McIntyre says there is little support for dissident group or its political wing in wake of MI5 sting.
An ex-IRA prisoner has said that the New IRA's political wing, Saoradh, "poses as big a threat to the British state as St Vincent de Paul".
Anthony McIntyre said there was little support for either republican organisation in their own community in the wake of revelations that the dissidents had been infiltrated by alleged MI5 agent Dennis McFadden.
Ten people, including two women and a Palestinian doctor, are facing a range of terror charges following the sting.
Mr McIntyre said that the New IRA was viewed as “a pale imitation” of the Provisionals.
“People see it as an irritant,” he said.
It is not a serious IRA fighting a determined guerilla war against the state. It is known for its incompetence and ineffectiveness. It has inflicted no casualties on the state since 2016. Last year it killed journalist Lyra McKee when it opened fire recklessly during a riot in the Creggan, and it came close to wiping out a group of young people when it exploded a bomb on a street outside a courthouse in Derry.
Mr McIntyre served 18 years in jail for the murder of a UVF man in 1976. He is a long-term critic of Sinn Fein’s political direction but opposes continuing any armed campaign.
He added:
Apart from the risk it poses to civilians primarily within its own community, the New IRA does nothing more than make a bit of noise and give the state the opportunity to continue using repressive legislation and curbing people’s civil rights.
Mr McIntyre challenged Saoradh’s claim that last month’s MI5 operation was an attempt to crush the party.
“Few will give any credence to the charge that this is a state attempt to close Saoradh down or wipe them out,” he said. “My feeling would be that Saoradh poses as much a threat to the British state as St Vincent de Paul do — which is none.”
Mr McIntyre claimed he had not seen the party “use its energy on serious and substantive” issues.
What I have seen is Saoradh join others and follow a few groups around Belfast city centre, and shout at them on the street on Saturday afternoons. It’s actually embarrassing. It makes republicans look as bad as those that they claim they are challenging.
Scotsman Dennis McFadden has been named in court as being the alleged MI5 agent involved in the New IRA sting. It has been claimed that he organised safe houses for the paramilitary group which were bugged by the intelligence services.
Mr McIntyre said:
Spying is called the second oldest profession precisely because it is not a new phenomenon. Many agents and informers penetrated the ranks of the Provisional IRA. And the IRA itself has used informers in the past. The late prison officer, John Hanna, spied on his colleagues for the IRA. So when republicans howl about spies it is only because of whose ox has been gored. If a player in any game gives the opposition a penalty kick, their adversary would be a fool not to take it.
Hanna was a senior prison officer in the H-Blocks. In 1990 he was sentenced to life imprisonment in Maghaberry jail for helping the IRA murder his colleague, Brian Armour, two years earlier.
Hanna had been involved in plans to stage a large-scale prison breakout.
He had also given information on other colleagues during an affair with a female IRA intelligence officer. He died of cancer in 1992, aged 45.
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I personally love seeing healthy debate, analysis and reflection but it looks like a lot of what poses for academic or objective analysis lately is framed in a way that it is just being used to attack radical republicanism especially when we look at where it ends up. This may not be the intention of the author and maybe this linked article was heavily edited, I don’t know. Firstly we are lucky to have such platforms like this page and other forums to debate the direction of republicanism and thank you to the host for the opportunity to reply here but going on the Belfast Telegraph to say that any republican group is just being used to implement draconian measures is a bit hard to understand and swallow. What does that do to advance any anti-imperialist or progressive force in this country? Does Anthony really think that harassment of serious committed political activists would stop if Saoradh packed up tomorrow and headed off into the sunset? Whether it be establishment media in this case or those writing for well financed right-wing media outlets like GRIFT, the growing ‘former republican/pseudo intellectual/crank’ clique don’t offer much in way of answers to the unfinished business we have at hand. Should the dream of the 32 county socialist republic be forgotten about?
ReplyDeleteA revolutionary party’s first step I would see is not to think about being a ‘threat’ to the state but rather slowly build rapport and confidence amongst the republican community and build a movement that marries the best from traditional republicanism with newer ways of looking at things and organising. I really would not like to be as cynical as some of the old comrade’s club that do be on this from time to time and would love to see a new generation complete the work that ours didn’t. I wont say anymore as that would be hypocritical of me, I don’t want to be proscriptive but I would like to give a bit of hope to the younger generation and instill in them that the Republic, is or could be their utopia and that it is worthy to strive for. It remains a noble and righteous cause and one that could go a long way in dealing with the social and economic problems of the country. I remain optimistic that young people have the agency to analyse their own conditions and situation. I would not be so down hearted and looking at some people involved in activism today whether it be Saoradh, or any of the republican groups I wish them the best. They will pave their own road. It is always terrible seeing Irish men and women go to jail because of the situation in this country and I wish them the best whatever its worth.
Ps are the groups of people being followed around Belfast that you mention, the ones I hear with fascist/loyalist connections that are seeking to sow confusion and division amongst Irish people. Maybe a red carpet would be better for them?
Bartholomew (Tol) Deasmhumhna
Tol, these groups that are being followed around consist of women and men protesting against various issues such as the 'lockdown', masks and vaccines. Hardly fascist. If we aren't too careful they'll be following the anti abortionist folk around next and calling them fascist. In the new era if 'Irish republicanism' it seems no one is allowed to have a difference of opinion......almost Sinn Féin like, ironically!
ReplyDeleteAnti-vaccination, opposition to wearing masks and opposition to women's right to choose are all aresa where thde far riuht are cultivating rich soil.
ReplyDeleteTol, the first point of departure for any radical project is the frejection of armed stfruggle and associated nihilistic violence. The second is to recognise that people just do not want or are interested in utopias such as a 32-county socialist republic. Building Gramsciuan hehemony on kdey issues and among key coalitions is the strategic way forward.
Are you drunk? To be fair I wouldn't object to your wearing of a mask.
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