Today the Pensive Quill carries a piece from guest writer Helen McClafferty describing yesterday's face to face confrontation between the republican Gerry McGeough and the Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams.
Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams got an unexpected introduction to local
political issues in South Tyrone after 10am Mass at Eglish church this morning (25 April).
Adams was canvassing with with Michelle Gildernew who is currently struggling to hold on to the Fermanagh/South Tyrone Westminster seat. The pair, along with about ten members of the extended Gildernew family who now provide the rump of what's left of Sinn Féin in South Tyrone, were bunched at the gate entrance to the church, about four miles from Dungannon, giving out flyers to Mass-goers emerging from the country chapel.
One such parishoner was Gerry McGeough who is currently on trial in a Diplock Court on Troubles related charges dating back to 1981. McGeough is also charged with being a member of the IRA in 1975 when he was about 16-years-old. He was famously arrested outside a count center in Omagh following the 2007 Assembly elections in which he had stood as a candidate.
Unable to get past Adams and the phalanx of shinners, McGeough asked the Sinn Féin president why he was not speaking out against the use of Diplock Courts in 2010. A smirking Adams told McGeough to go away whereupon Gerry McGeough, standing in his own parish, told him to go away. An intense and loud five minute exchange followed during which Gerry Adams was left in no doubt about the local mood as regards Diplock Courts and Sinn Féin's refusal to speak out against them and the on-going harrassment of the McGeough family.
Adams eventually retreated from the face to face confrontation and was later seen being cuddled by Michelle Gildernew.
Several of Gerry McGeough's neighbours later praised him for his courage and congratulated him for standing up and saying what needed to be said.
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Yeah I read about that in the Irish News, I,m sure Adams wanted the ground to open up and swallow him when Gerry came out of the church,I hope some of the arrogance that Adams and his psf cronies exeudes has been taken from them.I read that Adams muttered some comments in Gaelic I would like to know what he said, I,m sure Tricky Dicky Mc Auleys wee recorder was switched of. I hope tat old saying about fooling the people all the time comes to pass with that man
ReplyDeleteGood piece Helen. The sheer arrogance of telling Gerry McGeough to go away ... The one thing Gerry McGeough and the Brits have in common is that neither have gone away you know!
ReplyDeleteTalking about being out in the country canvassing,one of the boyos minding Gerry Itwasnt me (who swears he doesnt work all the time for MFI or is it MI5) was overheard telling everyone about Big Bob doh brains and Gerry Itwasnt me up in Co Tyrone the other day, Bob doh brains said to Gerry Itwasntme "look at that flock of cows in that field"" Herd of cows"replied Gerry Itwasnt me,Bob the brains said "Course I,ve heard of cows ya numpty theres a flock of them over there"
ReplyDeleteVery recently an intelligent and articulate woman remarked to me that she believed Adams to be a "sociopath"
ReplyDeleteThis type of person has no attachment or empathy or indeed understanding of another persons circumstances or plight.
These sociopaths are at their best when they are confronted with vulnerability, because as trained and expert liars they can manipulate any given situation.
Unfortunately for Adams, Gerry Mc Geough would have proved a formidable opponent.
Would have loved to have seen him squirming.
Still might get the chance and these confrontations are on the increase.
didn't realise mr Mc Geogh was at liberty...RUC at the usual smear tactic and headgames.. D-lighted 2c this article it has done my heart good.
ReplyDeleteReminds me in '82 when Galvin confronted a brit at Divis and told him to go home and the brit said..i am home...Gerry must be feeling a long way from home..will he canvass in Xmaglen??
BTW Marty yer priceless DOH lol
It was something my newest bestest friend Larry Hughes said, in an earlier post,re, O Neill,s victory at Clonmell, it got me thinking,(this is were Nuala has a laughing fit)about Irish history and the men who stood their ground,men like Gerry Mc Geough, like O Neils rousing speech (leave out the church bit)and victory at Benburb,from the gap of death through to 1916, to those who wouldnt bend the knee in 69,when history is written about this period of Irish history will it be said that the brits turned the hounds of Ulster into Stormont poodles
ReplyDeleteAdams, the great leader, had to be comforted after speaking to Gerry McGough in the grounds of McGough’s local church.
ReplyDeleteMcGough asked him a simple and pertinent question and Adams’ gut reaction was to tell McGough to get out of McGough’s turf.
Does Sinn Fein have a policy on republican prisoners or do they accept McGuinness’ line that is a criminal act to be opposed to British rule? The voters would like to know.
Keep speaking out against tyranny Gerry from the SF/DUP or wherever it comes from
Up in the maiden City, the shinners have told Eamonn McCann, to take his election posters off Free Derry Wall.
ReplyDeleteThey calmed to have exclusive rights to the wall.
I'm curious to know, do the shinners have exclusive rights over everything in nationalist areas?
Squinter posting in the Andersonstown news, now knows that Gerry has exclusivity over non criticism and exclusivity over a grovelling reply.
Can I ask as did Squinter, what has Gerry and Sinn Fein, ever done for West Belfast???
Dia is Muire duit Gerry mo Chara
ReplyDeleteIt is a very complex situation with the Diplock Courts. I think the Sinn Feiner having a problem with the history of Gerry Mc Geough and having no position because of his high involvement for the 32 counties. Gerry Adams is unable to stand with a confrontation because of the beforementioned and therefore said - go away.... Gerry why not going to the felons pub and have a wee chat with some old comrades and maybe Sinn Fein where you outline your position without public.
Basically its against the so called "Good Friday Agreement" that former active members of the PIRA sentenced for any actions before 1998.
Furthermore in the old case against Gerry Mc Geough the swedish establishment forwarded their files to the german justice and Gerry went out as a free man. (Well extradited to the US for other allegations.)
I highly respect Gerry Mc Geough for his part in the republican movement and it is a shame, that the recent ruling Party Sinn Fein not able to remove the Diplock Courts, the 7 Day torture in Crumlin and the solitary confinement in maghaberry Prison.
Sinn Fein call themselves the political wing of the republican movement? They call themselves socialiists? No one in the 26 counties has any interests theiir day to day yelling and power sharing with the "fascist" loyalist Crowd.
Sinn Feiners - where are your political stands and views for the future, where is your political economic programme for the next 10 years?
We have the same situation as 1921 when the irish split and eamon De Valera formed the Republic against the will of half the movement. Sinn Fein is as mentioned the ruling Party and able to remove the Diplock Courts. And maybe show the republican movement with your so called peace process, that there are steps for an future in Ireland without british blood and plunder!
You are calling Gerry an Fascist? because he has a normal thought on abortion? 70% of the irish population votes against abortion!
Well some support the homos? Why we have females and males? The hetro life is normal,a family is normal, children, it seems that most writers not able to understand former POWs and the great support of our wives, of our families,the basics of social living! And you call this fascism?
Non of you wankers had ever a rifle in your hand fighting for the 32 counties.... you should bite your tounge a wee bit.... with your neurotic bullshit against a former fearless and faithful Fighter for irish freedom!
Slan agus beannacht dia leat
Re Marty's comment 'the hounds of Ulster have become the poodles of Stormont'.
ReplyDeleteAbsolute classic!
Mactire, Really curious to know what a "normal" thought on abortion is?
ReplyDeleteFor your information, your beliefs on abortion, homosexuals and the nuclear family are in keeping with the catholic, conservative right wing thinking in Sinn Fein and the DUP.
It is the same thinking, which led to the scourge of Irish women for centuries.
It also led to decades of infanticide, and it was certainly a prerequisite to the horrors of the Magdalene Laundries.
If you believe this type of thinking is not fascist! Then your wrong!
Fionnuala, what you mentioned is Sexism, not Fascism! very clear....
ReplyDeleteYou have no idea about fascism and concentration camps in your pink world. Unfortunately my Grandfather dead, otherwise he could explain to you about Dachau and fascism....
Explain what kind of community you prefer? What is your view on how millions of people in Europe should live together? (Own thoughts, not book wise...)
Drug Pushers in the streets, Madcup anti social Hoods who destroy any social living?
You know, we need a future for the people, we do not need failures, tell us your plans about the 6 Counties? How would you solve the 20% unemployment rate in the nationalist areas? How would you create a law book?
And whats with 600 000 Loyalists?
The Free Sttate has a green government, the grassroot lads who establish a 30 billion € programme for renewable energies....(paid by germann tax payers...) but having no clue how to bring it into work. Its one thing to make bike tours and another to run a government. I am just sick about such elemments.... my cousin is the biogas pioneer, we are really sick about such matters of selfish wanna bees who just yelling how bad the situation is (and walk out in protest in the Dail... thats all they can... walk out....)
Did you ever build a home, did you ever did something positive?
Ireland needs people who change the recent situation rapidly, anyone picking out one or two subjects. (Do you know Gerry Mc Geough? Two little toughts on abortion and homos not the whole picture, ....) I really don t give a f.... about Homos, as long as they stay out of my house or not abuse my family.
I have other things to do, I ve no time to yell how bad the world is... simple as that.
In Cavan 6 000 people loosing their jobs, any idea how to solve this?
Slan go foil
Mactire, if you knew the meaning of fascism you would know what you are currently spouting is a fascist ideal and it is an extreme form.
ReplyDeleteWith all due respect don't really need your grandfather to tell me what the ideology means, these days we have dictionaries, failing that you can always rely on google.
Pink world? Have no idea what that is? No doubt something deragatory to women, as i'm sure you believe there is a place for them, just like the homos and everyone else who do not seem to fit into your narrow minded macho ideal.
Still did not answer the question! I asked what is a "normal" thought on abortion?
The oppression that women have suffered for centuries was not the result of sexism! It was due to repressive laws, regulations and mindsets just like your own!
Sexism, does not even come close!
Why are you asking if I know Gerry Mc Geough? Does it really matter?
Or are you implying because someone like Gerry says something then it's gospel?
Mactire, your views on nationalism are extreme right- wing and repressive, there's a word for that type of thinking, I'm sure you could look it up.
Mactire, my son has just informed me of the defintion of "pink world"
ReplyDeleteApparently it is the way people like yourself define anyone who they believe are liberal.
If I occupy a pink world well then it must follow that you are currently floating about in a blue one (Blue shirts, Franco, Spain)
To be perfectly honest when I read your initial post I thought you were drunk! (Maybe you were at the old Sinn Fein water)
I just think it very sad that people who profess to follow a republican ideal can hold such intolerant views. People who claim to fight for equality and justice!
Then, dictate who can and cannot avail of the end goal.
Scary stuff Mactire, very scary stuff!
Fionnuala, nah - pink world menas that you live a life under normal circumstances.
ReplyDeleteA human has not only two seperate thoughts on subjects such as abortion. You have to see the situation in which Gerry Mc Geough lived. How can someone talk about fascism who was never confronted with such matters?
Fascism is a complex situation of a whole state.
Abortion is in some matters Sexism.
No, I am not a right wing hardline republican. Funny enough I am Lutheran, the struggle in the Six Counties have nothing in common with church. Thats just british propaganda.
When I was young, a teenager I meeet - I think her name was Amy Loughran from Wicca, an anti sexist paper and group in Dublin, that time 1978 it was even illegal in the Freestate to buy anti.baby pills.Its really absurd whats going on in such matters.
The post here was pure anger about the recent situation and the nasty thoughts of several people in several cases. Nothing changed in the North, thats the main problem. And former members of PIRA are in a strange situations. There is a huge danger that more and more members splitt or drift away because SF daeling in secret. And where we go from here, where is the inage for an united Ireland?
How can we solve the unemployment rates eg....
Thats important and of course the smash of the "fascist" diolock courts.
Slan go foil