Pride of Ardoyne Loyalist Flute Band

UVF Honour-Guard at Brian Robinson Mural

The 'Pride of Ardoyne Loyalist Flute Band' (POA) was formed in 1972 by Glenbryn UVF member, William Hanna. Six years later, Hanna was killed when he unwittingly walked into the 1978 SAS ambush of IRA Volunteers, Dinny Brown, Jackie Mailey and Jim Mulvenna.

After reading the band's website; http://prideofardoynefluteband.piczo.com/?g=1&cr=3. This blog is convinced it's overall ethos has been to promote the aims of 'B' Company-1st Battalion of the Ulster Volunteer Force, a dangerous gang of secterian killers. Who have been responsible for the deaths of scores of residents of the Greater Ardoyne community.

One can clearly see from photos published, that its current members also agree with secterian bigotry. Such as, the UVF one above which commemorates the Loyalist killer of Paddy McKenna and another of late Pope, John Paul II, wearing a Glasgow Rangers scarf and hat.

Meanwhile, on it's Bebo social network site; http://skin.bebo.com/c/profile%20TUUID=6c2a30a2-5fd5-48ec-90c7-9863b2a04a0d&MemberId=3791289225. The band celebrates other dead UVF members, Samuel Rockett killed during a feud with the UDA in 2000 and Billy McClure killed by the IPLO in 1991. Indeed, it also boasts on its main banner, “Fuck talk.... We walk”. A clear reference to attempts by residents in Ardoyne to negotiate with the Loyal Orders who insist on marching through an area whose residents don't want them.

The reality for people in Ardoyne and Glenbryn is that the political and social risks presented by bands like the 'Pride of Ardoyne' and their promoters in the Loyal Orders in forcing these controversial parades through host communities are too many to ignore. As such, Ardoyne Republican suggest secterian marches through this district are voluntarily rerouted in the interests of all and not a few!

Political Imprisonment For Many Remains

Only last week, Ardoyne held a Na Fianna Eireann Commemoration to honour four teenagers who died on Active Service in 1972. A plague was erected in their memory and hundreds of Republicans attended the disiplined ceremoney.

For the past century thousands of young Irish citizens have volunteered to fight British imperialism through a variety of political and armed groups. Sadly, many have been killed in their quest to free our nation from oppression.

At present another teenager, John-Paul Wotten (18) and oringinally from Ardoyne is in Maghaberry Gaol on charges related to the killing of RUC/PSNI Constable. Stephen Carroll by the CIRA in March.

John-Paul was arrested shortly after the killing and held for thirteen days before being charged with murder. Throughout his detention, he refused to answer any questions and remained silent. He has now been on remand for a considerable period of time and has been refused bail by the Courts.

Like most young Nationalists incarcerated before him, this teenager was arrested and detained under SPECIAL legislation before appearing in Court. His period of remand will indeed be lengthy and finally he will be brought to Trial before a SPECIAL non-jury Court. To be tried, convicted and sentenced by a High-Court Judge, who will undoubtably agree with all these SPECIAL laws created to imprison this young lad.

In spite of the Good Friday Agreement, Stormont Assembly, cosmetic changes to the RUC and end to the Provisional IRA's Campaign. Irish citizens like John-Paul Wotten have little or no hope of recieving a fair trial. He was arrested under a modern-day; Special Powers Act and he will have to endure a modern-day; Diplock Trial. So much for the much heralded New Dispensation, a chairde.

As Eamonn Mallie wrote in his acclaimed book, 'The Provisional IRA'; 'Even if the Leadership (Provisional's) were to abandon violence, another violent organisation would spring up in its place. As long as, Ireland is divided violent republicanism will be an ineradicable tradition’. So please spare a thought for John-Paul Wotten and all those Irish Political Prisoners.....

Ardoyne Fianna Commemoration 1909-2009

RNU Colour-Party

October 25th, 2009, Ardoyne

On Sunday October 25th, 2009, Ardoyne held a well-attended commemoration to honour Na Fianna Eireann Commemoration. The event not only paid tribute to the district's four fallen Fians', Davy McAuley, Josh Campbell, Josie McComiskey and Bernard Fox. It also paid tribute to the role played by Na Fianna throughout the last century, particularly during the recent conflict. The four teenagers died on active service in seperate incidents in 1972.

Last Sunday over 300 people including relatives of the four Fians' attended a parade, to remember the four lads. The march was led by a Republican Network for Unity (RNU) colour-partywo flute bands. While two excellent flute bands, the Carrickhill Martyrs (Belfast) and Dan Darragh (Ballycastle) followed closely behind. To a gable wall adorned with the Irish National, Sunburst and Starry Plough flags, as well as a beautiful marble plague was unvieled by former P.O.W, Henry McErlean. The entire ceremoney was chaired by Mairtin Og Meehan and the main speech was delivered by ex-Fianna Activist, Davy Glennon.

In his speech Davy stated, 'It is great to witness Republican Unity in practice in Ardoyne today, instead of smears and villification being used against the organisers of this tribute. He thanked the Sean McCaughey Historical Society and RNU for inviting him to partake in the event. He also said that, the four Fianna boys' did not die for Partition and a Unionist Veto on Irish sovereignty to continue, in fact, they joined Na Fianna Eireann to end them'!

Ardoyne Republican takes this opportunity to thank everyone who took part in Sunday's commemoration. Go Raibh Mhaith Agaibh....

Óglach John Brady

I first met John Brady in Crumlin Road Gaol in early 1990, when we were both on remand for Republican activities. John was typical of the hundreds of political prisoners incarcerated in the Crum at the time. A working-class person in his early twenties facing a long term of imprisonment because of his opposition to British rule. When John was first arrested for the IRA killing of an RUC man his mother and brother were also inside in connection with the operation, which obviously added to his fears and anxieties.

During our time in the Crum, the prison attempted to force us to integrate more with Loyalist prisoners causing many confrontations between Republicans, Screws and of course Loyalists. On one occasion, a number of us were standing in John’s cell in A-Wing, when the name of the UDA’s leader in the jail was broadcast on the intercom for a visit. Almost immediately, John asked us to support him in attacking the Lisburn man. Seconds later Beefy, Chicken, Mackers, John, and I ran down the landing and battered the terrified Loyalist. During the melee, I was knocked to the ground by a number of Screws and forcibly restrained from causing anymore harm. Whilst lying there I turned to witness, a fearless John giving one the Screws a great punch. For the next eight days, we were held in solitary confinement and forced to listen loud classical music of which I still detest. Although, it did make us firm friends after all I’d seen his raw courage in the midst of trouble.

John was given a life sentence for his involvement in the killing of the RUC man and like me was eventually transferred to the H-Blocks of Long Kesh. Were he was always available to help the IRA and his fellow comrades. Just before my release in 1996, John sent me a lovely letter from another block to wish me all the best of luck for the future. I responded in kind and hoped the fledgling Irish Peace Process would help secure an early release for him also.

I last spoke to J.B. a few months back while visiting a relative of mine in Maghaberry Gaol. We spoke for a few minutes and he expressed the hope that he would be free around October. I was glad to hear this news, as he had spent a considerable period behind bars and we parted promising to look one another up.

Last Friday, John was physically attacked in his native Strabane. Soon afterwards, his attacker made a detailed statement to the RUC/PSNI accusing him of threatening his life and as a result, John was again arrested and taken to Strand Road Barracks in Derry. Within hours, J.B. had been threatened with having his life sentence revoked unless he became an informer in the ongoing intelligence war against Irish Republicans. He rightly refused and reported the immoral approach by the RUC/PSNI Special Branch to his Solicitor. He was then told by the Branch that he would be soon returning to Maghaberry.

Hours later Volunteer. John Brady was found dead by the same Solicitor in suspicious circumstances. On behalf of North Belfast RNU, I’d like to extend my heartfelt sympathies to the entire Brady Clann at this sad time. I also echo calls for a full independent inquiry into the events which led to Volunteer, Brady’s untimely death oiche mhaith Comradai……..

‘The Rhythm of Time’

The following poem was one of a number of inspirational poems written by North Belfast born and the first of ten Political Prisoners to die on Hunger-Strike in the summer of 1981, Bobby Sands. Like many of his friends, Bobby was an IRA Volunteer and spent most of his adult life incarcerated in Long Kesh Prison. Were he became an accomplished Writer, Poet, Singer and Leader.

The Rhythm of Time is an excellent ode penned by the revolutionary and pays tribute to the historic resistance of warrior slaves led by Spartacus, Indigenous Americans, European and Irish Republicans. Who despite being oppressed incarcerated and massacred struggled for freedom, knowing their cause was just.

As Bobby rightly said in the last verse/stanza;
It lights the dark of this prison cell, It thunders forth its might, It is 'the undauntable thought', my friend, That thought that says 'I'm right! '

There's an inner thing in every man, Do you know this thing my friend? It has withstood the blows of a million years, And will do so to the end.It was born when time did not exist, And it grew up out of life, It cut down evil's strangling vines, Like a slashing searing knife.

It lit fires when fires were not, And burnt the mind of man, Tempering leandened hearts to steel, From the time that time began.It wept by the waters of Babylon, And when all men were a loss, It screeched in writhing agony, And it hung bleeding from the Cross.It died in Rome by lion and sword, And in defiant cruel array, When the deathly word was 'Spartacus'Along with Appian Way.

It marched with Wat the Tyler's poor, And frightened lord and king, And it was emblazoned in their deathly stare, As e'er a living thing.It smiled in holy innocence, Before conquistadors of old, So meek and tame and unaware, Of the deathly power of gold.

It burst forth through pitiful Paris streets, And stormed the old Bastille, And marched upon the serpent's head, And crushed it 'neath its heel.
It died in blood on Buffalo Plains, And starved by moons of rain, Its heart was buried in Wounded Knee, But it will come to rise again.

It screamed aloud by Kerry lakes, As it was knelt upon the ground, And it died in great defiance, As they coldly shot it down.

It is found in every light of hope, It knows no bounds nor spaceIt has risen in red and black and white, It is there in every race.It lies in the hearts of heroes dead, It screams in tyrants' eyes, It has reached the peak of mountains high, It comes searing 'cross the skies.

It lights the dark of this prison cell, It thunders forth its might, It is 'the undauntable thought', my friend, That thought that says 'I'm right! '

For more of IRA Volunteer, Bobby Sands M.P. writing’s click onto;
http://www.bobbysandstrust.com/

Ardoyne – 'The Aftermath'

In July of this year, Belfast's Red Barn Gallery exhibited a collection of eye witness photography documenting the after effects of the burning of Bombay Street on 14 – 15 August 1969.Marking a tragic turning point in the history of Northern Ireland, the burnings were the culmination of catastrophic and widespread failures of communications, and were to herald the arrival of the British Army onto the streets of Belfast and the birth of the Provisional I R A.

The pictures displayed in Bombay Street – Taken From the Ashes were shot by gifted amateur photographer Gerry Collins, and the effect of their first collective public viewing were sensational.Gallery Director, Frankie Quinn, (himself a highly respected photographer) says "I knew when I first presented these images that they were something special, but even I wasn't prepared for the overwhelming reaction they promoted from the public.""Their most significant effect, perhaps, has been to bring to light the photographic collection of the late Hugh McKeown, who, while helping evacuate his family, captured the impact of the burning of Ardoyne on its people and its streets.""Hugh, like Gerry, was a remarkably talented amateur. His images express an instinctively artistic version and an extraordinary empathy, which makes themas emotionally compelling as they are historically valuable."

The exhibition features British soldiers enjoying and impromptu tea party (complete with cups and saucers) on a demolished street, Hugh shows us groups of people regarding their streets with stupefied disbelief, he shows us buildings which, only hours before were family homes, reduced to scorched ruins. In one image, two children pose at the wheel of a burned out bus. The bus's destination – Falls via Ardoyne – forges a striking ironic link between the two collections of photographs. As Ardoyne burned so did Bombay Street on the Falls Road.

Hugh's exceptional photographs are to be seen in public for the first time thanks to his widow, Terry McKeown, who was encouraged, after seeing the Bombay Street exhibition, to unearth his collection and show them to Frankie.Frankie says: "Hugh was an amazing and truly gifted photographer. He had an amazing ability to capture ordinary people struggling to cope in extraordinary circumstances. This is a vital piece of photographic history which everyone deserves to see. It's a fitting tribute to a fully inspired photographer."

A Chara,

I would like to respond to a number of Sinn Féin driven articles, letters and texts printed in the North Belfast News last week that included spurious claims against the Republican Network for Unity (RNU). The RNU is an Irish political pressure group with organised branches nationwide. We are not a political party and are not constituted as such. RNU subscribe to the 1916 Proclamation and the attainment of a 32 County Democratic Socialist Republic. Our goal is to promote and maintain core republican values and achieve our objectives by strengthening partnerships with strategically allied organisations, including Republican political parties, trade Unions, socialist and ex-prisoner groups.

On July 13th 2009, the RUC/PSNI was responsible for shooting eleven people, including children with lethal plastic bullets and was involved in repetitive baton-charges against local people. The paramilitary police also enforced a curfew around Ardoyne and neighbouring communities to support an anti-catholic march through the area.

Contrary to Mr. Kelly’s claims, the Republican Network for Unity (RNU) organised a protest as a dignified response to the above issues. That was due to take place outside Ardoyne Community Centre in opposition to the presence of RUC/PSNI personnel at the meeting inside. However we deferred holding a rally as it would have been inappropriate to upset children attending classes in the same building.

Hence, two (RNU) members including myself met with the Centre’s Manager and informed him about our intention to hold a protest outside. We also conveyed the amount of local anger at the inclusion of the RUC/PSNI given its recent hostility against residents in the Short Strand and Ardoyne. Finally, we asked could he notify those attending the meeting that if political police persist in using community facilities, future disruption and protest are inevitable.

With the help of shrewd propaganda, Sinn Féin has been responsible for attempting to elevate the RUC/PSNI in working-class areas as community orientated Police service. Far from being a civil police, they are managed by the British Security Service MI5, from Holywood Barracks. Who gave SAS assassins permission to operate with impunity. As well as, using special powers to imprison Irish citizens for 28 days and intern them by remand. Rather than acting as cheerleaders for political policing, it would be much more productive for Provisional Sinn Féin to re-engage with the majority of republicans and reject the above shameful human rights abuses.

On Monday 7th September, I also attended a meeting in Holy Cross Hall with many others to establish a non-party political residents’ organisation to replace the now defunct Ardoyne Parades Dialogue Group (APDG). Unlike Gerry Kelly, we went along as Ardoyne residents concerned about the amount of conflict spawned by regular sectarian parades and RUC/PSNI abuses against our community.

We did not disrupt or prevent a residents group from being formed. A working committee was indeed formed to represent those living in the Crumlin, Ardoyne Roads, Balhome Drive, Ingledale, Somerdale and Mountainview areas. RNU welcome this and offer the group our full support.

What surprised many there was the choice of the Chairperson, predictably a Sinn Féin activist. Who asked us to read the agenda and Constitution which had been drafted by the Safer Neighbourhood Ardoyne Project (SNAP) of which he is a senior member. Furthermore, the Chair conveniently disclosed that only residents from designated streets were entitled to join the new committee. What's more, Gerry Kelly MLA stated that, in future the group would deal with vandalism, burglaries and contentious parades.

Given the number of previous meetings held to discuss the actions of the RUC/PSNI, parade and subsequent rioting in July. Residents were rightly confused and expressed a number of reservations about the nature of the meeting and the committee’s structure and composition. The Sinn Féin politician intervened and reminded us again that the group’s constitution had already been agreed. As a result, more than half of those in attendance left the meeting including, a well-respected eighty year-old resident.

As soon as the others left, nominations for the committee were taken and a number of residents who live within the catchment area, reluctantly agreed to join. With the new group now formally established, a former political prisoner asked for minutes of the last meeting to be read out. However, his request was met with some hesitation by the Chair. After Gerry Kelly said it no longer mattered and was irrelevant. The Republican was then verbally abused by the Sinn Féin MLA. Unsurprisingly, he also proceeded to shout a number of accusations at myself.

In recent years, local republicans, socialists and democrats have grown accustomed to incessant and dangerous vilification emanating from the North Belfast Executive of Sinn Féin. Therefore, Kelly’s juvenile behaviour witnessed by two dozen residents was of little surprise. I guess this is what he and his colleagues mean by an ‘Ireland of Equals’.

Is Mise,
Martin Óg Meehan
Cathaoirleach
North Belfast RNU