Statement from Irish Republican Political Ex-Prisoners

We, the undersigned men and women, served terms of imprisonment in jails in Ireland, England and Europe during the conflict for Irish republican activity.
 
We are signing this statement to make it clear to communities, and especially young people, that Irish Republicanism has no affinity with the crude 'nationalist' hatred recently being peddled by racist and fascist groups stirring up anti-immigrant feeling.
 
Irish Republicanism grew from the three principles of 'liberty', 'equality' and 'fraternity' in the French Revolution. In the centuries since these ideas have informed our politics, which has always been Internationalist and Democratic in outlook. Our movement is secular and rejects religious sectarianism.

Many Republicans align themselves with progressive liberation struggles worldwide.
 
It is incumbent on all of us to continue this tradition and resist any attempts by Irish fascist organisers to claim the mantle of Irish republicanism for themselves.
 
The reactionary views of fascists have always been directly opposed to our beliefs, but now fascists pose as 'patriots' and 'community defenders'. The leaders of these groups played no part in decades of struggle in Ireland. These groups are directly influenced by loyalists and British neo-Nazis and other far-right elements.

We call on all Irish republicans of all ages, groups and traditions to become active in your community, workplace and the streets “to try and stem the rising fascist tide”.

Signed

Liam McCotter - Béal Feirste
Pat Hayes - Baile Átha Cliath
Liam Heffernan - Béal Feirste
Mike Edwards - Luimneach
Steve McCann - Cill Mhantáin
Noel McCabe - An Mhí
John A Heany - Ard Mhacha
Nick McBennett - Baile Átha Cliath
John Troy - Baile Átha Cliath
Ursula Ní Shionnain - Baile Átha Cliath
Pádraic Mac Coitir - Béal Feirste
Eamon Digney - Béal Feirste
Máire Drumm - Béal Feirste
Gary Kearney - Béal Feirste
Risteárd Pádraic Ó Murchú - Béal Feirste
Seán McGuinness - Ard Mhacha
Barry Murray- Fear Manach
Paul Finnegan - Béal Feirste
Colum Mac Giolla Bhéin - Béal Feirste
Frank Brennan - An Dún
Seán Clinton - Aontroim
Gerry Maguire - Fear Manach
Seán Montgomery - Béal Feirste
Patrick McCabe - Aontroim
Phil McCullough - Aontroim
Sam Caskey - Aontroim
Angela Nelson - Béal Feirste
Andy Gibson - Béal Feirste
Micky Vallely - Béal Feirste
Susie Vallely - Béal Feirste
Kevin McGrogan - Cill Mhantáin
Tommy McKearney - Tír Eoghain
Hughie McCann - Baile Átha Cliath
Conal Corbett - Béal Feirste
Paudge Lavin - Baile Átha Cliath
Colm Laighneach - Mhuineachán
Gerard Murray - Béal Feirste
John Crawley- Muineacheán
Frank Quinn - Tír Eoghain
Brian Arthurs -Tír Eoghain
Brendan Donaghy - Tír Eoghain
Emmanuel Conway - Béal Feirste
Dermott Quinn- Tír Eoghain
Daithí Delaney - Béal Feirste
Dee Fennell - Béal Feirste
Paddy Mullan - Béal Feirste
Seán Ó Fiaich - Béal Feirste
Richard Whyte - Cill Dara
Kieran Flynn - Béal Feirste
Roddy Fitzsimons - An Dún
Seán Fitzsimons - Béal Feirste
Dessie Donnelly - Fear Manach
Breige-Ann McCaughley - Béal Feirste
Anthony McIntyre - Droichead Nua
Liam Martin - Béal Feirste
Danny Lavery - Béal Feirste
Thomas McWilliams - Béal Feirste
Rory Morgan - Béal Feirste
Gavin Hawkins - Béal Feirste
Seán McGuigan - Béal Feirste
Barry Rodgers - An tlur
Sadie McLaughlin - Tír Eoghain
Bernard Fox - Béal Feirste
Joe McArdle - Ard Mhacha
Peter Corrigan - Tír Eoghain
Cornelius McFadden - An Mhí
Tarlach Mac Dhónaill - Béal Feirste
Tommy Fox - Béal Feirste
John Moloney - Cill Dara
Seán Carlin - Béal Feirste
Pól Mac Adaim - Aontroim
Michael Logue - Dhún na nGall
Paddy Kelly - Béal Feirste
Alec Carlin - Béal Feirste
Jim Harte - An Mhí
Gary Donnelly - Doire
Michael Gallagher - Doire
Eddie Campbell - Béal Feirste
Michael Dickson - Baile Átha Cliath
Jim Monaghan - Dhún na nGall
Phil McCullough - Béal Feirste
Johnny Creagh - An Iarmhí
James Ashe - Baile Átha Cliath
Stephen Coleman - An Lorgain
Pat McNamee - Ard Mhacha
Gerry McConville - Béal Feirste
Joseph Kavanagh - Béal Feirste
Michael Fitzsimons - Béal Feirste
Martin Livingstone - Béal Feirste
Simon O'Donnell - Baile Átha Cliath

Anti-racist Political ex-Prisoners are invited to add their names to this growing list by contacting antiracistpows@gmail.com

Former Irish Republican Political Prisoners Repudiate Far Right

Statement from Irish Republican Political Ex-Prisoners

We, the undersigned men and women, served terms of imprisonment in jails in Ireland, England and Europe during the conflict for Irish republican activity.
 
We are signing this statement to make it clear to communities, and especially young people, that Irish Republicanism has no affinity with the crude 'nationalist' hatred recently being peddled by racist and fascist groups stirring up anti-immigrant feeling.
 
Irish Republicanism grew from the three principles of 'liberty', 'equality' and 'fraternity' in the French Revolution. In the centuries since these ideas have informed our politics, which has always been Internationalist and Democratic in outlook. Our movement is secular and rejects religious sectarianism.

Many Republicans align themselves with progressive liberation struggles worldwide.
 
It is incumbent on all of us to continue this tradition and resist any attempts by Irish fascist organisers to claim the mantle of Irish republicanism for themselves.
 
The reactionary views of fascists have always been directly opposed to our beliefs, but now fascists pose as 'patriots' and 'community defenders'. The leaders of these groups played no part in decades of struggle in Ireland. These groups are directly influenced by loyalists and British neo-Nazis and other far-right elements.

We call on all Irish republicans of all ages, groups and traditions to become active in your community, workplace and the streets “to try and stem the rising fascist tide”.

Signed

Liam McCotter - Béal Feirste
Pat Hayes - Baile Átha Cliath
Liam Heffernan - Béal Feirste
Mike Edwards - Luimneach
Steve McCann - Cill Mhantáin
Noel McCabe - An Mhí
John A Heany - Ard Mhacha
Nick McBennett - Baile Átha Cliath
John Troy - Baile Átha Cliath
Ursula Ní Shionnain - Baile Átha Cliath
Pádraic Mac Coitir - Béal Feirste
Eamon Digney - Béal Feirste
Máire Drumm - Béal Feirste
Gary Kearney - Béal Feirste
Risteárd Pádraic Ó Murchú - Béal Feirste
Seán McGuinness - Ard Mhacha
Barry Murray- Fear Manach
Paul Finnegan - Béal Feirste
Colum Mac Giolla Bhéin - Béal Feirste
Frank Brennan - An Dún
Seán Clinton - Aontroim
Gerry Maguire - Fear Manach
Seán Montgomery - Béal Feirste
Patrick McCabe - Aontroim
Phil McCullough - Aontroim
Sam Caskey - Aontroim
Angela Nelson - Béal Feirste
Andy Gibson - Béal Feirste
Micky Vallely - Béal Feirste
Susie Vallely - Béal Feirste
Kevin McGrogan - Cill Mhantáin
Tommy McKearney - Tír Eoghain
Hughie McCann - Baile Átha Cliath
Conal Corbett - Béal Feirste
Paudge Lavin - Baile Átha Cliath
Colm Laighneach - Mhuineachán
Gerard Murray - Béal Feirste
John Crawley- Muineacheán
Frank Quinn - Tír Eoghain
Brian Arthurs -Tír Eoghain
Brendan Donaghy - Tír Eoghain
Emmanuel Conway - Béal Feirste
Dermott Quinn- Tír Eoghain
Daithí Delaney - Béal Feirste
Dee Fennell - Béal Feirste
Paddy Mullan - Béal Feirste
Seán Ó Fiaich - Béal Feirste
Richard Whyte - Cill Dara
Kieran Flynn - Béal Feirste
Roddy Fitzsimons - An Dún
Seán Fitzsimons - Béal Feirste
Dessie Donnelly - Fear Manach
Breige-Ann McCaughley - Béal Feirste
Anthony McIntyre - Droichead Nua
Liam Martin - Béal Feirste
Danny Lavery - Béal Feirste
Thomas McWilliams - Béal Feirste
Rory Morgan - Béal Feirste
Gavin Hawkins - Béal Feirste
Seán McGuigan - Béal Feirste
Barry Rodgers - An tlur
Sadie McLaughlin - Tír Eoghain
Bernard Fox - Béal Feirste
Joe McArdle - Ard Mhacha
Peter Corrigan - Tír Eoghain
Cornelius McFadden - An Mhí
Tarlach Mac Dhónaill - Béal Feirste
Tommy Fox - Béal Feirste
John Moloney - Cill Dara
Seán Carlin - Béal Feirste
Pól Mac Adaim - Aontroim
Michael Logue - Dhún na nGall
Paddy Kelly - Béal Feirste
Alec Carlin - Béal Feirste
Jim Harte - An Mhí
Gary Donnelly - Doire
Michael Gallagher - Doire
Eddie Campbell - Béal Feirste
Michael Dickson - Baile Átha Cliath
Jim Monaghan - Dhún na nGall
Phil McCullough - Béal Feirste
Johnny Creagh - An Iarmhí
James Ashe - Baile Átha Cliath
Stephen Coleman - An Lorgain
Pat McNamee - Ard Mhacha
Gerry McConville - Béal Feirste
Joseph Kavanagh - Béal Feirste
Michael Fitzsimons - Béal Feirste
Martin Livingstone - Béal Feirste
Simon O'Donnell - Baile Átha Cliath

Anti-racist Political ex-Prisoners are invited to add their names to this growing list by contacting antiracistpows@gmail.com

20 comments:

  1. Anyone know who shot the cop in front of his child in Omagh from this illustrious list?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Steve, it is probable that the cop was shot by some young guy not even born when the above were in jail. What those behind it thought could be achieved is beyond my imagination. It has as much right, merit and logic as a fundamentalist Christian shooting doctors who perform abortions: ,we the self appointed have the right to kill you. Ideologies that legitimise killing should be avoided like the plague.
      I am happy that the above statement was put out. I think it was very important given that some ex-prisoners are associated with this virulent hate ideology - one was recently charged over it.

      Delete
    2. AM,

      You're probably right. Maybe I should have posed the question " Of this list denouncing racism would they all sign that they oppose the attempted murder of that cop in Omagh?

      Delete
    3. My take....Anyone who joins the police force in the North runs the real risk of being shot or blown up in a bomb....Its a simple fact of life...


      As long as there is a British presence on the island, rightly or wrongly there will be people who will take up arms and use them against British state forces......

      Personally I wont lose any sleep over a cop being shot and I seriously doubt most Quillers didn't lose any sleep either.....

      Delete
  2. It is a legitimate question. Whether or not anybody will answer you, I don't know.

    The same type of question of those condemning it might also be raised: are they prepared to unequivocally denounce British state terrorism in Ireland?

    Not sure we will get any answers to that either.

    My answer

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My answer? Unequivocally.

      The comments section on your answer suggests some of those above may differ from your view however.

      Delete
    2. without having done a comparison and making a guess, I'd say you are probably right.

      Delete
  3. Anyone who shoots another person in front of their children are cowardly scum no matter the cause or whenever the crime took place. So glad my nephew was not on that pitch.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Do you mean what the IDF done in Nablus a few days back when they shot 11 Palestinians dead and injured over 100?

      Delete
    2. Frankie you crossed a line with that "not losing any sleep' comment. You have moved from being this weblog's resident court jester to its resident arsehole. And don't start a cycle of what aboutery either. Just STFU for now


      Delete
    3. Barry, ease up on the insults. You are all regulars here.

      Delete
    4. Frankie's comment is wholly unappealing to most of us but would you rather he said what he didn't believe? Suppressing opinions is not a way to get a measure of where people sit ideationally.

      Delete
  4. Does the above statement exclude Tim Parry & Jon Ball ? This month is the 30th anniversary of their execution by an IRA bomb planted outside a McDonald's in Warrington .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Slick it excludes them in that racism was not a factor in IRA attacks. Though it does no harm to remind us of Tim and Jon's tragic and unnessary deaths, no one could even try to defend detonating no warning bombs in a busy shopping area, for any cause.

      Delete
  5. I think the shooting of the police officer was horrible. I also can't help thinking that the two gunmen were nervous and unexperienced - they were close and their weapons didn't jam, but Mr Caldwell mercifully survived.

    Possible life long injuries and decades of young lives in prison will be the only tangible outcome of this act.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And lasting trauma for the child of the police officer and those children who witnessed the shooting, Brandon.

      Delete
  6. Barry....

    Frankie you crossed a line with that "not losing any sleep' comment.

    Did you really lose much if any sleep when you heard about the attempted murder of John Caldwell?

    How much if any sleep did you lose over the murders alleged to have been carried out by dissident republicans in West Belfast over the past few years? Both links are from Belfast Telegraph Spotify podcast... West Belfast ' Marbella' drug crew being decimated by professional hit man....... Sean Fox. Drugs boss murdered after protection money for dissidents not passed on ..

    You have moved from being this weblog's resident court jester to its resident arsehole. And don't start a cycle of what aboutery either. Just STFU for now

    If you want to hurl insults at me and it makes you feel better, go for it. A heads up don't tell me to 'STFU' I'm not 21 and I'm not into text talk. Plain English the next time so I don't waste my time Goggling for a translation. Incase you haven't noticed the only person who can can censor or cancel me is me.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Considering some of the above signatories were labeling anyone who opposed the lockdowns or were suggesting the govts were lying(hancocks leaks confirmed thus) etc etc as bigots,far right anti vaxxers etc, would it be too much to ask for confirmation if that criteria still stands? Especially much of what was spewed as 'conspiracy theory' back then has indeed become fact.
    And before the usual, 'far right elements had infiltrated' groups opposed to govt lockdowns retort is issued, I would just like to say that would never have happened if the 'left' had demonstrated some common sense and infiltrated the groups themselves instead of policing mask wearing and hand sanitizer crap. They missed a trick I.e ordinary non political people were roused to claim the govts were corrupt and liars and the left decided to mock and even chase them off the streets..........meanwhile now the left claims the govts are corrupt and liars! Lmao.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. even if the points you raise have validity - and they are certainly worthy of discussion rather than being dismissed as a rant - it does nothing to detract from the the above - any republican worthy of the name would oppose the far right.

      Delete
  8. I was appalled by all those murders and those committed in the Troubles. The New IRA and their Loyalist drug dealing allies are a waste of space.

    ReplyDelete