Republican Sinn Féin Cork City and County

 
SAOIRSE -- Irish Freedom
Issue number 278 | June 2010
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Republican Sinn Féin members arrested in Belfast
15ú lúil/July 2010

On the morning of Wednesday July 15 two members of the McKelvey/Steele Cumann, West Belfast were arrested in North Belfast and taken to Antrim Barracks, according to a statement from the Cumann.

“The question must be asked were their names and details handed in by members of Provisional Sinn Féin who were out taking details at the protest against sectarian marches on Monday?

“If so this amounts to nothing more than touting. Members of the Provisionals have been active in intimidating members of the Republican movement in Belfast.

“Republican Sinn Féin Belfast utterly condemn the actions of this group claiming to be Republicans who are now nothing more than British touts, for once the Provisionals are sticking to their word and are informing.

“It has also come to light that some so-called nationalist politicians are pushing for the Housing Executive and Social services to become involved in Monday’s events. They believe that those they deem responsible for Mondays’ trouble should have their details passed over with a view of losing their benefits, houses or even their children being taken off them.

“This is surely an example of Stormont ministers abusing their influence, acting as judge jury and executioner”, the statement concluded.

Unwanted sectarian march opposed
13ú Iúil/July 2010

Republican Sinn Féin congratulates the residents of Ardoyne for their steadfast opposition to the sectarian march forced through their community on Monday July 12, 2010.

Upwards of 300 members of the RUC/PSNI surrounded 50-60 peaceful protestors who sat down on the main road despite repeated attempts by armed RUC personnel to forcibly remove them.

Several members of Republican Sinn Féin took part in the sit down in solidarity with the local residents. Stormont member Gerry Kelly accompanied by his entourage stayed away from the area, but later gave the impression of having tried to play some kind of mediating role. I was just another round of lies and spin.

We do not recognise the Stormont representatives who are paid to be the eyes and ears of the RUC while posing as pillars of the community. They will not stop us exercising our right to highlight the bigotry of these marches and one-sided heavy-handedness of the RUC.

Over 100 plastic bullets were fired during subsequent rioting with several people injured by the indiscriminate firing by the RUC. Water cannon were also deployed in an attempt to push the residents back before the loyalists were escorted through by their historical protectors.

RUC chief constable Matt Baggott described the nationalists' reaction to the unwanted sectarian coat trailing as "recreational rioting". Being on the receiving end of batons, plastic bullets and stinking water from the cannon, would not be anyone's idea of "recreation".

It is time for this, and all other unwanted sectarian parades, to be stopped. Republican Sinn Féin will continue to support the communities blighted by these marches. No amount of rhetoric from the RUC, the Brits or their Stormont minions can hide the fact that nationalists do not want these parades forced through their communities and the consequences that ensue from the bully boy tactics of the Crown police.

RUC/PSNI attack nationalist estate
1 Iúil / July 2010

On Thursday, July 1 a large force of armed RUC/PSNI in up to 15 Land Rovers arrived to raid a house in the Drumbeg estate, Craigavon, Co Armagh at around 8.30am. Around 1.30pm they were reinforced by another five Land Rovers.

A member of Republican Sinn Féin came out of his home on his way to a local shop. As he did members of the RUC jumped on him and began to beat him with batons. Other Republican Sinn Féin members and local people went to the youth’s assistance.

Men, women and children were hit with batons, punched to the ground and sprayed with CS spray. One member of the RUC/PSNI drew his firearm while in the land rover. The youth was arrested and taken to Lurgan RUC barracks, charged with disorderly behaviour and remanded in custody until he provides an address in Lurgan, although he resides in Craigavon. He has bruising all over his body, his nose and mouth was bleeding, his face scraped and he had to receive medical treatment by a doctor at the barracks. Several other people were injured during the police attack.

Local people reacted to the invasion of their estate. Lorries were hijacked and burned to set up roadblocks.

The RUC/PSNI withdrew to the outskirts of the Drumbeg estate around 3.30pm but local people believe that they will return in force as the evening goes on. The RUC/PSNI are still there directing traffic away from Craigavon.

Two days ago the RUC/PSNI arrested and badly beat a 15-year-old youth in the same area as he was walking his dogs. Local people refused to let him go with the police until his father arrived to accompany him to the police barracks and there were clashes between the RUC and local people. He was charged with riotous behaviour and it is obvious that the RUC/PSNI is targeting the Craigavon/Lurgan areas in an attempt to stamp Republican resistance to British rule in Ireland..

Conditions in Maghaberry are violation of human rights
27 Meitheamh / June 2010

Statement by the President of Republican Sinn Féin Des Dalton

On Sunday June 27 the President of Republican Sinn Féin Des Dalton and its Patron Ruairí Ó Brádaigh visited Maghaberry prison.

Despite assurances by the Northern Ireland Prison Service the Duty Governor failed to meet Des Dalton and Ruairí Ó Brádaigh. However they did meet with the OC of the Republican prisoners.

The purpose of the proposed meeting with the Duty Governor was to put forward the 5 demands of the Republican prisoners for political status as well as to highlight the internment of veteran Republican and political hostage Martin Corey.

Speaking at a rally held in support of the prisoners outside of Maghaberry following the visit and meeting Des Dalton said.

The conditions being endured by the Republican prisoners are a gross violation of even the most basic standards of human rights and are likely to have a detrimental effect on the health of the men. Republican Ireland stands by the POWs and the campaign for political status must be intensified to bring these conditions to an end.

By their actions the men in Maghaberry are not allowing themselves to be passive victims of the British state but instead are giving the lie to the normalisation of British occupation. The struggle of the Republican prisoners in Maghaberry proclaims to Ireland and the world that British rule in Ireland is neither normal nor acceptable.

The 5 demands of Republican prisoners must be met now.

Republican Sinn Féin support for Maura Harrington

Republican Sinn Féin leaders to meet senior Maghaberry Duty Governor

The President of Republican Sinn Féin Des Dalton along with the Patron and former President Ruairí Ó Brádaigh will hold a meeting on Sunday, June 27 with the Duty Governor in Maghaberry Prison to demand the return of the right of Political Status to the Republican prisoners who are currently under 23-hour lock-up and engaged in a ‘Dirty Protest’. They will also meet with the OC of the Republican prisoners.

Following the visit both will address a rally in support of the prisoner outside of the prison at 4pm.

Republicans will oppose any visit by the Queen of England to Ireland

Brian Cowen's assertion that no obstacle now exists to prevent a state visit to Ireland by
Britain's queen taking place must be seen as a declaration that the process of normalisation is complete and the pacification of Ireland has been successful. British rule in Ireland can never be normal nor will Ireland be pacified while partition and British rule remain. Republican Sinn Féin will vigorously oppose any visit to Ireland by the Queen of England and calls on all Republicans to do likewise.

Cowen's declaration comes just days after the Saville Report delivered a damning indictment of the British Army and must be seen as a gross insult by the families of those who have lost loved ones as a result of British rule during Elizabeth Windsor's tenure as monarch. Only when Britain leaves Ireland for good and offers an acceptable apology for the wrong doings of 800 years of occupation will the conditions exist for a possible state visit by her to Ireland. In the mean time Republicans must be prepared to take to the streets in protest at any visit.

POWs in Maghaberry commence dirty protest
21 June 2010

On June 21, 2010, the POW Department of Republican Sinn Féin once again highlighted the plight of the protesting Republican POWs in Roe House, Maghaberry jail, Co Antrim and a brief outline of the reasons for the protest:

The protesting Republican POWs in Roe House, Maghaberry jail, Co Antrim began a dirty protest on June 6. Their protest escalated when the prison authorities refused to implement an agreement made with the prisoners at Easter to address their concerns at the conditions.

On the contrary conditions have deteriorated still further despite the promises of the prison authorities. The Ombudsman's report
-www.niprisonservice.gov.uk/publications -- made many recommendations but it is unlikely that any of the recommendations will be implemented while the prison wardens run the jail.

In fact the ten prison wardens, suspended in the wake of the death by suicide of a prisoner in the mainstream prison in 2008, are to be reinstated, resulting in the announcement on June 17 of the resignation of the director-general of the Northern Ireland Prison Service for the last six years, Robin Masefield.

The POWs have for some time tried to resolve the problems which they saw as unacceptable. These included long lock-up from anything between 14 to 21 hours per day, especially at the weekends. The controlled movement operated at the jail meant that only three prisoners were out of their cells at any given time, which also contributed to the long lock-up. It further ensured that the men did not have communication with each other. Education facilities were practically nonexistent, and the general atmosphere, and indeed ethos, of the prison wardens was oppressive and restrictive designed to provoke confrontation.

Today the Republican prisoners are locked-down for 23 hours per day. There is an increase in strip-searching despite the long lock-up and lack of contact between the prisoners/visitors; education facilities are totally nonexistent; yard time, visits, meals and showers must now be taken within the one hour they are unlocked. Because of the controlled/restricted movement the men are lucky if they get a shower every five or six days.

They have no in-cell sanitation facilities in their cell. Having no water they are unable to wash or shave; they have not had their hair cut for some weeks. Many of them have sores around and in their mouths which leaves then very susceptible to infection. Their weight loss has been rapid and their sleeping pattern is seriously disrupted.

The ethos and attitude of the prison warders is even more vicious and they are in total control of the jail. They make the decisions and as there is no overall governor they have a free hand. Governors have tried to implement reforms but to no avail, the prison warders refuse to implement the changes.

On June 13 they stepped up their protest by embarking on a dirty protest. This protest means they are now using the floor and the walls of their cell to take their excrement and urine. They had been using juice cartons for their waste but these cartons are no longer available to them. The men, when asked to, are refusing to strip naked for the screws and be subjected to intimate body searches which often means they don't get their visits.

This situation cannot be allowed to continue and we call on people to register their protest by writing/contacting all media outlets and also and in particular those nationalist politicians who sit in Stormont claiming to speak for the prisoners. Far from acting in the interest of the prisoners, it is in the interests of these British paid politicians, Adams, McGuinness, O'Dowd etc, to make sure this prison protest is not given oxygen.

The last thing they want is to be reminded of the part they played in betraying all the 1980/81 hunger strikers by signing away the status they won by 10 deaths in 1981. These people are part and parcel of the British government which is standing over the conditions in Maghaberry. They draw their big salaries' and would indeed occupy the office of Minister of Justice in the partitionist Stormont had not the Unionists objected to such a deal. But the Provisionals backed David Ford for the position, a man who believes the prisoners are 'in a situation of their own making'.

The following communication was received from Maghaberry jail, June 16,
2010:

“After having exhausted every other avenue available to us, we the POWs have been forced to engage in a protest to bring about an end to the degrading and inhuman conditions we find ourselves being subjected to.

“Our protest began after Mass on Easter Sunday when we secured the recreation room and erected barricades to prevent the screws [prison warders] from gaining access. We held this position for two days with upwards of 200 screws plus RUC in riot gear taking up positions around the area we had seized.

“Prison officials (accepted in consultations) in which we agreed to hand back control with the understanding that within 48-hours further negotiations would take place within the aim of resolving our concerns. The prison service reneged on their promise of negotiations, to no surprise to ourselves.

“Since then we have refused to participate in degrading strip searches and have been covering the observation flaps on our cell doors. Since then we have wrecked our cells in response to the search team removing a POW to the boards, where he was handcuffed to a steel bed and had his clothing cut off.

“We then had to pour urine under our cell doors to get rid of it, as we
have been locked down for 23 hours a day.

“In our efforts to resolve the protest we have met with the prison governors and found them uninterested to discuss in any detail the issues concerning us. We have also met with seven delegations of the so-called Justice Committee, which comprises members of PSF [Provisional Sinn Féin] and the SDLP [Social and Democratic Labour Party]. A further meeting was held with the Prison Ombudsman but to no avail.

“Having once again exhausted all avenues to us we feel the option left to us is to step up our protest.

“We call upon our families, comrades and supporters to organise again and step up their efforts outside with protests, letter-writing campaigns, leaflet drops and all other appropriate actions to highlight our plight.

“We salute your efforts to date and know we can rely on you in the future. For our part, on Sunday, June 13, 1020 we will commence a Dirty Protest.

“PRO Republican POWs

“Maghaberry jail.”

Bloody Sunday is the true face of British rule in Ireland
15 Meitheamh / June 2010

Statement by the President of Republican Sinn Fin Des Dalton

The long awaited Saville Inquiry acknowledges for the first time that the 14 people murdered on Bloody Sunday in Derry on January 30 1972 were innocent Civil Rights marchers however it fails on the crucial question of the responsibility of the British state for the murders.

The belated acknowledgement of the innocence of those murdered and injured on Bloody Sunday is welcome for the families of the victims but the Inquiry fails the critical test of identifying and admitting the responsibility of the British State for the murder of unarmed Irish people on the streets of their own city.

The Saville Inquiry lays sole responsibility for the murders on the British soldiers who fired the shots on Bloody Sunday and their commanding officer. This is a cop-out and ignores the chain of command both political and military, which pitted assault troops such as the British Armys Parachute Regiment against a peaceful anti-internment march. In August of the previous year over three days the same notorious British Army regiment murdered 11 people in Belfast.

Bloody Sunday is the true face of British rule in Ireland and the true face of imperialism as experienced today at the hands of the same army by the people of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Three times in the 20th Century the forces of British occupation have visited a Bloody Sunday on the Irish people. While British rule remains in Ireland the possibility of yet another will always exist.

The British Governments apology for the murders of Bloody Sunday is meaningless while it continues to occupy Ireland. A just and lasting peace can only come following a British withdrawal and the creation of a New Ireland built by all of the Irish people Protestant, Catholic and Dissenter.

Situation in Maghaberry Jail Critical
15 Meitheamh / June 2010

Information from the Republican prisoners (POWs) in Roe House, Maghaberry jail in Co Antrim report that conditions are deteriorating alarmingly in the jail. The Republican prisoners are continuing their protest to regain their right to political status, but conditions are worsening daily.

On June 13, in his oration at Bodenstown Stephen Daly said that: “For centuries the British imperialist forces have been guilty of horrendous and heinous acts of barbarism against Republican prisoners. Today is no different.”

On June 9 a POW reported to his family that milk/juice cartons are no longer being given to the men. Since the toilets and washbasins in the cells were destroyed by the men in a protest in June, the men have been using the cartons to urinate in and they then pour it under the door of the cell onto the landing. The men were using the windows to dispose of excrement but the warders blocked up the windows.

They have no clean or running water and are living in filthy conditions not fit for human habitation. Showers are being denied and some of the Republican prisoners have not have not had a shower in up to three weeks.

The continued harassment by the prison warders has reached a new level, that of asking POWs to spy and inform on their comrades. This mental harassment, while nothing new in itself, is part of the campaign by the prison warders to break the spirit of the Republican prisoners. One warder told a POW who let his comrades know what he was asked to do, replied “I’ll be back you Fenian bastard”. They are the people who run the jail and who do exactly what they like including assaulting prisoners on a daily basis.

The warders claim that ‘staff shortages’ are causing the 23-hour lockdown in the jail is blatantly untrue. It takes three warders to accompany one prisoner when unlocked and up to five to strip-search a prisoner, so there is no shortage. They are using that as an excuse to make life as hard as possible for the men.

The report from Pauline McCabe, the prisoner ombudsman, on June 10 made 16 recommendations including “an immediate review into locking-down prisoners” and said that “the prisoners in Roe House had effectively served their punishments for an Easter protest” after more than 69 days. She also recommended the men should be allowed to eat together (they also go to Mass together). This being the case why cannot the men mix together all day? Why such restriction of movement?

The report and recommendations fall far short of what is really needed at Maghaberry – an investigation into the conduct of the prison warders would go a long way to resolving the issue and restoring political status to the Republican prisoners in Roe House, who now find themselves in the appalling situation where they have to urinate and defecate on the floor of the cell. POWs have been through this once before and it culminated in the deaths of ten men. We cannot let this happen again.

Move forward and once again strike a blow for Ireland
13 Meitheamh / June 2010

Speaking at the annual Theobald Wolfe Tone commemoration in Bodenstown Co Kildare on Sunday June 13 former Republican POW Stiofín O Dálaigh, Co Tyrone said:

A chairde agus a chomrdaithe

It is a great honour for me to address you all here today. As you and I gather here today we remember with pride not only the name of Theobald Wolfe Tone but the legacy he left behind. In the eyes of genuine Republicans he is viewed as the father of Irish Republicanism, a description truly deserving of a great man.

Wolfe Tone was only 35 years of age when he died for the cause in which he believed. That cause was to unite the people of Ireland, and I quote:

To subvert the tyranny of our execrable government, to break the connection with England, the never-failing source of all our political evils, and to assert the independence of my country these were my objects. To unite the whole people of Ireland, to abolish the memory of all past dissentions, and to substitute the common name of Irishman, in the place of the denominations of Protestant, Catholic and Dissenter these were my means.

To unite Protestant, Catholic and Dissenter under the common name of Irishman in order to break the connection with England, the never-failing source of all our political evils, that was my aim.

If the men of property will not support us, they must fall. Our strength shall come from that great and respectable class, the men of no property.

Tone was a revolutionary, he accepted in the short-term that debate on reform would have to take place but when talking would fail, revolt would happen. In 1798, like today, the United Irishmen would be scourged with informers like all revolutionary struggles throughout the world. There were and are those who are driven by the love of monetary wealth. In the case of Wolfe Tone his plans were betrayed to the British by a corrupt attorney.

The history of Wolfe Tone and the United Irishmen is known to all you who attend here today. It is imperative that we, the Republicans of today, lead from the front as our forefathers did. It is true of todays struggle that we face many enemies; we have those whose sole desire is the total destruction of Irish Republicanism.

These people have been corrupted by their greed and as a result they have allowed themselves to become entrenched in criminality. The British government has a vested interest in Republicanism, they have for decades infiltrated all of the revolutionary bodies. However it must be stressed that the British would fail in their attempts if not for the help they undoubtedly receive from the hateful type of person that becomes an informer.

Todays struggle is no different from the struggle faced by Plunkett, Pearse and Tone. We the Republican people of today find ourselves in the minority. Our dedication to see our country free from the chains of British imperialism has been used by our enemies not only on the outside but from within. We have seen those who pretend to be Republican tarnish the good name of the Republican Movement by involving themselves with criminals, drug dealers and known informers. These people have asked for support in their actions claiming they are involved in taking military action. What are these military actions they speak of, extortion, protection of drug dealers, racketeering and the shooting of teenagers; these are not the actions of a revolutionary Republican Movement. These are the actions of a criminal gang. Criminality cannot and will not be tolerated. The Republican Movement will no longer allow such gang lords to operate under the banner of Republicanism. Your dirty deeds have been uncovered.

As a result of these actions by criminals and informers, we the true Republicans must rebuild and regain the trust of not only our communities but of the whole of Ireland and the rest of the world. The road ahead will be difficult, we have a lot to overcome but these difficult situations are not insurmountable. The path we walk is well-worn, but it has not led us wrong yet. Of course there were those who deviated and they have the audacity to look over their shoulders and call us elitist. Well we say to you, the path we remain on is the same one our forefathers stood on, and if it was good enough for them than its good enough for us.

At this moment in time we have Republican Prisoners of War fighting for the reintroduction of political status. These men, some of whom are only teenagers, are involved in the third phase of Republican struggle. For centuries the British imperialist forces have been guilty of horrendous and heinous acts of barbarism against Republican prisoners. Today is no different.

Republican prisoners are locked in their cells for up to 23 hours a day. If a Republican prisoner has a legal visit he is then denied any form of exercise as a result he gets no fresh air. Republican prisoners are being subjected to strip-searches on a daily basis and now family members of Republican prisoners are being strip-searched on visits to see their sons, fathers and husbands.

Meals are handed in through locked doors, these meals are either served cold or lukewarm; bread has been handed to Republican prisoners already mouldy. Showers are being denied and some of the Republican prisoners have not have not had a shower in up to three weeks. Republican prisoners have been subjected to attacks by prison staff, one man received a boot in the face, a number of men have been beaten up by the notorious search team and forcibly removed from their comrades and placed in isolation.

The Northern Ireland Office (NIO), the British government and the prison service have denied all of the above, but as a former Republican prisoner I know that all of the reports are accurate. The Prison Officers association (POA) and not the governor run Maghaberry jail (Co Antrim). They have planted names in the cell of a Republican prisoner which resulted in the governor resigning. They are refusing to accept that change is necessary and that contrary to their assumptions the Republican prisoners are only looking to be treated with dignity and respect.

We the Republican people of Ireland hereby state that we will not stand idly by and let this abuse continue. The Republican Prisoners of War have our fullest support and dedication, we salute you.

I would like to finish by saying that the struggle in which Tone gave his life for is still ongoing. We the Republican people must move forward and once again strike a blow for Ireland. Let us not forget the sacrifices of the past and that the men and women who died for Ireland did so, not for any fringe benefits, but for the Republican cause and a united and free Ireland. There are those who are and those who pretend to be.

To you, the true Republican people who gathered here today, I would like to thank you for your attendance, you are following in the footsteps of great men and women and their sacrifices and yours will not be forgotten.

Stay true to the cause of Ireland.
Tiocfaidh r L.

SAOIRSE Editorial: IRA Speaks

IRISH REPUBLICANISM has faced and overcome many challenges and threats throughout its long history.

These threats and attacks have emanated from a number of quarters; most obviously the British and 26-County states but also from former comrades who for one reason or another have attempted to hijack or undermine the Republican Movement.

The motivation of such people is varied. It has ranged from attempts to divert the Republican Movement from its historic objective of ending British rule in Ireland and in the process transforming it from a revolutionary movement to a reformist and constitutional party. This was the objective of both the Stickies and the Provisionals in 1969-70 and 1986 respectively.

Others have been motivated by personal ambition and position-seeking. What they all share in common is the illusion that there is a short cut to a free Ireland either through dabbling in constitutional politics and its institutions or linking the Republican Movement with other groups who to a greater or lesser degree have strayed from the well-worn path of revolutionary Irish Republicanism.

Today yet another group has emerged who by their actions and words are attempting to confuse and demoralise the Republican people of Ireland. This latest group refused to accept the democratic decisions of Republican Sinn Féin as expressed at four successive Ard-Fheiseanna to reject participation in a Broad Front. Having failed in their attempts to subvert the Republican Movement from within they are now trying to do so from outside.

The statements carried in this issue of SAOIRSE from the leadership of Republican Ireland show that this group will be no more successful than those that went before them.

History shows that such groups are short lived failing as they do the basic test of providing a coherent strategy or leadership. We would advise idealistic young people not to be fooled by the rhetoric of such groups but to look beyond it at what they really represent. Such groups lead only down a cul-de-sac of futility and demoralisation.

Republican Sinn Féin is the only politican organisation that can provide the leadership and programme capable of harnessing the idealism and high hopes of this and future generations.

On June 6 the Executive of Cumann na mBan stated that people using the name of the Republican Movement for their own purposes were nothing short of traitors to the Republican cause. The organisation said that they would continue to support the principled leadership of the Republican Movement and Republican Sinn Féin.

Na Fianna Éireann in a statement on June 7 said that in view of the misinformation in the public domain regarding a new group styling itself the Republican Movement they wish to state that are fully supportive of the leadership of Republican Sinn Féin and the Republican Movement.

The Republican Prisoners Dependants Committee, CABHAIR, also reiterated its support for the leadership of the Republican Movement and Republican Sinn Féin.

See pages 8-9 for statements from the Republican Prisoners, Maghaberry and Portlaoise prisons.

Army Council intact and in control

THE following statement was supplied to media sources, including SAOIRSE, by the Irish Republican Publicity Bureau on June 8:

We have been requested to release the following statement:

The leadership of the Republican Movement wishes to make it known publicly that contrary to claims made privately by those attempting to set up a splinter group no General Army Convention of Óglaigh na hÉireann popularly known as the Continuity IRA has been held.

An unauthorised meeting which included non-members of the Movement was held under the pretence that it was a conference of local OCs (officers commanding). Some persons attending did so on the understanding that it was a genuine Army meeting. The numbers attending were much smaller than is claimed.

When it turned out to be an attack and an undermining of the leadership a number of people departed and reported to Headquarters Staff on what had taken place. As a result the principal people involved were dismissed from membership in accordance with the long-standing General Order No 13. Others were suspended pending an investigation of their position.

General Army Order No 13 states: Any Volunteer who attempts to lower the morale or undermine the confidence of other Volunteers in Army Leadership or in any individual in the Army Control shall be deemed guilty of treachery. Minimum penalty: Dismissal with Ignominy.

Two of those dismissed had each held senior positions over a period of years and as a result their responsibility for these actions is all the greater. The Constitution of glaigh na hireann is very clear as to the circumstances under which a General Army Convention may be held. The holding of an unauthorised meeting to supplant the leadership is without doubt an undermining of the Movement and will not be tolerated.

Similarly, we warn that the unauthorised use of the name of the Army can have consequences. There is no ceasefire. The Army Council is intact and is fully in control of all matters concerning the Army. It calls on all Republican-minded people to rally to its support as it moves on towards its great objective, the national independence of Ireland.

(Signed) B Ruairc, Rna

Footnote: An interview given to an English Sunday newspaper on June 6 by George Flannery on behalf of the CIRA is entirely bogus. The code word in operation since last year is still valid.
(B R)

RSF will not yield to threats

THIS statement was issued by the Officer Board of Republican Sinn Féin on?May 29:

The Irish News on May 27 reported that a number of people had issued a threat to hijack the offices and newspaper of Republican Sinn Féin.

Having failed to disrupt the Republican Movement from the inside, the advocates of a so-called Broad Front now attempt to do so from the outside.

In keeping with our mandate from successive Ard-Fheiseanna at which these people were overwhelmingly defeated we shall not yield to threats nor shall we give up our offices and our newspaper to an unrepresentative group. Our offices and newspaper SAOIRSE are the public face of undiluted revolutionary Irish Republicanism and will be safeguarded from all those who would attempt to undermine the struggle against British rule in Ireland.

We know who these people are and have been aware of their activities for some time. Some of them have held senior positions in the past and therefore share responsibility for the situation they now complain of.

They call for unity yet they themselves launch yet another splinter group, at a time when the protesting Republican prisoners in Maghaberry prison need our fullest attention. They should be rejected by true Republicans.

Sinn Féin will not be deterred by threats from our enemies but will continue to provide unflinching leadership to Republican Ireland.

Signed on behalf of the Organisation:

Des Dalton, President; Fergal Moore, Geraldine Taylor, Vice-Presidents; Joe O'Neill, Life Vice-President; Josephine Hayden, Líta Ní Chathmhaoil, General Secretaries; John O'Connor, Peig King, National Treasurers; Richard Walsh, Publicity Officer; Ruairí Ó Brádaigh, Patron.