From Provisional S/F to RNU

Irish Socialist-Republicanism played a pivotal role throughout the history of my family. My Great Grandfather Camillus, had been a National Volunteer prior to the Outbreak of the Great War in 1914. He believed Nationalist Leaders when they promised that Westminster would give Ireland Home Rule, if the Volunteers helped the British War effort. Like thousands of others he signed up and fought in France. Sadly, he was gassed by the German Army in 1916 and was buried thousands of miles from home. His family of eleven were left to pick up the pieces in the Oldpark area of North Belfast. One of his Son's Martin, was active in the IRA in the Thirties and Forties and spent 12 years in an English prison. 


One of Martin's closest friend's Jimmy Meehan from Ardoyne, married his sister Annie. Jimmy and his Brothers, Joe and Paddy were Dockers in Belfast and very active in Trade Unionism. Jimmy was a Shop-Steward and Joe went onto hold senior positions in the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU). Jimmy also joined the IRA and was Interned in Crumlin Road Gaol for the duration of the Second World War.


Before the outbreak of serious Conflict in 1969, my Father was also an active Trade Unionist and committed to achieving social and economic justice for the working-class. He also had joined the IRA in 1966, because of it's dedication to the liberation of Ireland and the working-class. The attacks on those demanding Civil Rights, killings of Ardoyne residents, countless injuries and the burnings of hundreds of homes by the RUC and Unionist Gangs. Convinced Dad and other Volunteers that Imperialists had orchestrated vicious attacks on the working-class. The Republican Leadership had misread the situation and the Movement split with the majority joining the Provisionals. 

Sammy McLarnon

killed by the RUC

Ardoyne soon became a Provisional IRA stronghold and visitors to our home on a daily basis were either members of Cumann Na mBan, Na Fianna Eireann and Volunteers. They called for help and advice as my Father was for much of the Seventies the local Commander or Officer Commanding (O/C).  Our family paid a high price for his involvement in the Struggle with regular House-Raids, Beatings, a Prison escape, Internment, visits and a lengthy Hunger-Strike. It all took its toll and my Mother died from Stomach Cancer in October, 1977 at the age of 34. She left three devastated children behind. Dad was framed by a British Informer and was given another lengthy prison sentence in 1979, he protested his innocence even to the extent of spending 66 days on Hunger-Strike but to no avail. He remained in the H-Blocks until late 1985, when he returned to full Active Service with the Provisionals.

 

That was the same year that I joined Provisional Sinn Fein. I had helped the Movement out on a number of occasions during various Elections in Ardoyne and other areas in North Belfast. At the time I was still at Secondary School but felt it was my duty to spread the Republican message to as many people as possible. A number of my friends also helped the Party, delivering leaflets, painting graffiti and erecting posters on hundreds of lampposts. 

Most of my mates had been badly affected by the 1980 and 1981 Hunger-Strikes and became politically motivated as a result of the period. The unprovoked killing of Ardoyne Youth, Danny Barrett in July, 1981 by the British Army only added to our commitment. We felt badly for his family and did not believe the excuses coming from the Brits and RUC. I and a few others had wanted to join the Republican-Socialist Movement because of its linking the National and Class Struggles. Particularly with the ongoing Campaign by Maggie Thatcher and her Party against ordinary people. Nine months after my Dad's release, he was again arrested and sentenced to 15 years inside.

Danny Barrett (15)

killed by the

British Army

We spoke to a number of senior Provisionals in the area who eventually convinced us that the IRA had enough weapons, manpower and expertise to successfully secure National, Social and Economic freedom for the Irish people. We questioned these Volunteers about the recent split with Republican Sinn Fein (RSF) but were given a number of half-truths about the walk-out etc. Being young, we believed these lies and dedicated ourselves to the Provisionals and spent the next few years doing our utmost. 

I remained suspicious regarding certain issues surrounding successive Ceasefires in the early Nineties, although I was inside prison and hadn't the resources to properly question the Leadership on its strategy. Even though, Political Prisoners were not treated as fully fledged Volunteers and as such were only given a minimal amount of information about the Movement outside. Despite having that problem, we were still not entitled to question the Provisional IRA Leadership, as it was classed as dissent by the Prison Leadership. There was a Sinn Fein Cumann in the Blocks and I was it's Secretary between 1994 - 1996. On one occasion, a fellow IRA Prisoner and former Army Council member, stated in a meeting in H4 that his Leadership had ordered a 'Final Military Push' in 1989 by Volunteers especially given the amount of new and sophisticated weapons from Lybia. But that if the final push did not secure victory, then they would sue for 'peace'.  Afterwards, this particular Prisoner was censored by the Prison Leadership for his 'dissenting comments'.

H-Blocks of Long Kesh

His words confirmed my scepticism that the 1994 Ceasefire was not called from a position of strength. Rather it was part of a strategy to give the Sinn Fein Party primacy over the IRA within the Provisional Movement. I spoke of my suspicious to a few other POWs' and they agreed with my analysis. I was released in the middle of 1996 and returned to my native Ardoyne. I was released in the middle of 1996 and returned to my native Ardoyne. The Drumcree controversy was raging, as were attacks by Loyalists on Nationalist areas across the North. I had also reported back to the IRA for Active Service because it had ended its Ceasefire earlier that year with a large bomb in London's Docklands. Personnel and Leaders had changed and there were a number of Volunteers who held senior positions who had little or no military experience, rather they seemed 'groomed' for such roles. Surprisingly, some were of a similar age to myself but had never been involved in anything remotely Republican. Many Ex-POWs' also noticed this particular influx of the new 'breed' of Volunteers and were bemused. Most Volunteers had been tasked with defending vulnerable areas against Loyalists and were given the green light by Brigade Staff to open fire if necessary. A number of defensive Operations took place over the next week but we were quite surprised by subsequent, Courts of Inquiry by the Belfast Brigade into the circumstances surrounding these shootings. It seemed as if the Leadership wanted to 'put the foot down' on such Operations.

When Provisional Sinn Fein agreed to the Mitchel Principles on 1997, the Movement split with many Republicans forming the 32 County Sovereignty Movement and the (Real) IRA. A Campaign of attrition was not only launched by the Provisonals against this new Movement, but also by the Free State and Crown Forces. Any Volunteer or Sinn Fein member who associated with this group were 'arrested, interrogated and dismissed' from the Provisionals. Members of the 32's were also smeared and slandered in much the same manner as RSF had been ten years before. Many of the 'new breed' of Volunteers were promoted to senior positions within the IRA and Sinn Fein, while those with years of experience were given lesser roles or 'stood-down'.

After speaking to a couple of senior Volunteers with a wealth of experience of working within the Adams/McGuinness circle, they told me that Volunteers who were simply concerned with militarism were being sidelined in favour of those new men who wanted to strengthen the political path Sinn Fein were now taking. They advised me to get more involved in the political scene and I would remain at the 'coalface'. Ironically around the same time, my Dad was 'ordered' to build the Movement in the South Antrim area. It was an 'Army' (IRA) brief but we and others realised that the Leadership wanted him out of North Belfast to make way for Gerry Kelly. With my Father still active in the area, Kelly would have no chance of securing votes as the Nationalist and Republican electorate there were pretty parochial. 

My Late Father, 

Volunteer. Martin Meehan IRA

We spent the next few years building structures from Toomebridge in the North to Glengormley in the South. Thousands of doors were rapped, threats issued against us all from the RUC and Loyalists and little by little we began securing vote for Dad and of course the Party. Dad and I had serious reservations continuing in the Provisionals after the execution of (Real) IRA Volunteer, Joe-Joe O'Conor in Ballymurphy. We spoke at length to a number of senior IRA members about how badly such a killing was wrong and would affect Republicans. They were not at all pleased at our questions and said it was a one off.

The following year, my brother's and I Ardoyne homes were fired into by Loyalists connected to the UDA. A gunman was also seen attempting to gain access into my Dad's house and a loaded gun was found at the back of the next door neighbours. Within months, other homes belonging to Republicans were also attacked in an attempt to have the Ardoyne Unit of the Provisionals to retaliate. The UDA then changed tact and decided to attack parents of Ardoyne Schoolchildren at Holy Cross Girls. The disgraceful protest against the school was shown across the world by a disgusted media and the local Unit had to defend homes close to the school on various occasions. 

The next few years also seen Ardoyne residents strongly opposing Orange marches, at first residents were supported by S/F but after the Party endorsed Stormont it wriggled its way around the issue. Residents were left to deal with these unwelcome parades. In 2005, all weapons held by Belfast Units of the Provisional IRA were seized by senior Volunteers and decommissioned by a British-sponsored agency. Volunteers in areas like Ardoyne were aghast because it left the local community at serious risk from attacks from Loyalist gangs. The drip-feed of Volunteers leaving the Provisonals continued amid the weapons controversy. The year also witnessed the killing of Robert McCartney from the Short Strand by suspected Provisionals. The suspects were terribly mistreated by the Leadership with Volunteers ordered to make written statements to the RUC/PSNI about their roles and who exactly stabbed the man. A large number of public statements were issued by the IRA Leadership in connection with the crisis and Volunteers threatened with execution, if they did not abide by 'Army Orders'. A host of Volunteers felt betrayed by the actions of the Leadership and many spoke openly about the need to leave the Movement.

Throughout 2006, Ian Paisley and the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) listed a number of demands for Provisional Sinn Fein to meet before they would permit the Party to take its seats at a new Executive in Stormont. One of its demands, was the full acceptance of the 'Criminal Justice System' in the Six Counties including the renamed RUC. For many in the Provisonal Movement including myself, any acceptance of the above Agencies and Militia was a step to far and I resolved to leave the Party if it endorsed the RUC/PSNI. I was pretty vocal about how wrong it would be if the Movement endorsed a British Police Force and predictably one evening, two local Volunteers called to my home and placed me under 'arrest'. A pillow-case was placed over my head and I was taken elsewhere and questioned for a number of hours regarding my 'traitorious position'. I was also read passages from the IRA Constitution, that stated that I could be sentenced to death, if I persisted in undermining the 'Army'. I replied that it was the Leadership who was undermining the IRA after it had decommissioned its arsenal, if they need to shoot me then so be it but I was staying firm to my position. I was released and spent the next few weeks fearful if I had a future.

It was also around the same time that a senior figure in the Party, Denis Donaldson arranged a meeting with my Father. He told him that he could NOT stand for the South Antrim Constituency in the forthcoming elections and that not only was it an 'Army Order' but that Michel McLaughlin from Derry was to be the Candidate. Furthermore, he ordered Dad to be McLaughlin's election Agent! Three years earlier, my Father had just missed being elected by 81 votes and he felt he could gain the seat that coming May. Donaldson was later exposed as a British Informer and shot-dead in County Donegal. So with the deselection of my Dad and the endorsement of the unreformed RUC, I decided to leave the Provisional Movement. It had become something which I no longer recognised and did not want to be associated with it any longer. I spoke to my Dad of my decision and he and I had a number of lengthy conversations. He felt that he couldn't leave as he was a still a Volunteer and had to follow Army Orders. He agreed with my analysis but didn't want to come out publicly and say so, as people would now see it as sour grapes after his deselection. 

Weeks later, Dad and I had a verbal argument about the vote at the Special Ard Fheis in which he spoke in favour of the RUC/PSNI. He said that he had been 'ordered' to do.... Sadly, we didn't speak again until his untimely death that November. I suffered a heart attack a fortnight after his death and spent the next few months recuperating. I met a number of sound Republicans who had also left the Provisional Movement in recent years and who had lobbied for a no vote prior to the Special Ard Fheis. They had just formed a new Republican Campaign group called RNU and were gaining new members across the Country. I liked the idea and the name which was inclusive and had the unity of its members, Republicans and the County as it's main principle. It was also determined to have at its core a Republican-Socialist agenda and outlook.

Within a month, I applied to join RNU and was pleased when my membership was accepted. I felt that my experience could help the fledgling group.

Eddie Burns & Joe Jones Brutal Deaths Revisited

In March 2007, two Republicans from Belfast were killed in the most brutal fashion by people associated with the Continuity IRA (CIRA). Firstly, it needs to be said that the killings done nothing to further Irish Republicanism and it gave the excuse anti-Republicans needed to slight anti-GFA groups across the country. 

The Scene of Joe Jones Killing in 2007

Sadly both men, Eddie Burns and Joe Jones had families an children and they were the ones left to grieve and pick up the pieces after their deaths. Since then, both families have conducted their affairs with dignity and grace despite the hurt caused. I knew Eddie pretty well and had worked with him in a local Taxi company, where he often put a smile on everyone face. Prior to 2007, I had been a member of the Provisional Movement, therefore I had no idea about his involvement with the CIRA but was aware of his Republican sympathises. Eddie was originally from West Belfast, but married an Ardoyne woman and lived the later part of his life in the area. I was shocked to hear of his killing and attended his funeral, it was terrible to see his Wife and young children in bits.

I had met Joe Jones a couple of times and found him sound enough but knew little about him, apart from the fact that prior to his involvement with the CIRA, he had been a Provisonal IRA Volunteer. Around two months before their deaths, Eddie, Joe and a few others had taken weapons belonging to the CIRA and formed their own armed group called the Irish Republican Liberation Army (IRLA). The two men were involved in a number of gun attacks on the homes of suspected Drug Dealers and even visited the Irish News personally to claim the attacks under the IRLA title.

The IRLA name was used by the mainstream Media for the remaindewr of the same year. On one occassion, armed and masked members of the group posed for photos, somewhere in Ardoyne. It issued a number of statements threatening members of Provisonal Sinn Fein including my late Father and myself on a number of occassions. They said they had planted Pipe-Bombs at the my Dad's home, the day before he died but nothing was found? They also claimed to plant other devices at other homes belonging to Shinners but again nothing was found? After making enquires about who was responsible for these threats, throughout Belfast and beyond, the only people who were found to have any involvement with this particular name were both Eddie Burns and Joe Jones. As such, it is very strange how the name of the IRLA was used throughout 2007, was this another excuse by Shadowy Forces to create havoc in Republican communities and push the Provisonal Movement into a Military response?


According to the Constitution of the CIRA, these actions would have been regarded by that Army as 'treacherous' and the penalty for such treachery would have been 'death'. Although, both former Volunteers would have had to have been present at a Court-Martial or Court of Inquiry, where evidence would given by Senior figures in that Movement against the former Volunteers facing prosecution. Usually those Volunteers would also be permitted to ask another Senior Volunteer to defend them against the charges. I honestly don't know if this took place in the case of Eddie and Joe Jones but suspect they may well had been 'Tried in Absentee' and found Guilty?

So it was that a number of CIRA members asked Eddie Burns to taxi them to West Belfast for a drinking session. Unbeknown to Eddie, it would be his last journey as they produced a handgun and ordered him to drive past St. Gall's GAC off the Falls Road. Eddie was taken from the car and shot dead in a lonely lane and the tragedy began for his family. Strangely enough, another man present was also shot in the neck and left to die? It has since been alleged by this man that he had been drinking and taking drugs all that particular day with those who killed Eddie and shot him. After the Gang left in Eddie's car, the injured Party crawled up to the Falls Road and flagged down a passing Motorist who took him to Hospital.

This is were the story becomes confusing because the injured man, Dee O'Neill has alleged that he had complained about the killing of Eddie, when one of the Gang also shot him? However, there is a much picture painted by some Belfast Republicans who allege that O'Neill shot Burns first and then waited until his Cronies had left before shooting himself in the neck to take away suspicion off himself? He later gave evidence to the RUC/PSNI and Garda, as well as the Free State Court naming people who were involved. One West Belfast Republican, Gerard Mackin was later Convicted on O'Neill's evidence and given Life Imprisonment. The conviction was subsequently quashed on Appeal and Mackin is now free. How can a Judge, Jury or member of the Public begin to believe an Informer about what really took place that particular night? Informers are by their very nature Professional Liars. The recent UVF Show-Trial also provided proof of these type of Low Lives and how they would say anything to get themselves off the hook.

According to O'Neill, the Gang left the Bog Meadows to travel to the Oldpark area and 'arrest' Joe Jones. Around an hour later, residents of Elmfield Street in Ardoyne heard a loud argument and a number of screams. The following morning, a local man witnessed the badly mutilated body of a man in the Entry and rapped a few neighbours doors including, my late Father's. My Dad and the other fella approached the body and were shocked to find that the person's head had been almost been decapitated from his body. They thought it extremely distressing and phoned Holy Cross Church for a Priest to attend. According to those who seen the body, 'it was the worst type of death anyone could have suffered'.

Within hours, the local community were deeply annoyed that those suspected of carrying out both killings were Irish Republicans. As the manner in which Jones had died, beaten around the upper body and head with a Spade was not something that Republicans would do. Yes, they have killed thousands of people during repetitive armed Campaigns and some victims suffered terrible deaths but actually purposely inflict such a vicious death was not norm. His death and that of Eddie Burns sullied the name of Anti-GFA Republicans, in particular the CIRA.

In another twist, the then Commander O/C of the CIRA in Belfast apparently picked the gang up after the killings in his own car and drove them to County Louth. The O/C returned to Belfast and carried on as if nothing had happened, he even attempted to claim that his people had nothing to do with the deaths? Thousands of pounds belonging to his Movement went missing during his tenure but he remained in charge? He was arrested weeks later by the RUC/PSNI and even had his car seized, strangely no charges followed and later that year he moved to Dublin, where he joined another Republican group to to the surprise of many.

Ever since, the Continuity IRA in Belfast has had a bad name and most Republican Activists don't wish to associate with them. Ironically, this particular group has spilt with many forming a different group. Sadly, they still claim the mantle of the IRA to engage in criminal activities including the taxing of Drug Dealers/Users and Tiger Kidnappings. Nationalist and Republican Communities throughout Belfast do not support or want this armed group around and would prefer if they disappeared.

Earlier this week, The Jones and Burns families joined Relatives for Justice (RFJ) and Community Restorative Justice (CRJ) at a press conference in Conway Mill, where they jointly asked for justice for the killings.Everyone is entitled to know the truth behind the killing of their relatives and Ardoyne Republican would like that to happen, particularly for Eddie and Joe's children. I am somewhat surprised however, that RFJ and CRJ are seeking justice for suffering families? After all, both organisations never helped other bereaved families like, Joe-Joe O'Conor's, Andrew Kearney's, Paul Quinn's and Robert McCartney's? Therefore, why are these groups advocating for the Jones and Burns families? It wouldn't be because the CIRA killed both men and the Provisional IRA are suspected of killing Joe O'Conor, Andew Kearney, Paul Quinn and Robert McCartney now would it? Does RFJ and CRJ believe Dee O'Neill and the RUC/PSNI? Are they really seeking justice or is it to continue the demonisation of Anti-GFA Republicans?

I guess only time will tell and I look forward to both groups organising Press Conferences and advocating justice for Joe-Joe O'Conor, Andrew Kearney, Paul Quinn and Robert McCartney but I wouldn't hold my breath....

Recently-Released Derry P.O.W. Speaks Out on Maghaberry Crisis

 Former Political Prisoner, Eugene McLoone

Ardoyne Republican has been asked to publish the following letter by Derry Republican, Eugene McCloone (pictured above) and I am proud to do so on his behalf. Even though Eugene has been released on Bail his son, Martin remains on Remand in Maghaberry....

A Chairde,

For the past six months, I have been Interned by remand in Maghaberry Gaol.
Today upon my temporary release on bail, i feel it is my duty to give people an insight into the terrible conditions endured by all Republican Prisoners currently residing in Roe House, Maghaberry.

On my first day in Maghaberry and upon entering the Republican Wing, a sour and overwhelming stench hit me like a brick wall and reality quickly began to set in. I immediately realised what was facing me while still being walked to my Cell, by a unit of Screws consisting of four burly Prison Officers heavily clad in riot-gear, complete with helmets and visors.

 As the same four screws surrounded me in a barren cell, they barked a number of rules and regulations at me. I was ordered by them to ‘follow or else’! When I replied; ‘I’m an Irish Republican and will only take orders from fellow Republicans’, they laughed and slammed the steel door in my face. I later found out that all Republican Prisoners endure the same reception upon arrival.

Due to the refusal of David Ford and the Stormont Executive to implement the August Agreement, Conditions for Political Prisoners in Roe House remain inhumanely atrocious.

The majority of Political Prisoners in Maghaberry have engaged in a full Dirty Protest, since at least July 2011.
Cells are infested with maggots and large flies, the inevitable result of human excrement being caked on the walls of small enclosed spaces. The sight of young bearded men living in such surroundings puts the lie to David Ford’s claims to being a champion of human rights.

Adding to their misery, Prisoners are also forced to live under the punitive ‘restrictive movement’ regime. Wherein their access to outside landings is conditional on the amount of screws available to accompany them. This system is manipulated daily in order to limit the movement of Prisoners and place their lives under as much strain and disruption as possible.
 
According to the Administration, four Screws are needed to accompany one Prisoner. Whenever one Republican Prisoner wants to have a wash or shower, four Screws are apparently required to escort him to the Wash Room. His ‘movement’ in turn affects the amount of time others can spend outside their cells, for example on the telephone with their children. The opportunities for manipulating this system and degrade the life of the entire landing are endless and screws use it to maximise disruption on a daily basis. Under ‘restricted movement’ waiting times to and from visits are also prolonged, leading to the actual visiting time being substantially shortened. Thanks to David Ford and the compliance of constitutional parties at Stormont, families and children of republican prisoners are now also being punished.
 
In order to gauge the extremist anti-Republican logic of the Maghaberry Regime, one need only observe its refusal to grant Compassionate Parole to Lurgan Republican, Dee McKenna, Whose Father died while he was a protesting prisoner. Maghaberry’s refusal to allow him attend his father’s funeral was a direct attempt not only to punish him in a vulgar and inhumane manner, it was a desperate attempt to prevent the world from hearing the true extent of horrific conditions being endured by human beings in Ireland 2012.


Sickness is rife among Political Prisoners in Roe House. With everyone taking course after course of antibiotics to fend of more serious illnesses. Most suffer from unexplained blotches on our skin. Others suffer from serious breathing difficulties brought on by the excessive use of industrial chemicals. Due to these intolerable conditions, the irregular delivery of medication and the long term effects of beatings at the hands of the riot squad, a few Republicans have had to be taken to outside Hospitals.

In spite of the presence of dozens of riot-clad Screws on the Wing, emergency buzzers go unanswered for hours. On cold days, heat in the Cells are turned off at the whim of sectarian Screws who like their predecessors in the H-Blocks, clearly take pleasure in petty and daily torture of vulnerable republicans at their mercy. However, the worst experience of all remains the regular Strip-Search, again at the hands of the riot squad. This exercise in brutality is carried out not for security reasons, but for political and financial ends, satisfying both Unionist mindsets at Stormont and monetary demands from the Loyalist POA.

Our representatives in Cogús / RNU along with comrades in various other support groups have reminded the world on endless occasions of the alternatives exist which render the strip-search a relic of darker days. David Ford the human rights hypocrite is fully aware of these alternatives but refuses to act, bowing only to own his selfish political ambition and betraying both the August agreement and his own voters in the process.

I hope the above account helps readers better understand the serious problems that exist in Maghaberry Gaol. What is required is a root and branch change of the entire system there, to ensure that all Prisoners (political and otherwise) can live with human rights and dignity.

If this was happening anywhere else in the world it would be condemned by the British and Stormont governments unconditionally, still as is the way with so much in the modern world, hypocrisy reigns supreme and these people still fail to recognise the basic human rights of Irish citizens.

Former Republican Prisoner,

Eugene McLoone (Derry)

The Politics of Exclusion in Ardoyne in 2012

Last Monday evening, the CARA (Crumlin Ardoyne Residents Association) held its AGM in Ardoyne. A 'new' Committee was 'elected' by those present but only residents who live on the Crumlin, Ardoyne Roads, Mountainview, Dales and Balhome Drive. According to CARA's constitution, only residents living in the above streets can be members. Ironically, it doesn't state that it's fine for residents living outside of those streets to attend the AGM and nominate and vote for those who wish to be on the Committee, which is what took place on Monday night....As was expected, one of those sitting at the head table was it's spokesman, who resides as far away from the above streets than any of its membership, however he too was returned for another 12 months.

Predictably, the majority of attendees @ the meeting were members of Provisional Sinn Fein, most of who don't even live within the 'Catchment area' listed above but most now live outside Greater Ardoyne. These Sinn Fein members including Gerry Kelly MLA attempt to give credence and direction to CARA. They also ensure that CARA's meetings and 'protests' against Loyal Order marches seemingly have 'local' support because of numbers. 

One Brompton Park resident made his way along to the AGM and not only felt intimidated from entering because of the presence of a number of Shinners standing outside the venue. During questions to the panel, this local man asked how his street was not represented by CARA, after all Brompton Park always bears the brunt of heavy policing by the unreformed RUC and the inevitable resistance by local youths to that militarised Agency. CARA responded by saying he made a good point but gave no indication as to residents from Brompton being excluded from membership.  Another local resident asked CARA, what their answer was to comments from Chief Inspector. Alan Freeburn (RUC/PSNI) during a recent court case against GARC Activists and supporters that; 'That the Police had been in constant contact with CARA and Political Representatives before, during and after the sit-down protest by GARC in 2010'. The Spokesman vehemently denied such contact took place and asked for the Court transcipts to be published in the Media, where they would publish a denial. 

It never seems to dwell on CARA that they are being used by a Political Party for it's own ends. Provisional Sinn Fein are in Government with the right-wing Unionist, DUP and wish to facilitate Loyalist Parades and don't want to rock the boat, when it comes to the cosy relationship it has with this particular Party. They no longer care about the problems in areas in Ardoyne and only pay lip-service to it's people. Surprising for a Party that claims to want an inclusive Ireland and an Ireland of Equals. The Shinners agree and enforce the exclusion of the majority of Greater Ardoyne residents from becoming members of CARA.

How can CARA negotiate on behalf of Ardoyne residents against the Loyal Orders, when they exclude the majority of residents from membership according to its Constitution?

The totality of Greater Ardoyne residents MUST be represented in any talks/negotiations with the Loyal Orders who insist on marching through our community against the overwhelming wishes of people! Until that happens GARC will stand with the remainder of residents in their struggle against fascist marches.

RNU Chairperson's (Carl Reilly) Address to the 2012 Ard Fheis - 4/3/12

Carl Reilly

WELCOME

Comrades let me start by thanking everyone for making today’s event successful.  I would like to begin today’s proceedings by acknowledging a number of Friends who aren’t at this year’s event, for various reasons and in particular Tony Taylor, as he is currently incarcerated in Maghaberry Prison.  Can I also ask today’s gathering to keep in mind Danny Mc Brearty who is still recovering from his illnesses and also former Ard Chomhairle member Brain Mc Fadden who also is ill at this time and of course my father in law, Sean Vallely who sends his best wishes and would like to thank everyone for their support.
Tony Taylor cannot be here today as he is being denied his freedom by the PSNI who claim that a plastic wrapper he had on his person is the link to a weapon seized nearby, we all know that Tony is in Maghaberry because he is a highly respected republican who didn’t buy into the status quo that the Irish question has been resolved.  Eugene McLoone was released on bail last week from the protesting wings of Roe House and we are delighted that he is home with his family.

MAGHABERRY PRISON
Throughout  the early part of 2011 Cogus were flagging up our concerns, that the “Northern Ireland Prison Service” (NIPS) and the “Department of Justice” (DOJ) were playing very dangerous games with the 12th August agreement and we told a number of interested parties of the pitfalls ahead. We raised concerns that the undermining of the agreement would be seen as bad faith on their part and would inevitably be harder to resolve. Our concerns were ignored as the NIPS & DOJ were intent on a path of humiliating and criminalising the POW’s.  It was a path that the prisoners would not allow them to win on. On the 1st July 2011 the day the 12th August agreement was to be completed two Cogus prisoners representatives asked the NIPS for a commitment that the agreement would be fully implemented that day, they were told by prison management that the agreement was months behind and in short the answer was “No”, they couldn’t fulfil their side of the agreement that day. That night the recreation room was burnt and the prisoners destroyed their cells- the full dirty protest began that night for them also.

Since the July 1st protest began all but two Cogus POWs (for health reasons) are being held in horrendous conditions.  Initially they were placed under rule 7 prison rules conditions, effectively meaning that they were locked up 24hours per day, denied washing facilities and exercise. They were denied access to telephones and all legal and family visits were denied.  Even access to Sunday Mass was refused to them.  This harsh regime was hoped by the NIPS to be so restrictive that the protesting prisoners would be sharp shocked into quickly ending their protest.  After some initial lobbying by Cogus and other POW support groups the regime was downgraded after three weeks to prison rule 32 which is still in place today. Rule 32 prisoners are on 23 hour lockup, they have access to visits after they enter a decontaminating area and change into clean clothes. Cogus prisoners are currently in cells that are smeared in their own waste. They are forcibly strip-searched each time they enter or leave the prison for court appearances. They have been assaulted by bigots and loyalists who pass themselves off as prison officers. Cogus political prisoners have been hospitalised after assaults by the so called “ninjas”, a loyalist bunch of thugs who are given carte blanch to attack vulnerable prisoners at will.  Dame Anne Owers report, published in October 2011 recommends ending strip-searching and endorses alternatives that been be agreed upon by the protesting POWs.  The conditions to end the protest exists today.  The question that needs to be asked is, why is the NIPS stalling? On Tuesday the 21st Feb 2012 in response to a question from the SDLPs John Dallat, David Ford admitted that he had a report outlining an alternative to full body searches but was declining to publish the report citing “commercial and security concerns”.  No one really believes that is the reason at all, not even John Dallat.  The answer lies once again in a lack of political backbone by David Ford.  Ford’s political back is to the wall, afraid of upsetting elements within the DUP he is stalling, scrambling for a political exit and while he stalls political prisoners languish in unbearable conditions.
RNU and Cogus have been active in highlighting the conditions of republican prisoners during this and other campaigns. Cogus members protested outside Fords office and RNU members also barricaded themselves inside the parties HQ and were removed by the PSNI.  Cogus reps also smeared his HQ in excrement to let him and his staff has the early morning experience of waking up to horrendous conditions. We have had numerous white-line pickets and were involved in a cavalcade from Newry to Dublin organised by Duleek republicans.
 It would be remiss of me not to mention the jail problems with the NIPS and DOJ and ignore the tension that sadly exists between different political groups inside Roe house. They date back to a difference of opinion on strategy over strip searching and oral examinations. Cogus POWs believed we should explore all avenues whilst others believed that instant protest was the way to go. We respected that difference.  However the tensions spilled over to the outside and the relationships both inside and outside the jail broke down due to the stress that the then structures between the groups couldn’t cope with. Sadly some people at that time began a smear campaign against POWs and their representatives outside, with various social media outlets being used to demonise people, POWs and political groupings who disagreed with their strategy. Derogatory  terms like “non-conforming prisoners” and “conforming prisoners” were bandied about by people would should have known better and by people who until relevantly  recent times, boycotted Maghaberry prison events and didn’t give any public concern to previous problems inside the jail.  I’m glad now that they and others recognise that Maghaberry exists.
Recently Cogus POWs were passed a communication from prisoners now calling themselves the RCL the (republican collective landing).  In it they inform the Cogus jail leadership that they had instructed all RCL POWs not to speak to Cogus or Cabhair prisoners at any time in prison. They went on to write that they informed their prisoners not to travel to legal and/or family visits together on the bus and asked the Cogus leadership to tell pows not to share holding cells with RCL prisoners. They asked that Cogus inform the Cabhair POWs of this position also. Firstly Cogus POWs informed the RCL that they weren’t messenger boys and if they wanted the message passed to Cabhair, they would need to do so themselves. Cogus POWs position is clear and is fully supported by Cogus outside.  We will NEVER instruct any person or prisoner not to talk to other republicans. The POWs wont self segregate themselves on buses or in holding cells. To do any of the above would be anti-republican.  We utterly reject any reason for such demands.  This kind of divisive behaviour reeks of elitism and has no place in republicanism either inside or outside the jail.  To support such demands is a sad reflection on those who claim to want unity.
In recent times the onslaught against RNU from people and groups who call themselves republican has been relentless.  What is happening today is very similar to the “undermine and absorb policy” that was employed against the IRSM both inside the H-Blocks and on the outside across Ireland and further afield.  Again our position is clear.  We in RNU stand on our own actions and our membership hasn’t been found wanting on any aspect of struggle and agitation this past year. I am calling on groups and persons involved in the demonisation of RNU or any group, to desist and pull back.  We for our part have and will do likewise, but it was important that we clarified the jail issue to all of our membership today. RNU is still very much of the belief that a unified approach to supporting the prisoner issue is the way forward and in the past three months we have offered to have at least two unified white-line pickets and offered to share a public discussion panel we had arranged with representatives from all prisoner concerned groups.  Sadly none of these offers were accepted. The offer to other groups to unite around the prisoner issue remains open.

BRENDAN LILLIS
2011 Saw all the republican family and others unite in support of Rosin Lynch who was campaigning for the release of her seriously ill partner and former blanket man, Brendan Lillis from Maghaberry Prison. She was tireless and relentless in her efforts and she showed that there can be common ground that republicans can unite around.  RNU was proud to have lent our support to her campaign and I’m pleased to inform everyone here that after talking to Rosin last week on the phone she and Brendan are working towards his and her wellbeing.

30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE HUNGER-STRIKES
2011 was also the year were we remembered the 30th anniversaries of the ten brave IRA and INLA hunger-strikers and the sacrifice of the men and woman on the blanket from 1976 to 1981. For many, the year brought back sad memories of lost comrades hard fought prison struggle and the terrible trauma that was inflicted upon this country by the stubbornness of Margret Thatcher and her conservative government. While we all took time during this period to reflect on those times and how they helped influence the Ireland we live in today, the ever emerging story promoted by Richard O Rawe and others that there was a deal by the British that could have saved six of the hunger-strikers lives.  This took even greater momentum when Brendan Duddy agreed that he did deliver an offer that was rejected by the IRA and Freedom of Information documents also lend some weight to these claims. Neither the INLA hunger-strikers nor their representatives outside were ever informed of any developments and with the Sinn Fein leadership and with former long Kesh and IRA camp staff personal disputing the claims. We in RNU believe that the only way to bring this issue to a satisfactory close for all concerned is to have a full independent inquiry into the tragic events of 1981.

POLITICAL INTERNEES
In 1981 Gerry Mc Geogh was active in Co Tyrone, supporting the protesting H-Block and Armagh women jails campaigns. In 2011, 30 years later, he was sentenced in a British Diplock court to 25 years imprisonment.  Gerry’s OTR status despite being guaranteed to him by senior republicans was “lost”.  Gerry is in jail on a protesting wing for actions the crown alleges he carried out while he was a member of the Irish Republican Army.  Despite public press releases calling for his release Sinn Fein has done little to end his suffering.  Contrast this in-action by SF to the forceful arguments made by Gerry Adams to the former British secretary of state Peter Hain when North Belfast republican Sean Kelly was returned to prison. Martin Corey from Lurgan has currently been returned to prison after serving 21 years in Long Kesh prison, he has had his licence revoked by the British and with no charge or evidence against him.  Can anyone really claim with a straight face that this man isn’t interned? Marion Price held in solitary conditions in an all-male prison, her licence revoked by Owen Patterson for holding a scrap of paper- will anyone tell me that Marion lives in a new Ireland were discrimination against nationalists and republicans no longer exists?  A former jail comrade of mine Conor Casey is facing charges for laying a tri-colour on the coffin of his dead comrade Vol.  John Brady.  While these injustices continue there are some who will tell us that we live in the past and that our actions are of the past. Marion Price, Gerry Mc Geough, Martin Corey and Conor Casey can verify that their actions of the past are still very much their present and our future.

SUPER_GRASS TRAILS
We are currently watching as the Diplock court system plays its part in the theatre that is the super -grass trails, only now it has been rebranded into a nice shiny new package called the “assisting offenders system”.   The UVF show trail has been played out in the glare of the media and outside of exposing the inner worlds of loyalism and its gangster approach to communities.  It also exposed the willingness of the PSNI to thrust drug abusers and individuals with mental health issues into the dock in pursuit of convictions. The question however on most republican’s lips has been not just why are we watching a re-run of failed super-grass trails but that just as in the case of Johnny Adair when he was used as a guinea pig for the first licence revocation, how long will it be before the first republican super-grass show trail?  Will Barra McGrory pursue republicans with the same gusto that the DPP in its glory days used to do to pursue republicans? I think many here and beyond know the answer to that question.

ECONOMICS
This year will see the Irish people face even harder times, with proposed cuts in welfare and increases on taxes.  We, the working class have to once again bail out the banks that played footloose with our economy.  While the working classes will suffer, the bankers and corporate companies who created the mess with their greed will walk away with large salaries and even larger bonuses that we are paying for.  Comrades, the time is right for a complete re-think on how we live our lives.  What is required is socialist governance; where all of Ireland’s resources are claimed as our own; where we take control of the methods of wealth, production and distribution. What we have for a government in either part of this partitioned island is morally and economically corrupt.  Let’s have a country where all of the people have an equal share of the wealth and no one is better that the next person.  We need to work with partners in republicanism, the left in Ireland and also just as importantly, we need international support for our socialist ideals.

ALTERNATIVE TO THE GFA
Our opponents will claim that despite our bluster we are without an alternative, and for many years that argument held some sway.  We in the republican camp were lazy in our approach to politics and the promotion of community and political alternatives.  It must be added however that we were also held back by the same people who accuse us of having no alternatives.  They did so through the use of violence against us, which included kidnappings, assaults, smears and as we seen in the case of Joe O’Connor, even executing political opponents was deemed necessary and proportionate. However we are now near to a place where we can move forward and in fact demand of ourselves the need to develop alternatives and make us political relevant to the people of Ireland. We need to produce on paper a credible socialist political alternative that isn’t “airy-fairy”, which can stand up to challenges and be used as a template for an alternative to the current economic and political status quo.  We in RNU have already begun the ground work required to develop and write up such a piece of work.  We are currently running a yearlong series of workshops with Tommy McKearney. We have met with internationalists and government representatives from socialist countries and viewed at firsthand how they govern.  We have met with some of Ireland’s trade unions, given them our views on trade unionism, its positives and negatives and taken onboard from them what contribution we and they could make in a socialist Ireland.  What is required of us cannot be done alone.  Let’s not delude ourselves that we in RNU have all the answers or the blue-print to the socialist republic.  It will require hard work.  We will face many challenges and we will along the way have to make friends with people who we have differences with, people who see us as enemies’ and people who are ignorant of the transformed Ireland that we require.

YOUTH
A lot is said about the youth of Ireland today both positive and negative. Our young people in most parts of Ireland live in areas of high unemployment, with little also to offer in the way of facilities and prospects. Large housing estates have little to offer its residents and in many communities we don’t even have public parks. Society talks about the scourge of drink and drugs which undoubtedly does untold damage to our communities. We talk about dealing with these issues in legislative terms or in punishment, the debate also needs to be had around why people in our communities both old and young feel the need to be sedated to simply get through their days.   Our young people need to be shown that we actually care about them and that we are not simply paying lip-service to them.   They in turn need to realise that they have responsibilities to themselves and the community from which they come also. I was extremely proud of the young people in RNU in 2011. They were prominent in the Brendan Lillis campout, to the fore in POW protests and the work they were involved in with suicide awareness in Belfast, in housing issues in Dublin and in their recent work on the murals campaign has been nothing short of exceptional. The young people involved in these events are the future of RNU, the future of republicanism and the future stalwarts of our communities and I feel in safe hands with young people like we have in this room and out in the communities we live in.

CONCLUSION
Comrades, RNU has taken its knocks and will probably take a few more along the way.  I also believe that in the coming years we will play our own role in forming a better Ireland and in carving our place in the republican niche. I want to thank each and every one of you here today and the people who couldn’t make it for the effort and dedication and loyalty you have shown to RNU and to the republican goal. Can I ask you to enjoy today and to please contribute as much as you can to the today’s proceedings and finally can I ask you all to work just as hard in 2012 as you did in 2011.

Beirigi Bua

 http://www.republicannetwork.ie/

Where is the Peace Dividend for Nationalist/Republican Communities?

Throughout the Peace Process, Political Leaders often promised Nationalist and Republican Communities in the North that they would 'soon' enjoy a social and economic Peace Dividend. In scores of 'Town-Hall' style meetings, senior members of Provisional Sinn Fein addressed thousands about the financial help which would come from the American, European, Irish and British Governments to bolster disadvantaged communities who had suffered immensely because of the recent Conflict.

The Belfast Agreement (GFA) was believed to be the first step in helping achieve equality for those particular areas. The same Politicians, Media, Churchmen and Community Leaders lobbied on the streets through the Media and in the Polling Stations for a Yes vote in the subsequent Referendums. Everyone across Ireland was asked to vote of 'Peace' and the result was overwhelming positive. People voted in favour of peace, was that a surprise - No because who really wanted to continue a protracted War given the opportunity for a peaceful outcome. The vote was then used by the powers that be to manipulate communities into supporting a process that enabled the British to remain in Ireland, the Border to be further entrenched and for secterianism to be institionised in the Six County State.

Last week a report published by the North's Community Relations Council (CRC) entitled; Peace Monitoring Report  demonstrated these facts in black and white. The report produced evidence of what has not changed in the Six Counties since the endorsement of the Good Friday Agreement. It  rode through the media spin and chose to detail facts of the Socio-Economic situation faced by the most disadvantaged working-class communities.

The Report's Author, Dr Paul Nolan, stated; 'To date the indicators have been sending out contradictory messages. Violence has declined but it most certainly has not gone away. There is increased cooperation at the political level but there is also an increase in the number of interface barriers. We have seen interesting experiments in shared housing and shared education but 92.5% of school enrolments are still in schools that are perceived to be for one community only, and 90% of social housing is for single identity communities.  At times Northern Ireland seems to be moving forward; at other times it seems in danger of lurching back into the past'.

One of the inconvenient truths of the cementing of British rule in Ireland is that it's Peace Process creates further sectarianism. These areas remain considerably more disadvantaged than their Unionist and Loyalist neighbours. The number of low-income households are higher in Nationalist/Republican communities (26%) than in Unionist/Loyalist areas (16%.)

According to the Micro-Parliament in Stormont (61%) of the long-term unemployed in the North come from the Nationalist/Republican community. While 29 of  the 38 electoral wards most affected by unemployment have at least an 85% Nationalist/Republican Catholic population. These glaring facts are often ignored by Political Parties and the Media as it charts the failure to properly address the very basic of inequality for Irish citizens living in a British and sectarian State.  

The reality is that Stormont and the so-called Peace Process is NOT working. In spite of fourteen years passing since the Good Friday Agreement, we are NO closer to ending centuries of immoral occupation, inequality and disadvantage in this part of Ireland. We cannot hope to throw off the chains of slavery and failure in a British State. The social and economic situation we face is directly linked to the occupation and no amount of promised reforms in the Six Counties will change what is corrupted in favour of imperialists. 

If Political Parties and Groups are serious about changing the Status-Quo, we need to work together in achieving a 32 County Socialist Irish Republic. Anything else will be an abject failure and history will condemn us.

The Lion of the Fold

During the past week, I have been busy reading an excellent book about Big Jim Larkin written by Donal Nevin, former Secretary of the Irish Transport and General Workers Union (ITGWU). The book charts the life of the working-class hero , James Larkin. As well as, the turbulent times in which he toiled and lived.

Not surprisingly, the book outlines what life was like Belfast and Dublin for those communities who were exploited by the capitalist class. It a sad but inspiring read and helps the reader understand the passion for the poor, Socialists like Larkin, James Connolly and Constance Markievcz had for Ireland's oppressed.

What is important about the work of Larkin and his comrades were that they were able to reach across secterian lines, especially in Belfast to achieve a concenus between both groups of workers. The bosses were no longer to exploit labour in the same manner after the historic Dockers strike of 1907. The same can also be said about Dublin after the 1913 Lock-Out. Under Larkin's Leadership, Trade Unionism triumphed across Ireland and the poor eventually achieved respect and recieved a fair degree of social and economic justice.

Like many giants of Irish history, particularly its militant and revolutionary past. Larkin was also betrayed by his contempories and was eventually sidelined in favour of a less confrontational Trade Unionism. However, he perserevered and kept the faith of the workers. 

There has been much talk of late regarding Centenaries of the Ulster Conevant and the 1916 Rising to name a few. What is remarkable but not surprising is that the Political and Civic Elite of Ireland want to forget about the radical nature of the 1913 Dublin Lock-Out and how Larkin led the oppressed to face the Capitalist Class down. It seems the haves did not learn the lessons of our history, as the Politicians, Bankers and Bondholders continue to pay lip service to social and economic justice in Ireland. 

The majority of Irish people are working-class, yet they are criminalised by Politicians if they refuse to pay the bills of corrupt Bankers who have destroyed the economy during the last few years. Unemployment, Emigration and an entire generation of our fellow citizens face a bleak future. 

If only, we could reincarnate James Larkin, the Lion of the Fold.........