Shinn Féin Poblachtach Chathair Chorcaí agus contae
Republican Sinn Féin Cork City and County
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SAOIRSE -- Irish Freedom
Issue number 273 | January 2010
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Hillsborough Agreement no international role model
8 March / Márta 2010
Republican Sinn Féin confronts statement by Basque political leader
The Hillsborough Agreement is no international role model to solve national conflicts, Dieter Blumenfeld, press officer of the Republican Sinn Féin International Relations Bureau said.
In a statement issued on March 8th Blumenfeld responds to a statement made by the leader of the Basque national liberation movement Batasuna, Arnaldo Otegi. Otegi wrote in a message to the Provisionals Ard Fheis in Dublin last Sunday, March 7th, that the Basques should use the methods which were ‘successful’ in Ireland. According to Otegi, only this would bring a ‘peaceful solution’ to the Basque country. The Basque politician said: ‘The success of the Hillsborough Agreement shows that the roadmap works.’
Blumenfeld, spokes person of RSF International Bureau, said in response to Otegi: ‘The Hillsborough Agreement once again showed that the Provisionals are willing to administer British rule in Ireland and nothing else. It has neither brought us closer to a united Ireland nor to peace. The only roadmap they are following is the British roadmap to strengthen their occupation of Ireland.’
‘Otegi once more steps into his role as international cheerleader of the cul-de-sac the Provisionals follow for the last 25 years’, Blumenfeld said. In summer 2008 Otegi addressed a rally in the Basque country saying ‘there are no political prisoners in Ireland any more’.
Blumenfeld continued: ‘Otegi is blinded by the lies that are told by the Provisionals. We urge the Basque people not to follow this path. It brought no solution to Ireland and it will bring no solution to the Basque country.’
‘The only viable solution for both Ireland and the Basque country is a federal, independent, democratic-socialist republic as outlined in the political document Éire Nua. Republican Sinn Féin offers to discuss the situation in the occupied 6 Counties with all national liberation movements worldwide. We are willing to provide every international organisation with our alternative to British occupation in Ireland which is Éire Nua’, Blumenfeld said.
RUC Shoot Republican in the Chest in Craigavon.
5ú Márta/March 2010
At a press conference held in Republican Sinn Féin’s Ulster Office on the Falls Road in Belfast on March 4 it was revealed that at least three baton rounds (plastic bullets) were fired by British Crown Forces in the Drumbeg area of Craigavon in County Armagh on Saturday night, 27th February, at around 10:30p.m.
The RUC entered the area at around 10p.m. They claimed this was in connection with the discovery of a suspicious object – however this was simply a gas cylinder which had been discovered some 500 yards away at 12p.m.
The British incursion into the area was resisted by Nationalist youths, and three baton rounds were fired. Two of these were fired at the ground whilst the RUC engaged a Republican with the third causing him serious injuries to his chest. Republican Sinn Féin condemns unreservedly the actions of the British colonial police, namely the RUC, and congratulates the people of North Armagh in once again repelling the forces of Occupation.
Green Isle dispute is battle in economic war.
27ú Feabhra/February 2010
Statement by the President of Republican Sinn Féin Des Dalton
During a visit to the striking Green Isle workers in Naas Co Kildare on February 26 -where he met with the two hunger striking workers Jim Wells and John Guinan (February 26)- the Kildare based President of Republican Sinn Féin Des Dalton pledged the strikers the continued support of Republican Sinn Féin and repeated his call for a boycott of all Green Isle products while the dispute continues.
“The fact that this strike has lasted so long is an indictment not just of Green Isle but of the so-called labour laws which we are told protect workers. As in this case employers have been given licence to treat workers, as they will let rulings of the Labour Court without any consequences for them. If workers were to take a similar course they would soon find the forces of the state including the courts arrayed against both them and their union.
“The Green Isle workers need practical support and a boycott of Green Isle products would put immediate pressure on the company.
“Support for the march in Naas today (February 27) is essential in upping the ante on a company, which has shown only contempt for the rights of their workers. It is time for working people to take to the streets in what is an important battle in an economic war. An injury to one is the concern of all.” Des Dalton said.
Clonmult Martyrs Commemoration
21ú Feabhra/February 2010
The Annual Clonmult Martyrs Commemoration was held in Midleton, Co Cork on Sunday February 21st 2010.
The Commemoration Assembled outside the Courthouse at 2.30pm and lead by a colour party proceeded to Saint John the Baptist Churchyard where the proceedings were chaired by Donal Varian. After welcoming everyone Donal asked Tony Horgan to lay a wreath on behalf of Republican Sinn Fein and the Republican Movement on the grave of Voltuneer Deasy. A lone piper played a lament and a decade of the rosary was given.
The Commemoration then continued to the Republican Plot, Holy Rosary Churchyard. Donal Dennehy on behalf of the families of the Clonmult Martyrs laid a wreath. The Chairman then asked Tomás Ó Curraoin - Sinn Féin Poblachtach, County Councillor to lay a wreath on the gave of Commandant Diarmuid O’Hurley O.C. who was killed by Crown Forces three months after his comrades.
Donal then spoke about the sacrifice the Clonmult Boys, the men and women of 1916 and the generations since have made. That until British Forces cease their illegal occupation of part of this country the fight for freedom will continue. “We will not be bought by the Queens shilling.”
He then introduced Tomás Ó Curraoin - Sinn Féin Poblachtach, County Councillor to give the Oration.
Donal Varian then concluded with words of thanks to all who had attended and a reminder that the fight for freedom is yet to be concluded regardless of what former comrades may think.
Donal Varian introducing the main speaker Tomás Ó Curraoin - Sinn Féin Poblachtach, County Councillor
Colour Party at the Clonmult Martyrs Graveside
Donal Dennehy laying wreath on behalf of the Clonmult Martyrs Relatives
Gardaí question the Colour Party Commemoration on Main Street
RSF extends solidarity and support to Pat O’Donnell
20ú Feabhra/February 2010
The Ard Chomhairle of Republican Sinn Féin extended solidarity greetings to Shell-to-Sea activist Pat O’Donnell at its monthly meeting held on February 20.
Pat O’ Donnell was sentenced to seven months imprisonment on February 10 by Castlebar Circuit Court and is currently held in Castlerea Prison, Co Roscommon. In June 2009 Pat O’Donnell’s fishing boat was sunk by four armed and masked men in Broadhaven bay. Later the same month he and his son were arrested shortly before the arrival of the Shell pipe-laying vessel the Solitaire.
“Pat ‘The Chief’ O’Donnell and the people of the Shell-to-Sea campaign are to be applauded for the moral courage and exemplary leadership they have displayed in the face of attack by both Shell and the 26-County State. The imprisonment of Pat ‘Donnell comes at a time when Shell are preparing to carry out more pipe laying work in Broadhaven Bay. The jailing of Pat O’Donnell is an act of collaboration in order to facilitate Shell’s theft of the Irish people’s natural resources.
“Pat O’Donnell and the Shell-to-Sea Campaign are true upholders of the 1916 Proclamation and its declaration of ‘The right of the people of Ireland to the ownership of Ireland.’ We extend them our ongoing solidarity and support,” the statement said.
RSF Councillor Condemns the Current Policy of Emigration.
18ú Feabhra/February 2010
With the central statistics office estimating the number of people emigrating from the state reaching 65,000, Republican Sinn Féin councillor for Galway County Council Tomas Ó Curráoin on February 17 accused the present establishment in Leinster House of actively participating in a concerted effort to force the youth of the nation to leave these shores once again so that those at the top can retain their massive profits and bonuses.
Councillor Ó Curráoin equated the current government strategy to that of the British Empire during the 1800s when the people were starved off the land and forced to emigrate so that the empire could clear the land for cattle.
“This failed state is currently training the youth for jobs which will never benefit the communities that they come from. The youth of this country are now being trained for the benefit of other countries such as Canada, England and Australia. More than 5,000 nurses based in Ireland have applied to work abroad in the past two years, according to figures produced by the Irish Nurses Organisation (INO), which is quite ok as far as the gombeen politicians in Leinster house are concerned.
“People may recall the father of the current finance minister Brian Lenihan snr tell us ‘We can't all live on a small island.’ If this state cannot support the people living in the state then perhaps it is the state and not the citizens that is the problem and perhaps it is now time to change the political infrastructure of this island to one that benefits all of the inhabitants of the island.
“The current political system is the continuation of British imperialism and is certainly not the one that the men and women of 1916 fought and died for. We in Republican Sinn Féin have an alternative to the present system which does not include the exportation of our youth for the benefits of other countries; these alternatives are called ÉIRE NUA and SAOL NUA and are available on organisation’s website at www.rsf.ie.”
RUC Search Visitors in Maghaberry.
19ú Feabhra/February 2010
It has emerged that visitors to Republican prisoners in Maghaberry Gaol in County Antrim have been subjected to strip searches carried out by the RUC. These searches are were carried out after claiming a “positive indication” by a sniffer dog. No drugs have been found yet visitors are refused entry and visits are cancelled.
However last month a visitor was threatened with arrest by the RUC if he refused to consent to strip searching. He was held for over half an hour whilst the search was conducted.
Family members are now reluctant to visit their loved ones. Republican Sinn Féin calls on those in the human rights bodies to condemn this action by the NIO and the British securocrats.
No drugs have ever been found on any Republican prisoner or any of their visitors. Nor have any drugs or any paraphernalia ever been found on the Republican landing. Drugs have never been tolerated by Republican prisoners and this fact is widely acknowledged by those in administration within Maghaberry.
Below is a statement from a visitor to Maghaberry Gaol on January 20th, 2010:
“When I arrived at the prison at 2:35p.m. my mother and I got the Quaker bus that ferries visitors to the visits. On approaching the turnstile I noticed a large queue of visitors. People were talking about what was the hold up. Then I overheard a woman saying that the RUC were carrying out strip searches on visitors going in to see Republican PoWs.
“I went through the turnstile into a room where I noticed four RUC men and two screws standing at the back of the room with a black Labrador dog. I was fourth in line, my mother was fifth behind me. As my turn came I noticed a screw approach me with the dog. As the dog approached where I was standing, I noticed the screw jerk the dog’s lead. As he did so the dog lay down at my feet. Then the screw with the dog told me to stand aside and wait. Then I was approached by two RUC men and told to go into a room where I was told that because the dog had given me a ‘positive indication’ as they called it, that I would be subjected to a full body search – in other words a strip search.
“When I refused to comply I was ordered either to comply with the search or be taken to Lisburn RUC barracks. When I queried why I was being arrested I was told that I would be arrested under the 'Misuse of Drugs Act'. Immediately I sounded my objections to the search and also questioned why the RUC were carrying it out rather than the screws. They denied me an answer. When I was in the room I was told to remove my clothes on my upper body and was told to spread my arms up against the wall and my upper body and clothes were searched.
“After being searched I was told to put them on again. Then they told me to remove my shoes and then to remove one sock at a time and shake them. I was allowed to put my socks back on. Then I was told to take my jeans off and then my underwear and shake them while the RUC were sniggering and laughing at me. Then I was told to put my hands up against the wall and made to lift my left leg up 10 inches for about 20 seconds and then repeat with the right. I was told to put my clothes back on.
“I was then told I would be getting a box visit knowing that Republican PoWs don’t accept box visits. I let my mother go on into the visit. I was then escorted out of the prison. Later I found out that quite a few people went through the exact same ordeal as myself.
“I firmly believe that the British Establishment are using the excuse of drugs searches to disrupt visits to Republican PoWs knowing rightly that no drugs would be found. It’s just an excuse to harass Republicans. The exact time of my detention and search lasted about 35 minutes.”
Harassment of Republicans continues in Newry.
19ú Feabhra/February 2010
On February 19 the PRO of the Joe Conway/Brendan Watters Cumann, Sinn Féin Poblachtach, Newry, Co Down issued the following statement:
“Following on from the recent harassment and intimidation of RSF members and their friends in the Newry/South down area, it has come to our attention that yet again a well-know Newry Republican was pulled in by the British colonial police on the Millvale Road just outside Newry on Thursday, February 18.
“When the RUC member approached the car the driver was alerted to the fact that the man was in civilian clothes. He introduced himself as a member of special branch and spoke to the driver who he knew by his first name.
“The driver immediately asked was he under arrest in which the RUC man answered no we would just like to arrange a meeting with you. The driver then told him to f##k off and that if he wasn’t under arrest then he was ringing his solicitor.
“No need for that ***** we know your under pressure [again calling him by his first name]we also know that your wife hasn’t been to well. All we are looking for is for you to provide us with information on certain Republicans that you hang around with.
“They were particularly interested in an ex-Republican POW from Newry who they kept mentioning a lot. As this kept going on for roughly another ten minutes the driver then proceeded to ring his solicitor with the cop reminding him that he would be back in touch as he left.
“We in RSF in Newry are seeing a worrying trend here in that this is becoming a regular occurrence against our members/family/and supporters of the Republican movement in the Newry/Southdown area.
“They are now using personal things like wives/girlfriends/family sickness to get at people as if to say we know everything.
“We would urge our members/supporters, and indeed the general public, that if you are approached by these forces of the crown to report it straight away to your legal representative and to your local RSF Cumann. This comes right on the backdrop of all that is happening with regard to policing and justice. We must warn the public that those up in Stormont will have no power in what MI5 and Special Branch does.
“One final observation we would like to point out is that anyone involved in spying or informing on the Republican movement will ultimately be given up by their British pay masters as history has shown us how these faceless forces operate so take heed and tell the RUC Special Branch in no uncertain terms that you would not become an informer - your life is worth more.”
Carlow political status protest.
14 ú Feabhra/February 2010 
Republican Sinn Féin held a very successful picket in Carlow Town supporting the right of political status for Republican prisoners. The picket took place on Saturday February 13 between 1.00pm and 2.30pm.
Those taking part in the protest picket very well received by local people and almost 1,000 leaflets were distributed.
Speaking at the event the President of Republican Sinn Féin Des Dalton, Kildare said that Republican Sinn Féin were there to highlight the fact that there were still political prisoners in Ireland and will always be so long as British occupation remains.
“Since 1917 twenty-two Irish Republican prisoners have given their lives to uphold the right to political status a status which the British Government is withholding from the Republican prisoners in Maghaberry in Co Antrim.
“These men along with their comrades in Portlaoise are imprisoned for the same cause and follow in the footsteps of Ashe, MacSwiney and Sands. Their struggle is for a New Ireland for all the Irish people. An Ireland which will be worthy of the sacrifices of all who died for Irish Freedom and will live up to the ideals of the 1916 Proclamation.” Des Dalton said
