THE WORLD ACCORDING TO GERRY ADAMS.

The recent strike by BBC journalists over the 'REAL LIVES' programme and the dispute at RTE over the interview with NORAID representative MARTIN GALVIN have focused world attention on Sinn Fein once again .MICHAEL KELLY spoke to Sinn Fein president GERRY ADAMS at interviews in Dublin and Belfast , conducted over the course of the past month .

From 'IN DUBLIN' magazine, August 1985 .

A wet morning in Belfast . The passengers who boarded the eight o' clock train in Dublin turn up their collars against the stubborn drizzle . The drivers of the big black taxis cluster in the concourse of Central Station looking for business - but not my sort of business : " The Falls, that's where you want to go ? " replies one taxi driver on hearing my destination . " Hang on a minute , we'll see if anyone will take you..."

Finally , after a careful examination , one of the dozen drivers agrees to take me there . Sammy , chatty but alert , says few other drivers would take you to West Belfast, and none operate there except the drivers of the Catholic taxis who operate a shuttle service up the Falls Road . Ten minutes later he drops me off with directions on how to reach the city centre on my return and where the best value is for shopping - " You want to watch out , you could get shot around here " , he says , joking . I think .

Sinn Fein's offices in Belfast are in a squat concrete building at 51-53 Falls Road , surrounded by steel grilles and barbed wire . The first step to entering is through an electrically-opened gate then , having been examined , through a heavy steel door . Down the hall there is a room with the notice - 'Ciuneas : rang ar siul' on the door . There the elderly drivers inspect the racing pages while they wait for parcels to be handed in to be brought to Long Kesh for IRA prisoners . Relatives bring newspapers and other items daily . Murals cover the walls of the office showing men in balaclavas and combat jackets carrying machine guns and tributes to 'the men behind the wire' are fixed to the wall beside them.......
(MORE LATER).



THE ACCUSING FINGER OF RAYMOND GILMOUR.
By NEIL McCAFFERTY.
From 'MAGILL' magazine, August 1983 .


Magistrate John Fyffe said dispassionately - " If there is any disruption by any member of the public , or any relative - any person guilty of disruption or harassment will be excluded from the court ." He sat back and the door in the wall to his right , a few steps up , opened : three men in civilian clothes came out and down , quickly , smoothly , and were in place below the magistrate , still on his right , within seconds . The third man was Raymond Gilmour.

He could not easily be seen from the body of the court . He sat into the chair in the witness box , effectively at ground level , and the two 'civilians' , members of the RUC Special Branch, stood shoulder to shoulder with their backs against the box , staring out and up into the body of the courtroom . The 28 prisoners in the raised dock , and their relatives packed into benches behind them - that rose even higher like seats in a football stand - were faced with a human curtain.......
(MORE LATER).



NEW DEPARTURES FOR SINN FEIN....... ?
Sinn Fein's recent election success in the North of Ireland have focussed attention on the Provisionals' new turn to political activity at local level . There have been parallel developments in the organisation in the 26 counties .
'GRALTON' magazine spoke to Paddy Bolger , Ard Comhairle member and National Organiser for Sinn Fein ,with special responsibility for Dublin , about the changed perspective .
From 'GRALTON' magazine , August/September 1983 .

'GRALTON' magazine : " Do you not recognise that this concern for electoral achievement imposes certain patterns of work and obligations to engage in 'service politics' ?* Is that a price you reckon you have to pay ?" ('1169...' Comment * ie 'Clientelism' , where a local political representative promises , for example , that he/she can get the street light outside your house fixed faster than the political rep from the other party : in other words , 'jobs' that can be organised by the house-holder themselves if they could be bothered . All Leinster House parties depend on 'Joe and Josephine Soap' NOT being bothered .)

PADDY BOLGER : " The problem that the left here and through-out Europe has to face is that in a non-revolutionary situation - and that's what we have in the 26 Counties - you can't always advance as far along the lines of your programme as you would like . We are very conscious of the dangers of slipping into reformism. At the moment , we are providing in Dublin what could be called a 'clientelism service' , but it is better and more principled (translation: '....we get it done quicker than the other crowd..' !) than the service which the other parties are providing , including the Workers' Party. We see this simply as a means of establishing our presence and our credibility in the areas . People are extremely cynical of all parties .

We do not believe that revolutionary sloganising , however correct its content , will produce results . ('1169...' Comment : depending on how you rate 'playing the constitutional game' [ie a 'success' or a 'distraction from the main issue'] this could or could not be described as "getting results" . We view it, and those pictured , as 'distractions' .) We are now building up our organisation to get ourselves accepted as a credible and locally informed organisation . But we see that only as the basis to build up agitational politics and would also hope to build a base for propaganda work , through publications , seminars and surveys at 26-County level . Our education programme is geared to preventing an influx of new members who don't have a definite ideology (...it didn't work!) but might be attracted to us because of the Northern successes .

We want to prevent such an influx blunting our revolutionary edge, but we have no fantasies about the possibilities for red revolution in the 26 Counties . We know it's a hard slog - the clientelist work is a principled service ('1169...' Comment - a "principled service" to assist in returning the 'server' to power!) , people are in need and even if we only provide a better service than the rest we will be accomplishing something . We need to develop , as the major left parties in Europe have done , an alternative constituency , a body of the working class who just don't accept the strategy that the other parties offer . "
(MORE LATER).

(Please note : we have had to enable the ' Captcha Settings' in our 'Guestbook' , by which we mean that those wishing to leave a comment in same must first verify that comment by copying text from a graphic and placing said text in a small box on the form . We have been plagued , in the last few days especially , by thousands of spam messages - mostly from car companies - and can find better use for the time it took us to delete those 'messages' . Apologises for any inconvenience caused....)

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Shameless 'PLUG AND PLEAD' Post .....!

'1169 And Counting....' has been nominated in the 'Best Political Blog' category of the 'Irish Blog Awards' competition : if you , the reader , deem us worthy of such a nomination , we would ask that you consider visiting this page and voting for us in said category . Voting closes at 5pm this Friday , February 16th . Also , a big 'Thank You!' to the Administrative panel and the members of the IRBB for the thread on that Board in support of our campaign (on the 'Alternative' part of the Board : 'log-in' required) : much appreciated ! Go raibh maith agat !

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THE SEEDS OF A POLICE STATE .......
There is substantial evidence that a major crime was perpetrated within the Garda Siochana five years ago .
The evidence for this crime has certainly been available to senior Gardai ever since then , but no enquiry whatsoever has taken place , let alone any Garda being disciplined in connection with that crime .
By Vincent Browne and Derek Dunne .
From 'MAGILL' magazine , September 1983 .

It is important for us to state that we are not alleging that any one of these Gardai were in any sense guilty of any wrongdoing , but we are drawing attention to the fact that these promotions took place without any enquiry whatsoever taking place into the very serious and convincing case that some of those Gardai may have been guilty of having ill-treated people in custody and participated in a plot to subvert the course of justice by conspiring to commit perjury .

The fact that the Gardai may have beaten up some people in custody is not of enormous significance to the 'body politic' , nor is even the likelihood that an innocent person (ie Nicky Kelly) may be in jail as a result of irregular Garda procedures : nor is the significance of the case in that a significant number of Gardai engaged in a plot to subvert the course of justice by planning to commit perjury - the primary significance of this case is that brutality , perjury and conspiracy could occur without any investigation taking place whatsoever or without any political controls being place on the Gardai as a result !

The conclusion must be that the Gardai are effectively outside normal political controls , able to engage in illegalities , even criminalities , without investigation , without restriction , even without censure . It has all the makings of a police state , if only in embryonic stage .
[END OF 'THE SEEDS OF A POLICE STATE']
(Next - 'THE WORLD ACCORDING TO GERRY ADAMS' : from 1985)


A PEOPLE'S ARMY .......
'IRIS' magazine talks to two active women Volunteers in the Irish Republican Army about their involvement , their political attitudes , and their observations on the role played by women in the liberation struggle. Both Volunteers are from the Free State , where they live , and are in their twenties . 'Mary' comes from a country area and has been in the IRA for six years ; 'Anne' comes from the city and joined the IRA about a year ago .
From 'IRIS' magazine , November 1982.

'IRIS' magazine : " Finally , what do you say to feminists who regard the national struggle as a diversion from their own struggle for women's rights ? "

MARY : " I suppose most of those who use that argument feel that the war in the North is not geared to getting the support and involvement of all women , they feel that we alienate a lot of women . To a small degree that's true , but I believe that the fight for women's rights cannot be separated , in Ireland , from the fight against imperialism , which has generated the oppression of Irish women . It's part of the system of social domination we've inherited from a foreign enemy ."

ANNE : " So women have a dual role to play in the Movement : to fight imperialism and to educate the men . We're gradually breaking down these attitudes but it's a slow process breaking down several hundred years of mental oppression . "

[END of 'A PEOPLE'S ARMY']
(Next - 'THE ACCUSING FINGER OF RAYMOND GILMOUR' : from 1983)


NEW DEPARTURES FOR SINN FEIN....... ?
Sinn Fein's recent election success in the North of Ireland have focussed attention on the Provisionals' new turn to political activity at local level . There have been parallel developments in the organisation in the 26 counties .
'GRALTON' magazine spoke to Paddy Bolger , Ard Comhairle member and National Organiser for Sinn Fein ,with special responsibility for Dublin , about the changed perspective .
From 'GRALTON' magazine , August/September 1983 .

'GRALTON' magazine : " How would you measure success for this strategy a year from now ? Given that it is long-term , what would be a reasonable aspiration in your view ? "

PADDY BOLGER : " The aspirations are internal as well as external . We would hope in Dublin to be well organised in every local government constituency and we are organising at the moment on that basis . We are already organised reasonably well at cumann level in about two thirds of Dublin city and county . A couple of corporation seats in Dublin and Cork we would see as a major step forward . We don't expect to make a great big splash because of the hegemony of the other parties . We see the Workers' Party as a problem but not a major blockage . Working class support for Fianna Fail on the national question and trade union acceptance still of Fianna Fail's project for the economy are our major problems ."
(MORE LATER).

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Shameless 'PLUG AND PLEAD' Post .....!

'1169 And Counting....' has been nominated in the 'Best Political Blog' category of the 'Irish Blog Awards' competition : if you , the reader , deem us worthy of such a nomination , we would ask that you consider visiting this page and voting for us in said category . Voting closes at 5pm this Friday , February 16th . Go raibh maith agat !

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THE SEEDS OF A POLICE STATE .......
There is substantial evidence that a major crime was perpetrated within the Garda Siochana five years ago .
The evidence for this crime has certainly been available to senior Gardai ever since then , but no enquiry whatsoever has taken place , let alone any Garda being disciplined in connection with that crime .
By Vincent Browne and Derek Dunne .
From 'MAGILL' magazine , September 1983 .

Not alone was there no investigation of any kind into the very compelling prima facie evidence that Osgur Breathnach , Nicky Kelly and Brian McNally were beaten up by the Gardai and that a significant number of Gardai conspired to subvert the course of justice by plotting to commit perjury , but no safeguards were instituted to ensure that it would not happen again . This in spite of very specific recommendations by a (State) government-appointment commission .

But the story does not end there - of the 19 members of the Garda Siochana against whom allegations of ill-treatment were made in connection with the Sallins mail train robbery , the following is a progress report on some of their careers since then :

Detective Garda Thomas Ibar Dunne is now a Detective Sergeant ; Detective Sergeant Francis Campbell is now a Detective Inspector ; Detective Garda Thomas Boland is now a Detective Sergeant ; Detective Sergeant Patrick Culhane is now a Detective Inspector ; Detective Sergeant John J. McGroarty is now a Detective Inspector ; Detective Inspector Edward Ryan is now a Detective Superintendent ; Detective Sergeant Cavanan is now a Detective Inspector ; Detective Inspector Courtney is now a Detective Superintendent and Detective Garda Michael Finn and Detective Sergeant Patrick F. Cleary have not been promoted .

Thus at least eight of the 19 Gardai against whom allegations were made were promoted subsequently.......
(MORE LATER).



A PEOPLE'S ARMY .......
'IRIS' magazine talks to two active women Volunteers in the Irish Republican Army about their involvement , their political attitudes , and their observations on the role played by women in the liberation struggle. Both Volunteers are from the Free State , where they live , and are in their twenties . 'Mary' comes from a country area and has been in the IRA for six years ; 'Anne' comes from the city and joined the IRA about a year ago .
From 'IRIS' magazine , November 1982.

'IRIS' magazine : " Do you think that the war in the North of Ireland has led to the reduction of male domination in nationalist society , because of the role women have played ? "

MARY : " That's hard to answer , living here in the Free State , but from what I've seen of it , yes - it has . Women in the North have been liberated and involved of necessity . They've just woken up and found that their husbands have been arrested or imprisoned , and they have had to adapt themselves . Down here in the 26-counties there hasn't been the same progress . "
(MORE LATER).



NEW DEPARTURES FOR SINN FEIN....... ?
Sinn Fein's recent election success in the North of Ireland have focussed attention on the Provisionals' new turn to political activity at local level . There have been parallel developments in the organisation in the 26 counties .
'GRALTON' magazine spoke to Paddy Bolger , Ard Comhairle member and National Organiser for Sinn Fein ,with special responsibility for Dublin , about the changed perspective .
From 'GRALTON' magazine , August/September 1983 .

'GRALTON' magazine : " (...question continued..) You refer to 'the public' and to 'the people' . Do you have within the three-and-a-half million population strategic targets you are trying to reach ? "

PADDY BOLGER : " (...answer continued..) .....the rest of that class is probably at this stage , through the development of Fine Gael , committed to anti-national and , currently , monetarist positions . But there are sections of the people who could not be described as working class or small farmer who would not be reactionary on economic issues . Fianna Fail have , through mild social democratic policies , maintained that broad constituency of working class , petit bourgeois and small farming support .

That is the base that we would we be aiming at as well , primarily because they are the people who need to be given a project for a political and economic independence , with a socialist programme - not an ultra-Left programme , but a thoughtful socialist programme with a long-term objective . "
(MORE LATER).

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Shameless 'PLUG AND PLEAD' Post .....!

'1169 And Counting....' has been nominated in the 'Best Political Blog' category of the 'Irish Blog Awards' competition : if you , the reader , deem us worthy of such a nomination , we would ask that you consider visiting this page and vote for us in said category . Go raibh maith agat !

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THE SEEDS OF A POLICE STATE .......
There is substantial evidence that a major crime was perpetrated within the Garda Siochana five years ago .
The evidence for this crime has certainly been available to senior Gardai ever since then , but no enquiry whatsoever has taken place , let alone any Garda being disciplined in connection with that crime .
By Vincent Browne and Derek Dunne .
From 'MAGILL' magazine , September 1983 .

THE INACTION OF GERRY COLLINS.

The allegations of Garda Brutality in connection with the Sallins mail train robbery came to prominence most at the time of the Fianna Fail Ard Fheis in February 1977 - Fianna Fail was then in opposition .

Speaking on the RTE radio programme , the 'News At One-Thirty' on February 18 , 1977 , Gerard Collins said - " The Minister for Justice has a very grave responsibility to immediately set up a judicial enquiry into the allegations made and have the machinery there in operation ready at the push of a button to deal with allegations as they arise.....if there is any truth whatsoever in these allegations those who might be responsible for ill-treatment of persons in custody.....(the Minister should ensure)......would be disciplined as they should be . "

Four-and-a-half months later Gerard ('Gerry') Collins was (State) Minister for Justice himself : he made no attempt to institute an enquiry of any kind into the allegations that he had spoken of in February 1977 ! He did however establish in October 1977 a commission under (State) Justice Barra O Briain to make recommendations for the safeguard of persons in custody and to 'protect the good name of the Gardai' by the same safeguards : the O Briain Committee made a total of 23 recommendations - of these , only one has been implemented and that was only following a (State) Supreme Court judgement.......
(MORE LATER).



A PEOPLE'S ARMY .......
'IRIS' magazine talks to two active women Volunteers in the Irish Republican Army about their involvement , their political attitudes , and their observations on the role played by women in the liberation struggle. Both Volunteers are from the Free State , where they live , and are in their twenties . 'Mary' comes from a country area and has been in the IRA for six years ; 'Anne' comes from the city and joined the IRA about a year ago .
From 'IRIS' magazine , November 1982.

'IRIS' magazine : " How would you assess women's contribution to the struggle generally ? "

MARY : " Fantastic , given that there's so much against them . In the North it was always women that were out banging bin-lids at four and five in the morning , warning of the Brits coming into the area . Women tend to have more patience and they have the fighting and staying power to see things through . No matter how small their involvement they understand its importance . Looking back through history you have Constance Markievicz and the whole involvement of Cumann na mBan Volunteers, and now you have the women in Armagh Jail. They have always been active in every phase of the struggle ."

ANNE : " Because of the image the Movement tends to be given , women are inclined to think that unless you are out using a gun you're not in the IRA proper . That's wrong . Everything you do is important , no matter how small the thing - it's a vital part of the struggle , and no-one should ever be made to feel they're playing an inferior role . Everyone , doing any job - providing a call house or billet , collecting for the prisoners, doing political work, driving a car - it's part and parcel of the struggle . "
(MORE LATER).



NEW DEPARTURES FOR SINN FEIN....... ?
Sinn Fein's recent election success in the North of Ireland have focussed attention on the Provisionals' new turn to political activity at local level . There have been parallel developments in the organisation in the 26 counties .
'GRALTON' magazine spoke to Paddy Bolger , Ard Comhairle member and National Organiser for Sinn Fein ,with special responsibility for Dublin , about the changed perspective .
From 'GRALTON' magazine , August/September 1983 .

'GRALTON' magazine : " You refer to 'the public' and to 'the peoople' . Do you have within the three-and-a-half million population strategic targets you are trying to reach ? "

PADDY BOLGER : " We have two objectives : the principle one is to secure a British withdrawal ('1169...' Comment - it was , for some of us , in 1983 [and , indeed , still is] . But , for others, mere 'civil rights' from Westminster was the hidden agenda) and bring about a situation where self-determination can be asserted . In that area , we address ourselves to everybody in the 26 Counties , saying that the Six County state is irreformable and that the policy of compromise with the Loyalists not only is not accepted by the Loyalists but has failed, as history has proven.

We also have a social objective and in terms of our social policies , we would be much more specific . We are aiming at the working class base and at the small farming base . We have in a strip along the Border and down through the west , a reasonable local government base in the real small farming community . That is likely to be sustained . Our main breakthrough , we believe , must be in Dublin and Cork . The middle class in the 26 Counties is affected by factionism and the professional middle class veers between Fianna Fail and Fine Gael depending on whether the national question is a major issue at the time . And we address ourselves to them on the national question , on civil liberties and on the general issue of economic sovereignty ......." (....will finish reply in next post..)
(MORE LATER).

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THE SEEDS OF A POLICE STATE .......
There is substantial evidence that a major crime was perpetrated within the Garda Siochana five years ago .
The evidence for this crime has certainly been available to senior Gardai ever since then , but no enquiry whatsoever has taken place , let alone any Garda being disciplined in connection with that crime .
By Vincent Browne and Derek Dunne .
From 'MAGILL' magazine , September 1983 .

(Garda D) gave his version of events :

" On the way , Plunkett said - 'You fixed that nicely .' Garda B replied - ' Is it not true that you were free and you asked to go back to collect property .' Plunkett replied - 'That's right.' I then said - ' I don't know what you are talking about but I can assure you of one thing , we fixed nothing . What are you talking about anyway .'

Plunkett replied - 'A man in there has identified me as being one of the men in his home on the night of the robbery .' I replied - 'Is that so .' (Garda B) said to Plunkett - ' Now it was you who delayed leaving the station .' Plunkett replied - ' That's right , it's my hard luck , I suppose . I'm finished now.' Neither (Garda B) or I made any reply to this . "

The Book of Evidence in the case is littered with examples of these amazing similarities in Garda statements . One of the Gardai who gave one of the above statements was asked in cross-examination how there was such surprising similarity between his statement and that of another Garda : he replied that it was a "...pure coincidence.." . The identicity of the Garda statements is such as to suggest yet a further conclusion - that not alone did a significant number of Gardai perjure themselves in the trial but that there was a conspiracy among certain Gardai to commit perjury ie to subvert the course of justice......
(MORE LATER).



A PEOPLE'S ARMY .......
'IRIS' magazine talks to two active women Volunteers in the Irish Republican Army about their involvement , their political attitudes , and their observations on the role played by women in the liberation struggle. Both Volunteers are from the Free State , where they live , and are in their twenties . 'Mary' comes from a country area and has been in the IRA for six years ; 'Anne' comes from the city and joined the IRA about a year ago .
From 'IRIS' magazine , November 1982.

'IRIS' magazine : " Can the IRA do anything to encourage women to become involved in it ? "

MARY : " I wouldn't agree with a specific recruitment drive for women , but it is important that the IRA must always be consciously portrayed and publicly identified as an army of men and women Volunteers , a people's army . "

ANNE : " I see it as part of my role to try and bring more women into the Movement - all sections of the Movement . They might respond better than if they were approached by a man . If women see other women properly and fully involved it acts as an incentive for them to join ."
(MORE LATER).



NEW DEPARTURES FOR SINN FEIN....... ?
Sinn Fein's recent election success in the North of Ireland have focussed attention on the Provisionals' new turn to political activity at local level . There have been parallel developments in the organisation in the 26 counties .
'GRALTON' magazine spoke to Paddy Bolger , Ard Comhairle member and National Organiser for Sinn Fein ,with special responsibility for Dublin , about the changed perspective .
From 'GRALTON' magazine , August/September 1983 .

'GRALTON' magazine : " What has been happening within the organisation in the South , precisely to overcome this notion that the Provisionals' new radicalism * is a Northern phenomenon ? " ('1169...' Comment : From 1969 to 1986 the Provisional organisation was a true radical [ie outside the establishment system] Movement : the internal push by some within the group to become a constitutional political party was announced by those same people - and by 'sticky'-type media people - as a "new radicalism" . Fianna Fail and the Workers Party used much the same vocabulary to describe and excuse their departure from the Republican Movement .)

PADDY BOLGER : " We have two problems in the South ; firstly , we do not have the mass community base that exists in the Six Counties for all the obvious historic reasons and for some political reasons . We are significant for the public's eye in relation to Northern events . So , we are going through a major internal re-organisation to switch from mainly propaganda activity in relation to the North to structuring the movement in order to face local issues and political issues in the South . We now have a much more developed education programme to motivate our members .

We recognise that the political parties we are opposing don't just fool the people at election time - they actually have a real domination for instance of tenants' organisation - Fianna Fail ideology , in particular , dominates the individual members - and our first task here is to improve the public's perception of us , first of all by refining our policies and bringing them down to earth * , and secondly , by the hard slog of local organisation and by principled work on issues convincing people that our analysis is correct . ('1169....' Comment * : .....read that to mean - ' We will change our current political position to suit those who may be interested in joining our organisation' - since they left the Republican Movement in 1986 , Provisional Sinn Fein has changed its political position to such an extent that they have attracted members from organisations as diverse [?] as Fianna Fail and the RUC!)

Having broken through on that basis , we would want to make the Northern issue * count , less on the basis of moral condemnation , of those who have ignored it , but by saying particularly to Fianna Fail voters: the party's policies have not worked , the hope for British goodwill is misplaced. ('1169...' Comment * - ...it's an issue of concern to the whole isle , and should not be described as a 'Northern issue' , especially by a republican.) We have not changed our basic position but we have amended our approach for putting it to the people....... "
(MORE LATER).

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THE SEEDS OF A POLICE STATE .......
There is substantial evidence that a major crime was perpetrated within the Garda Siochana five years ago .
The evidence for this crime has certainly been available to senior Gardai ever since then , but no enquiry whatsoever has taken place , let alone any Garda being disciplined in connection with that crime .
By Vincent Browne and Derek Dunne .
From 'MAGILL' magazine , September 1983 .

(Garda C) made a statement in relation to the same incident -

" As we moved away from Harcourt Terrace , (Michael) Plunkett said 'You fixed that nicely' and (Garda B) replied - ' Is it not true that you were free and you asked to go back to collect property? ' and Plunkett said ' That's right' . (Garda D) then said - 'I don't know what you're talking about , but I can assure you one thing , we fixed nothing . What are you talking about anyway ? '

Plunkett replied - 'A man in there has identified me as being one of the men in his home on the night of the robbery .' (Garda D) asked is that so . (Garda B) said to Plunkett - 'It was you who delayed leaving the station .' Plunkett said - 'That's right , it's my hard luck I am finished now after that.' They then had a general conversation... "

Another Garda - 'Garda D' - then gave his version of events.......
(MORE LATER).



A PEOPLE'S ARMY .......
'IRIS' magazine talks to two active women Volunteers in the Irish Republican Army about their involvement , their political attitudes , and their observations on the role played by women in the liberation struggle. Both Volunteers are from the Free State , where they live , and are in their twenties . 'Mary' comes from a country area and has been in the IRA for six years ; 'Anne' comes from the city and joined the IRA about a year ago .
From 'IRIS' magazine , November 1982.


'IRIS' magazine : " What sort of social problems face young women who get involved in the IRA ? "

MARY : " If the Volunteer is a married woman , and her husband isn't in the Army , the situation is obviously a lot harder to cope with than if it's the other way round . Though I would say that it's incorrect to say that the family comes second . If you look at the war in Vietnam , the women fighters went out with their children on their backs . We are fighting for our children . If your family's not vitally important then you have to ask what you are fighting for . Even if we don't benefit from what we're fighting for* , our children will ." (*'1169...' Comment - holiday homes , salaries and expenses from Leinster House , Stormont and Westminster , a jet-setting lifestyle: no Volunteer , male or female , purposely set out to obtain financial benefit for those associated politically with them but that is what has happened thanks to those Provisional Volunteers.)

ANNE : " Well , obviously you are not able to make definite arrangements as regards meeting people , going out , etc . It really depends on how involved a woman Volunteer is but , anyway , you are made aware of what your commitment will mean , before you actually become an IRA Volunteer , so it's up to you ."
(MORE LATER).


NEW DEPARTURES FOR SINN FEIN....... ?
Sinn Fein's recent election success in the North of Ireland have focussed attention on the Provisionals' new turn to political activity at local level . There have been parallel developments in the organisation in the 26 counties .
'GRALTON' magazine spoke to Paddy Bolger , Ard Comhairle member and National Organiser for Sinn Fein ,with special responsibility for Dublin , about the changed perspective .
From 'GRALTON' magazine , August/September 1983 .

'GRALTON' magazine : " Do you think the memory of what has happened the Officials in the late 1960's was in some people's minds as well ? "

PADDY BOLGER : " Some people went further back than that , even , and looked at Fianna Fail, but the gradual development - and it could be called that , rather than a dramatic change - took several years , through a process of debate and education . The people who were dubious about these moves were quite sincere in their doubts , but there has been an acceptance at the last few Ard Fheiseanna that the strategy that had been unfolding is correct and what's wrong with people who go into Leinster House and betray and what's wrong with politicians who renage even on the partition question , not to mention armed action against the British, is that their ideology was bad before their tactics were bad . What was wrong with the Officials , for instance , was that they wanted to reform the Six Counties .

Our attitude is that as long as our basic republicanism is not diluted we have no reason to fear for the future . The new outlook is accepted throughout the organisation . It's not just a question of a few radicals* in Belfast holding these views . " ('1169...' Comment * - as it turns out , those 'Belfast radicals' were looking for civil rights from the British rather than national freedom !)
(MORE LATER).

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The following post should have been posted on Friday 2nd February last - however , due to what we will delicately call 'complications' which began on Thursday 1st February caused by the forced switch to the 'New' Blogger format we were unable to access the Administration Panel of this blog . We spent hours each day (Thursday , Friday and Saturday) attempting to fix the problem ourselves and contacting 'Blogger Support' . After almost twenty e-mails and 'request for support' tickets sent to the Blogger Team we finally received a reply - asking us to rate their 'Customer Support' 'service' !

As stated previously , our resident wannabe Nano-Scientist , 'Junior' , eventually fixed the problem* by "...allowing a sub-frame across a different domain.." or something ! For now , anyway , it seems all is back to normal at '1169 Towers'....
(*hopefully...)


THE SEEDS OF A POLICE STATE .......
There is substantial evidence that a major crime was perpetrated within the Garda Siochana five years ago .
The evidence for this crime has certainly been available to senior Gardai ever since then , but no enquiry whatsoever has taken place , let alone any Garda being disciplined in connection with that crime .
By Vincent Browne and Derek Dunne .
From 'MAGILL' magazine , September 1983 .

(Garda B) made a statement in relation to that incident :
" Plunkett said 'You fixed that nicely' and I said 'Is it not true that you were free and you asked to go back and collect property' and he replied 'That's right' . (Garda D) then said - 'I don't know what you are talking about but I can assure you of one thing , we fixed nothing , what are you talking about anyway.'

Plunkett replied 'A man in there has identified me as being one of the men in his home on the night of the robbery.' (Garda D) said ' Is that so.' I then said to Plunkett - 'It was you who delayed leaving the station' . He said 'That's right , its my hard luck , I am finished now after that.' They then had a general conversation... "

The statement from (Garda C) is next : it should be compared to the previous two Garda statements which we have published.......
(MORE LATER).



A PEOPLE'S ARMY .......
'IRIS' magazine talks to two active women Volunteers in the Irish Republican Army about their involvement , their political attitudes , and their observations on the role played by women in the liberation struggle. Both Volunteers are from the Free State , where they live , and are in their twenties . 'Mary' comes from a country area and has been in the IRA for six years ; 'Anne' comes from the city and joined the IRA about a year ago .
From 'IRIS' magazine , November 1982.

'IRIS' magazine : " How has your understanding of Irish society changed , relative to the views of people around you , since you joined the IRA ? "

ANNE : " My understanding of Irish society has changed immensely , from the double-standards and hypocrisy of the Catholic hierarchy to making me more conscious of my roots and culture . My family are members of Fianna Fail . They believe that Charlie Haughey is more an enemy of the Brits than the IRA ! They don't see beyond that . Since the Brits physically pulled out of the 26-counties they and people like them have been lulled into thinking the war ended in 1921 .

There's still a latent nationalism there but the only outlet many people have* is supporting people like Charlie Haughey whenever he seems to be , falsely , coming out against the Brits , as over the Malvinas and Prior's Assembly. (*1169...' Comment - ...it is not "the only outlet people have" ; rather , it is the outlet chosen by those who consider themselves to be 'polite nationalists' and/or those seeking to increase their business connections in the richest 'Club' in the State.) It's got to be a priority for republicans in the Free State to work to expose bogus republicanism in the eyes of the people , and to convince them that people like Charlie Haughey have no interest in ever confronting British imperialism . "
(MORE LATER).



NEW DEPARTURES FOR SINN FEIN....... ?
Sinn Fein's recent election success in the North of Ireland have focussed attention on the Provisionals' new turn to political activity at local level . There have been parallel developments in the organisation in the 26 counties .
'GRALTON' magazine spoke to Paddy Bolger , Ard Comhairle member and National Organiser for Sinn Fein ,with special responsibility for Dublin , about the changed perspective .
From 'GRALTON' magazine , August/September 1983 .

'GRALTON' magazine : " Was that a difficult process ? Did you have difficulties in dealing with the traditions , and maybe even a certain traditionalism in the organisation ? "

PADDY BOLGER : " It was more of a gradual process than a difficult one . In the early 1970's there was a definite belief , supported by some of the circumstances , that a short quick push would secure a British withdrawal . The fall of Stormont was one of the major factors to influence that kind of thinking . After the Loyalist workers' strike and the period of the cease-fire with the British , we saw that the British were not going to go and that the idea that they wanted to go and were simply looking for a way out was a false one .

We also saw that it was going to be a long process . Some people realised it in prison , other people realised it in their daily activity . We had to have a long-term strategy for political consolidation of the organisation . It was only when the movement in the North got over the effects of the Roy Mason repression that we were cohesive enough to come up with that kind of strategy . The broad front around the prison issue and the hunger strike was a fruit of that .

Some people were suspicious of what they saw to be political work . The movement has always had two extremes in the past - the constitutional extreme which ran away from radicalism of any description and tended to be strictly parliamentary and the military extreme which said : 'Keep your powder dry until the day you can rise and the opportunity presents itself.' The second of them may have been more legitimate in terms of anti-imperialism but in the end was still based on short-term activity only . "
(MORE LATER).

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Sunday , February 4 , 2007 .
TEST POST.
We have been locked-out of this blog since Wednesday 31 January last , due to issues with the 'New' Blogger format - see our comments re this issue here :
http://11sixtynine.blogsome.com/2007/02/03/end-of-days/

....our 'Junior' , who looks after the technical end of the business , has tweaked certain settings and functions and believes he has 'cured' the problem . If so , later on today we will attempt to publish the post which we should have published on Friday February 2nd .

Watch this space.......

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THE SEEDS OF A POLICE STATE .......
There is substantial evidence that a major crime was perpetrated within the Garda Siochana five years ago .
The evidence for this crime has certainly been available to senior Gardai ever since then , but no enquiry whatsoever has taken place , let alone any Garda being disciplined in connection with that crime .
By Vincent Browne and Derek Dunne .
From 'MAGILL' magazine , September 1983 .

THE CAREFUL PREPARATION OF EVIDENCE BY GARDAI :

There are copious examples of the Gardai having meticulously prepared their evidence for the Sallins mail train robbery trial ; these are in the book of evidence which contain the statements made by all the Gardai involved in the case , and the similarity of these statements is such as to suggest that there was a great deal of co-ordination of Garda evidence .

Take for instance the statements of several Gardai in relation to Michael Plunkett (one of those arrested) who was acquitted at an early stage during the trial at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin : take the statement of Garda A (we have been legally advised that we should not name the Gardai at this stage in our presentation) -

' As we moved away from Harcourt Terrace (Garda Station) , Michael Plunkett said "You fixed that nicely" , and (Garda B) said to him " Is it not true that you were free and you asked to go back to collect property " and Plunkett said "That's right" . (Garda D) then said " I don't know what you're talking about , but I can assure you one thing - we fixed nothing , what are you talking about anyway ? "

Plunkett replied - " A man in there has identified me as being one of the men in his home on the night of the robbery ." (Garda D) said " Is that so? " , and (Garda A) then said to Plunkett - " It was you who delayed leaving the station ." Plunkett replied - " That's right , it's my hard luck , I am finished after that ." They then had a general conversation after that ... ' That was Garda A's statement : three more Gardai gave statements and it is worth comparing the similarity of these.......
(MORE LATER).



A PEOPLE'S ARMY .......
'IRIS' magazine talks to two active women Volunteers in the Irish Republican Army about their involvement , their political attitudes , and their observations on the role played by women in the liberation struggle. Both Volunteers are from the Free State , where they live , and are in their twenties . 'Mary' comes from a country area and has been in the IRA for six years ; 'Anne' comes from the city and joined the IRA about a year ago .
From 'IRIS' magazine , November 1982.

'IRIS' magazine : " How has your IRA involvement changed your personal outlook ? "

MARY : " It has made me more conscious of other struggles and oppressive regimes all over the world , and of the need to fight all forms of oppression . "

ANNE : " It's made me realise that you don't have to accept things as they are . For instance , I see how more a politically uninvolved friend of mine is inclined to say - ' Well , what can you do about it ? That's the way things are...' My attitude is : ' Here's what you can do..' It's just a matter of saying 'I am not going to put up with this ' . "
(MORE LATER).



NEW DEPARTURES FOR SINN FEIN ?
Sinn Fein's recent election success in the North of Ireland have focussed attention on the Provisionals' new turn to political activity at local level . There have been parallel developments in the organisation in the 26 counties .
'GRALTON' magazine spoke to Paddy Bolger , Ard Comhairle member and National Organiser for Sinn Fein ,with special responsibility for Dublin , about the changed perspective .
From 'GRALTON' magazine , August/September 1983 .

'GRALTON' magazine : " We have heard a lot about Sinn Fein's more serious involvement in constituency work in the North . Is there something similar happening in the 26 Counties ? Are you now planning for the local and European elections next year ? "

PADDY BOLGER : " There have been major developments in our political appreciation of the situation in the country over the last few years . The basis of this is the realisation that military action and political action purely in support of that were not sufficient , to build a base even for national liberation and the realisation that sloganising about socialism and relating it to a vision of a better future and to some magical formula which would work itself out when the British withdrew , were not a sound basis on which to build a conscious mass movement . ('1169...' Comment - can a [revolutionary] "mass movement" be built on actions such as joining and supporting the RUC/PSNI and all that such a move entails ?)

The developments that have taken place in the movement are general , and not confined to the North . A lot is due to the fact that the people who were young activists in the early 1970's , some of them in the late 1960's , have by a natural progression moved into more prominent positions . ('1169... ' Comment - .... and , obviously , developed a taste for "prominent positions" , regardless of where such positions are located!) For the first time in decades , republicans have had the opportunity through this long struggle , on a sound minimum basis , to develop our politics not abstractly but in experience . " ('1169...' Comment - 'republican politics' never included jettisoning core principles in order to make the organisation more politically 'attractive' to its opponents.)
(MORE LATER).

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THE SEEDS OF A POLICE STATE .......
There is substantial evidence that a major crime was perpetrated within the Garda Siochana five years ago .
The evidence for this crime has certainly been available to senior Gardai ever since then , but no enquiry whatsoever has taken place , let alone any Garda being disciplined in connection with that crime .
By Vincent Browne and Derek Dunne .
From 'MAGILL' magazine , September 1983 .

The Gardai against whom allegations of ill-treatment were made against in relation to the Sallins mail train robbery are :
Detective Garda Thomas Ibar Dunne / Detective Garda Michael Finn / Detective Garda Kieran P. Lawlor / Detective Sergeant Patrick F. Cleary / Detective Sergeant Patrick Culhane / Detective Garda Patrick Raftery / Detective Sergeant John J. McGroarty / Detective Garda Fitzgerald / Detective Inspector Murphy / Detective Inspector John Courtney /

Detective Superintendent Francis Campbell / Detective Garda William Maher / Detective Garda Thomas Boland / Detective Garda Joseph Egan / Detective Garda John Jordan / Detective Garda Felix McKenna / Detective Inspector Edward Ryan / Detective Garda John Hegarty and Detective Sergeant Cavanan .

It is important for us to establish at this stage that we are not alleging that all Gardai who gave evidence perjured themselves , nor are we alleging that the 19 Gardai against whom allegations of ill-treatment were made were in fact each guilty of ill-treatment . It is quite possible - indeed , quite likely - that many of the Gardai who gave evidence knew nothing about what was going on .

Furthermore it is both quite possible and quite likely that many of the Gardai accused of ill-treatment were in fact innocent of the charge . But what we are saying is that it seems certain that a significant number of Gardai did perjure themselves during the course of the trial.......
(MORE LATER).



A PEOPLE'S ARMY .......
'IRIS' magazine talks to two active women Volunteers in the Irish Republican Army about their involvement , their political attitudes , and their observations on the role played by women in the liberation struggle. Both Volunteers are from the Free State , where they live , and are in their twenties . 'Mary' comes from a country area and has been in the IRA for six years ; 'Anne' comes from the city and joined the IRA about a year ago .
From 'IRIS' magazine , November 1982.

'IRIS' magazine : " Although as an organisation the IRA has a sound attitude to the role of women in the struggle , obviously the attitudes of some of its Volunteers mirror those of society in general . Do you think it reflects on their ability as Volunteers if men retain sexist attitudes towards women ? "

MARY : " It's a terrible weakness in some male Volunteers . If they have sexist attitudes I quite honestly don't think they should be Volunteers at all . It's the same as any Volunteer taking a discriminatory line against any section of the community that's already discriminated against . "

ANNE : " To me it would seem they do not understand the nature of the struggle , not just for a British withdrawal but for setting up a democratic socialist republic where men and women are equal . It is through the struggle that they should overcome their sexist attitudes . "
(MORE LATER).



" COMRADES , BROTHERS AND SISTERS ......."
Kerry Dougherty talks to Michael O'Riordan about fifty years of Irish Communism.
From 'MAGILL' magazine, June 1983 .

" People are going to find that they can't keep patching up the capitalist system . It just isn't patchable , " says Michael O' Riordan , " Dick Spring thinks it is , but he's going to find out otherwise . "

The Irish communists are widely criticised for being the most Stalinist and pro-Soviet in the Western world . When asked whether that was an accurate description , Michael O' Riordan replied : " If I were asked that in a court of law where I had to answer I would plead guilty . Proudly guilty to being the most Stalinist . Make sure you put down that I said that with a smile ! "

An exhibition of photographs and paintings , depicting the history of Irish communism is now on display in the New Book Shop off Parliament Street in Dublin, and other anniversary activities include several lectures which are being scheduled through the shop .
[END of 'COMRADES , BROTHERS AND SISTERS']
(Next - 'NEW DEPARTURES FOR SINN FEIN ?' : from 1983)

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"HISTORIC!"
"D-DAY!"
"BRIGHTER FUTURE!"


.......some of the words used today by those who gathered in a venue in Dublin 4 known as the 'Royal Dublin Society ' to 'debate' (ie pass a motion) on how much support to give , for now , to a British 'police force' on Irish soil ! And they picked (and 'packed...!) the venue well , as those who gathered there (some of whose leaders are pictured here , after the vote...!) are members of a Leinster House-registered political party which has an association with two 'parliaments' on Irish soil which were 'established' with the consent of British 'Royals' : Leinster House and Stormont.

In reality , what happened today is seen by this blog as simply another Leinster House political party (albeit one with a faint sniff of sulphur from it!) 'playing [constitutional] ball' with its buddies and financial backers in the various 'establishments' (ie Washington , London and Dublin) and attempting to become more 'mainstream' . They continue to insist that they are 'rebels' , 'revolutionaries' and 'socialists' but , truth be told , they are, at best , trained house pets , politically and financially controlled and directed by Washington , London and Dublin . Their ranks are swollen with 'angry nationalists' who felt it safe to join them after they turned constitutional in 1986 rather than the SDLP and/or Fianna Fail , as both of those political parties had not been quick enough in obtaining 'civil rights' for them . And that, readers , is the objective of the PSF ('Please Stoop Further') party - to secure a "brighter future" under British jurisdiction for Irish citizens living in the occupied Six Counties . And , of course , all the better when they will be comfortably salaried to do so by Westminster and Leinster House !
Ní Seoiníni Sinn Go Léir!

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BLOODY SUNDAY PICKET , SATURDAY JANUARY 27, 2007 .

After a peaceful Civil Rights march on January 30 , 1972 - from Creggan to Free Derry Corner - units of the British army Parachute Regiment opened fire with automatic rifles and shot dead 13 unarmed civilians , injuring many more . It was later revealed that some days prior to the massacre , the British soldiers involved had been briefed to "...shoot to kill.." at the march .

" This Sunday became known as 'Bloody Sunday' and bloody it was . It was quite unnecessary . It strikes me that the (British) army ran amok that day and shot without thinking of what they were doing . They were shooting innocent people . They may have been taking part in a parade which was banned , but that did not justify the troops coming in and firing live rounds indiscriminately . I would say without reservations that it was sheer unadulterated murder . It was murder , gentlemen . "
- the words of British Major Hubert O'Neill , Derry City Coroner, at the conclusion of the inquests on the 13 people killed by the British Army .
Today , Saturday January 27 , a picket to mark the 35th Anniversary of that massacre will be held at the GPO in Dublin , from 12 Noon to 1.45pm . All welcome !

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THE SEEDS OF A POLICE STATE .......
There is substantial evidence that a major crime was perpetrated within the Garda Siochana five years ago .
The evidence for this crime has certainly been available to senior Gardai ever since then , but no enquiry whatsoever has taken place , let alone any Garda being disciplined in connection with that crime .
By Vincent Browne and Derek Dunne .
From 'MAGILL' magazine , September 1983 .

Amongst the Gardai involved in the course of the Sallins mail train robbery trial were :
Detective Sergeant Michael Egan / Garda Peter P. Cavanan / Detective Sergeant Bernard Cullen / Detective Garda Gerard O' Carroll / Chief Superintendent Anthony McMahon / Garda A. Keane / Detective Garda Joseph Holland / Detective Garda John Jordan / Detective Inspector Richard Murphy / Detective Garda Michael Noonan / Sergeant Martin J. Dowling / Detective Sergeant Thomas Boland / Detective Garda Patrick Raftery /

Detective Sergeant Thomas King / Sergeant James Dolan / Garda James G. Keogh / Garda Brian McGauran / Garda Patrick Fitzgerald / Detective Garda J. Naughton / Detective Garda James Butler and Sergeant William John Fennessy .

There is another list - one which contains the names and rank of those members of the Gardai against whom allegations of ill-treatment were made : 19 names in all.......
(MORE LATER).



A PEOPLE'S ARMY .......
'IRIS' magazine talks to two active women Volunteers in the Irish Republican Army about their involvement , their political attitudes , and their observations on the role played by women in the liberation struggle. Both Volunteers are from the Free State , where they live , and are in their twenties . 'Mary' comes from a country area and has been in the IRA for six years ; 'Anne' comes from the city and joined the IRA about a year ago .
From 'IRIS' magazine , November 1982.

'IRIS' magazine : " It's sometimes said (by women probably!) that , once involved , women make more dedicated revolutionaries than men because of their double oppression , the 'slaves of slaves' . What do you think ? "

MARY : " The way women are oppressed in our society would make me rebel against it . I can't say there is usually any conscious effort on my part to link the war with the fight against women's oppression , but the two are integrally related . I think it's true that when male Volunteers are going out on an operation they have in one sense less to lose . Women have a home or the prospects of a home to lose ('1169...' Comment - ....so have the male Volunteers !) and , if a male Volunteer is captured he still has his wife and family at home ('1169...' Comment - ...meaning what ? That a husband won't 'wait around' ? Rubbish!) : so , yes -in a lot of cases I think women do make more dedicated revolutionaries . " ('1169...' Comment -...perhaps , in some cases , and perhaps not . But not for the reasons listed by 'Mary' .)

ANNE : " I would agree with Mary in that the two struggles , national liberation and women's liberation , are integrally related . From my own point of view I cannot say that I am more dedicated than the male Volunteers I work with . "
(MORE LATER).



" COMRADES , BROTHERS AND SISTERS ......."
Kerry Dougherty talks to Michael O'Riordan about fifty years of Irish Communism.
From 'MAGILL' magazine, June 1983 .

Although he is reluctant to speak of his own family , Michael O' Riordan , who is a father and grandfather , admits that should any of his offspring develop a capitalistic leaning he would object as strongly as his parents had when he first became a communist - " I'd send for a psychiatrist , " he says .

To ensure that there will be a next generation of Irish communists , the party has started communist youth groups which serve as a sort of 'communist boy scout'-organisation for the children of party members . For these up-and-coming young communists , Mr O' Riordan says he believes they will have a more active role to play in history than did his generation which was plagued by the Cold War .

The fact that 66 years after the Russian Revolution there is a growing global trend toward socialist states encourages him in his hopes for Irish communism.......
(MORE LATER).

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BLOODY SUNDAY PICKET , SATURDAY JANUARY 27, 2007 .

After a peaceful Civil Rights march on January 30 , 1972 - from Creggan to Free Derry Corner - units of the British army Parachute Regiment opened fire with automatic rifles and shot dead 13 unarmed civilians , injuring many more . It was later revealed that some days prior to the massacre , the British soldiers involved had been briefed to "...shoot to kill.." at the march .

" This Sunday became known as 'Bloody Sunday' and bloody it was . It was quite unnecessary . It strikes me that the (British) army ran amok that day and shot without thinking of what they were doing . They were shooting innocent people . They may have been taking part in a parade which was banned , but that did not justify the troops coming in and firing live rounds indiscriminately . I would say without reservations that it was sheer unadulterated murder . It was murder , gentlemen . "
- the words of British Major Hubert O'Neill , Derry City Coroner, at the conclusion of the inquests on the 13 people killed by the British Army .
On Saturday , January 27 next , a picket to mark the 35th Anniversary of that massacre will be held at the GPO in Dublin , from 12 Noon to 1.45pm . All welcome !

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THE SEEDS OF A POLICE STATE .......
There is substantial evidence that a major crime was perpetrated within the Garda Siochana five years ago .
The evidence for this crime has certainly been available to senior Gardai ever since then , but no enquiry whatsoever has taken place , let alone any Garda being disciplined in connection with that crime .
By Vincent Browne and Derek Dunne .
From 'MAGILL' magazine , September 1983 .

Amongst the Gardai involved in the course of the Sallins mail train robbery trial were :

Garda Noel Ryan / Garda Philip Bowe / Sergeant John M. Freeman / Garda James Galvin / Superintendent Patrick Casey / Detective Garda Thomas Fitzgerald / Detective Garda O. Fitzsimons / Detective Inspector John Murphy / Garda Noel McGuire / Garda Joseph Calnan / Detective Sergeant P.F. Cleary / Detective Sergeant Joseph Collins / Detective Sergeant John J. McGroarty / Detective Garda Michael Mullen /

Detective Garda Patrick Waters / Detective Inspector James McPartland / Detective Garda Fintan Dunne / Detective Sergeant Patrick Byrne / Detective Garda Patrick Looby / Garda George Callanan / Garda Francis King / Garda Eric Lynch / Sergeant M. Purtill / Sergeant Carey / Detective Garda John Jordan / Garda John Hyland / Garda Patrick J. Delaney / Garda Joseph Callanan / Garda Alphonsus King / Ex-Superintendent Patrick Flaherty /
(MORE LATER).



A PEOPLE'S ARMY .......
'IRIS' magazine talks to two active women Volunteers in the Irish Republican Army about their involvement , their political attitudes , and their observations on the role played by women in the liberation struggle. Both Volunteers are from the Free State , where they live , and are in their twenties . 'Mary' comes from a country area and has been in the IRA for six years ; 'Anne' comes from the city and joined the IRA about a year ago .
From 'IRIS' magazine , November 1982.

'IRIS' magazine : " Since you joined the IRA , have you been allowed to play an equal role alongside male Volunteers ? "

MARY : " Yes , very much so . Everyone just has to do the job , there's never any question of 'oh , we'll have to leave her at home' . "

ANNE : " Since I joined the Army I have been allowed to play an equal role with the rest of the Volunteers in my unit . I'd expect it to be so . I received the same amount of training as my comrades did , so why should I take less risks than them ? It wouldn't be fair to them or me . "
(MORE LATER).



" COMRADES , BROTHERS AND SISTERS ......."
Kerry Dougherty talks to Michael O'Riordan about fifty years of Irish Communism.
From 'MAGILL' magazine, June 1983 .

To Michael O' Riordan and the other old-timers in the Communist Party , these seemingly small changes in public attitudes towards the party are the things they point to when asked to cite their major accomplishments . They admit that trying to promote communism , in one of the most Catholic and conservative nations in the West , has not always been easy :

" If you look at our members you'll find a lot of older people , about my age , and quite a few young members , but we did miss out on the middle-aged . They were all scared away by the Cold War ," he says . His own baptism into communism is interesting - especially considering he was born into a devout Catholic family in Cork in 1917 . By the age of 17 he had read James Connolly - whom he calls the first Irish communist - and was won over by the man's beliefs .

In 1934 , over the protestations of his parents , young Michael O' Riordan came to Dublin and joined the fledging Communist Party of Ireland : three years later he left Ireland to fight in the Spanish Civil War, returned when the war was over and devoted the next 40 years promoting the Communist cause in Ireland.......
(MORE LATER).

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THE SEEDS OF A POLICE STATE .......
There is substantial evidence that a major crime was perpetrated within the Garda Siochana five years ago .
The evidence for this crime has certainly been available to senior Gardai ever since then , but no enquiry whatsoever has taken place , let alone any Garda being disciplined in connection with that crime .
By Vincent Browne and Derek Dunne .
From 'MAGILL' magazine , September 1983 .

PERJURY BY SOME OF THE 82 :
In the course of the Sallins mail train robbery trial a total of 82 Gardai gave evidence - allegations of ill-treatment were made against 19 of them : every one of them denied ill-treating any of the accused or being in any way aware that any of the accused were ill-treated by other Gardai . The Gardai who gave evidence in the trial were :

Garda John Murphy / Detective Garda Thomas Connolly / Garda Pierce Freaney / Detective Garda James Grehan / Detective Garda Michael Drew / Detective Garda William Maher / Detective Garda Adrian O' Hara / Garda Thomas B. Fitzgerald / Detective Superintendent John Courtney / Detective Inspector Edward Ryan / Sergeant William Ryan / Assistant Commissioner John P. Fleming / Detective Sergeant Patrick Culhane / Detective Garda Joseph Egan / Chief Superintendent John J. Joy .

Garda James Heffernan / Superintendent Hubert Reynolds / Detective Garda Gabriel McCarthy / Detective Inspector F.J. Campbell / Detective Garda Thomas Ibar Dunne / Detective Garda Kieran P. Lawlor / Detective Garda Felix McKenna / Detective Inspector Myles P. Hawkshaw / Detective Inspector Cavanan / Sergeant Patrick Bohan / Detective Sergeant Patrick J. Sullivan / Sergeant Luke Padden / Detective Garda Michael Finn / Detective Inspector Vincent McGrath / Superintendent Patrick Casey .
(MORE LATER).



A PEOPLE'S ARMY .
'IRIS' magazine talks to two active women Volunteers in the Irish Republican Army about their involvement , their political attitudes , and their observations on the role played by women in the liberation struggle. Both Volunteers are from the Free State , where they live , and are in their twenties . 'Mary' comes from a country area and has been in the IRA for six years ; 'Anne' comes from the city and joined the IRA about a year ago .
From 'IRIS' magazine , November 1982.

'IRIS' magazine : "First of all , could you explain why you got involved in the republican struggle ?"

Anne : " As I didn't come from a republican family it wasn't until I was 19 that I first began to identify with the Republican Movement , and that was mainly through meeting people who explained why there was a war taking place in the North . When I realised the degree of oppression there was , and the fact that it was primarily the IRA that was opposing it , I felt I should do something to help . Gradually I became more involved and decided to join the Army ."

Mary : "For me it was different because I come from an extremely republican area and from a republican family , so I never thought twice about becoming involved . I was aware of Free State repression as well as Brit repression in the North . First of all I was approached about joining Cumann na mBan, but there were a group of us getting involved at the time , boys and girls , and we all knew each other and went round with each other , and we thought why should any of us be different . We thought we should all be in the same army , so there was a conscious decision on my part to join the IRA rather than Cumann na mBan . "
(MORE LATER).



" COMRADES , BROTHERS AND SISTERS ......."
Kerry Dougherty talks to Michael O'Riordan about fifty years of Irish Communism.
From 'MAGILL' magazine, June 1983 .

Not only were Irish communists denounced by the Catholic Church but they were followed by the Special Branch and listened to through phone taps .

" Back in the fifties the Church said you couldn't even read a party paper , " he recalls with a smile . " When I ran for Leinster House back in 1951 - in the Dublin South-West constituency - the Bishop declared that to vote for O' Riordan was a mortal sin ! Times have changed , however , and today you have priests fighting side by side with the communists in El Salvador and no-one ever blesses themselves when they see me coming down the street and believe me , they used to do that ! "

Michael O' Riordan says he knew for certain things had changed when he was asked to address a group of priests and nuns in Maynooth about communism recently . The only problem he encountered was what to call the assembled ; as a communist , he couldn't , in good conscience , greet the group with references to Church hierarchy , and he feared they would be offended if he simply called them comrades . " So I settled on 'comrades , sisters and brothers...' " , he says with a smile.......
(MORE LATER).

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