I have been quietly observing the unsightly exchanges over the latest Brendan Hughes mural to appear in Belfast.
The real life Brendan Hughes was a private individual who shunned public attention. Unfortunately, he was not always allowed to sit quietly over a pint without being pestered for his thoughts on politics.
There are two things worth consideration here. Firstly, his opposition to the peace strategy evolved as he carefully analysed it's implications for the struggle. He once advised me not to act hastily before understanding the public mood: by public he meant the republican constituency.
Secondly, the process reached a point where he no longer supported the use of armed struggle in the context of the peace process. He felt there was no longer a desire for it on the ground. At the time,
I personally disagreed with him.
The Dark was a highly intelligent, complex individual with vast experience of the struggle. One did well to pay attention to what he had to say on important matters.
Behave yourselves!
His memory and legacy are being contested in the public arena by self-appointed defenders and detractors.
I just wonder how much of this infantile behaviour has anything to do with the man himself: I would venture very little.
The real life Brendan Hughes was a private individual who shunned public attention. Unfortunately, he was not always allowed to sit quietly over a pint without being pestered for his thoughts on politics.
There are two things worth consideration here. Firstly, his opposition to the peace strategy evolved as he carefully analysed it's implications for the struggle. He once advised me not to act hastily before understanding the public mood: by public he meant the republican constituency.
Secondly, the process reached a point where he no longer supported the use of armed struggle in the context of the peace process. He felt there was no longer a desire for it on the ground. At the time,
I personally disagreed with him.
The Dark was a highly intelligent, complex individual with vast experience of the struggle. One did well to pay attention to what he had to say on important matters.
Therefore, it is an insult to his memory to claim his legacy in order to advance a political argument. Even worse than this is to label him a tout in order to protect powerful political interests and reputations.
Behave yourselves!
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Alec McCrory is a former blanketman. |
I suppose Sinn Fein UK, couldn't incorporate The Dark into their narrative as easily as they did with Bobby Sands. His opposition to the peace process and view to discontinue the armed struggle made him a greater threat to their narratives. Bobby Sands never got to express his opinion.
ReplyDeleteThey covered for Scap and defaced the Dark. Says a lot
DeleteThanks Alec.
ReplyDeleteBrendan's analysis & his advice were both sound. Republicans got sweet feck all & by misunderstanding the public mood virulent oppositin would achieve little save but reinforce the popular Provisional SF position.
Your buddy Mackers called it right - GFA, was the death of Irish Republicanism. And R'OB called it right too - once Republicans accepted partition, by agreeing to enter Leinster Hse it was the begining of the end. As Rory prophesied in '86 the counter-revoloutionists would collectively crow 'Ah, we have them now!'
All over Alec, all lost, as Brendan understood. Continue to think of yourself as an Irish Republican if you will. My choice is not to allow myself be any longer deluded.
When the PIRA called for a "complete cessation of military operations on 31st August 1994, when asked to comment
DeleteBernadette Mc Aliskey replied
The war is over and the good guys lost.
Speaks volumes. Great article by Alex.
Sinn Féin denies defacing Brendan Hughes mural in Twinbrook
ReplyDelete