Friends Of Colin Duffy

Dear Comrades,
Let me first of all let you know about the Friends of Colin website, www.friendsofcolinduffy.com
After the incident in March 2009 in which two British Army soldiers were killed outside their barracks in Co. Antrim, a witchunt started.
Despite no evidence and after harrasment by the RUC/PSNI - which the Duffy family has long been used to - Colin was arrested.
I do not agree with the killings at Massareene, but I do not believe Colin Duffy had any part in it and once again has become a victim of a frame-up by the RUC/PSNI at the behest of the British government, still operating in the Occupied Six Counties.
In 1990 his friend Sam Marshall was murdered, and it has since been revealed that sections of the Intelligence Services and the RUC were involved in this. Sam and Colin Duffy had just left an RUC base with another friend when they were ambushed.
In 1993 Colin was fitted up again, on the word of Lindsay Robb doing the bidding again of the RUC. Lindsay was later revealed to be lying and that he was also a UVF gun runner.
In 1997 he was once again arrested over the execution of 2 RUC Officers, despite witnesses placing him well away from the scene of the operation.
Fastforward to 2009 and Colin has been framed again and he needs your help.

If you are based in Ireland, please visit the Friends Of website and see how you can get involved.

If you are based in England then there may be a new Support group to be formed to support the campaign in Ireland. We will write to MPs and potential supporters to highlight the injustice and hopefully eventually hold public meetings and protests until Colin is released.

Please check the blog very soon for how you can become involved.

Slán

My View On INLA Weapons Move

The Irish National Liberation Army is an organisation which divides many people, republican or otherwise. Some would point to a history of feuding with the Official IRA, the IPLO and within the IRSM later on. But nobody can doubt the success a small movement had in military operations over a long period of time, while also fending off attacks from former comrades which cost them some of their most influential and honourable members.
Men like Seamus Costello, Thomas 'Ta' Power, Ronnie Bunting and Dominic McGlinchey are, and always will be held in high esteem by most Republicans. Men that became infamous and struck fear into the hearts of the British Army and loyalists alike.
What some may find hard to swallow is the announcement this month that the INLA have put their weapons beyond use, a move the (Provisional) IRA has previously made.
There were few noticeable comments and unpredictable statements from the British or Irish Govts or fellow republicans, but surely there must be some discontent from within the IRSM ranks.
Should the INLA of taken this step? Surrending arms to the enemy is always going to be divisive, but with the cessation of military activities for some years, and identical arms moves from the UDA, UVF and SE Antrim UDA, was there really any other viable options in the long-term? I don't think so.
I just hope that the Irish Republican Socialist Party can benefit from this and continue to do their good work for the working-class people of Ireland, whether it be in the Lower Falls, South Derry or Strabane.
2010 will be a key year for the IRSM and I, for one cannot wait to see what develops for the movement.

Sinn Féin Cuige Uladh AGM

AGM marks success of Sinn Féin’s strategy

BY EMMA CLANCY

“THE success of the Sinn Féin strategy was clearly illustrated in the outcome of the Hillsborough negotiations,” leading republican Sean ‘Spike’ Murray told hundreds of party activists at an upbeat and confident Cúige Uladh AGM on Saturday 6 February in County Tyrone.
To resounding applause, the Cúige Uladh chairperson said: “The party’s negotiating team deserve our congratulations for having done such competent and professional work in trying circumstances during the negotiations.”
Murray told the meeting, chaired by Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew, that the party had successfully contributed to creating the political conditions where major progress could be made towards implementing the outstanding issues of the Good Friday and St. Andrew’s agreements – in the face of political unionism’s determination to resist change.
“While this progress is very significant, it doesn’t change the fundamental nature of power-sharing,” Murray said. “The DUP’s mindset has not changed. The successful devolution of policing and justice powers to the Six Counties will simply mean another front is opened up in the ongoing struggle to ensure that inequality, discrimination and privilege are overcome, while we continue to organise for Irish unity.”
Murray said this demonstrated the need to increase political strength and said the upcoming Westminster election would be key to doing this.

PRIORITY CAMPAIGNS
Reflecting on the past year, Murray said that as well as topping the poll in June’s European Parliament election, cuige activists had successfully campaigned around a range of issues – including building solidarity with the besieged people of Gaza, pushing for progressive reform of the North’s discriminatory education system in the face of fierce opposition, and fighting to defend public services. Outlining the cuige’s priorities for the near future, he said all party activists and supporters were now focusing on mobilising to make the Westminster elections as successful as possible.
“This year also marks the 40th anniversary of the defence of the Falls Road, St Matthew’s and the Falls Curfew,” Murray said. “These are important historical and political events so Sinn Féin will be mobilising to ensure that they are commemorated while at the same time providing us with an opportunity, especially for the younger generation, to reflect upon and learn the lessons of history.”
He finished by saying that the challenges facing the party mean the cuige needs to pursue a vigorous recruitment campaign, with a particular emphasis on increasing the number of young people and women in the party. The AGM heard political reports on the 26 Counties, the Six Counties, the work of Ógra Shinn Féin and the cúige’s trade union work.

Read More HERE

Basque Solidarity Day - Dublin

On Saturday, February 13th, more than a dozen éirígí activists attended a picket in Dublin in solidarity with the Basque struggle for Independence. The O’Connell Street protest was organised by the Dublin Basque Solidarity Committee.

Up to 60 people, turned out to show their ongoing support to the Basque people, at a time when the Basques are facing a fierce onslaught from both the French and Spanish states. The protesters included a sizable numbers of Basques currently living in Ireland, who held a huge Basque flag which carried the message:

‘SPANISH AND FRENCH STATE REPRESSION WILL NEVER SILENCE BASQUE EXPRESSION’

The event, which lasted well over an hour, concluded with a short speech from Diarmuid Breathnach, Chairperson of the Dublin Basque Solidarity Committee.

Diarmuid thanked supporters for attending and spoke of the importance of international solidarity actions with the Basque country, particularly as Spain currently holds the presidency of the EU. The protest came to a close with the singing of a Basque anthem, by members of the Basque community who were present.

Speaking after the protest, éirígí spokesperson, Daithí Mac An Mháistír said, “Today’s protest is important as it shows the people of the Basque country that they have many friends and comrades here in Ireland, who will stand in solidarity with them against their oppressors. Today’s protest is also important as it brings the message home to the people of Dublin, that the so-called democratic states of France and Spain are guilty of the most appalling human rights abuses in the Basque country.

“éirígí supports the demands of the Basque Country for independence, and for our part, we will continue to do what we can in Ireland to highlight the repressive actions of the French and Spanish States.”

Fermanagh Ógra Hold Basque Information Stall

Fermanagh Ógra Shinn Féin were on the streets of Enniskillen at the weekend. They held an information stall and leaflet drop in the town centre to mark international solidarity week with the Basque country. Various actions nationwide were drawing attention to the Basque struggle and Fermanagh were no different.

The Ógra activists were accompanied by senior party activists from the town including Debbie Coyle. Throughout the day the Ógra activists engaged with members of the public on the issue of the current repression in the Basque country.

According to Fermanagh Ógra activist Chris Conwell the activists got a good response from the local people they spoke to:

“We are here today to highlight and call for an end to the repressive measures in the Basque country. The response from the public has been very good. Many were shocked to hear of what is happening currently in the Basque country.

“Such an increase in repression is counter productive and flies in the face of recent moves by the left independence movement. In recent months we have seen the pro independence movement set out their vision for the future of the Basque country.

“In it, the pro-Independence Left declares without reservations "support for a peaceful, political and democratic process in order to achieve an inclusive democracy, where the Basque people, freely and without any intimidation of any kind, will be able to decide their future.” They have highlighted the need to initiate a democratic solution to the Basque conflict. However in the following days the pro independence movement was given the answer to their endeavors to bring forward a democratic process when over 30 youth activists were arrested in dawn raids throughout the Basque country.

“The ‘crime’ of these young people was to organise and promote political ideals of Basque independence and socialism.

“We support the fundamental human, civil and political rights of the Basque people as laid out in the UN declaration of human rights and call upon the Spanish and indeed the French to end their repressive measures in the Basque country.

Volunteer Edward O'Brien (1974-1996)

Vol Ed O'Brien was a member of the Irish Republican Army, who was killed on Active Service on 18th February 1996.
He was originally from Gorey in County Wexford, a county which produced such great republicans as James Parle, John Creane and Patrick Hogan. As a young man he was a promising gaelic sports enthusiast and boxer. After joining the IRA in 1992 he became active in an Active Service Unit based in England.
While carrying an explosive device in London in February 1996, a tragic accident happened and it exploded, killing brave Edward.
It happened just nine days after the Docklands bombing operation in London.

Ed is buried in St. Michael's Cemetery in Gorey

Rest In Peace Comrade

Volunteer Frank Stagg (1942-1976)

Frank Stagg (Above) was an Irish Republican and Volunteer, who died on Hunger Strike, in 1976, inside Wakefield Prison.
Like his comrade Michael Gaughan, he was originally from County Mayo. After leaving School he left for London, working as a Bus Conductor and Driver, but all the while not forgotting his convictions and political beliefs.
At that time Sinn Féin had Cumáinn all over England, and he joined the Luton Cumann, which took in members from North of London, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire. He soon became an active IRA Volunteer.
Frank was arrested in 1973, accused of being a member of an Active Service Unit. Among those arrested was the English Priest,Father Patrick Fell.
After being transfered from Albany Prison, to Parkhurst he joined the Hunger Strike. Following the strike, he was sent to Wakefield Prison, where he started another strike, he died after 62 days on 12 February 1976.
He was buried in the family plot in Ballina, Co. Mayo, before being re-intered in the Republican Plot by Republicans later that year.

Rest In Peace Frank

Volunteer James McDade (1946-1974)

James Patrick McDade was a Volunteer in the England Department of the Irish Republican Army.
He was originally from Ardoyne, in North Belfast and went to Holy Cross School. His brother,Gerard was also an IRA Volunteer who was killed by the British Army in 1971.
James emigrated to Birmingham and soon after joined the IRA, becoming a member of an Active Service Unit.
Unfortunately, James was killed in a premature explosion in November 1974 in Coventry.

The Republican Movement in England planned a Guard of Honour for James'funeral, but this was prevented by the Catholic Archbishop of Birmingham. His remains were eventually flown to Dublin, where the IRA took him to Belfast for the funeral. There were many tributes, including from the Coventry Cumann, Sinn Féin, GHQ Staff and Oglaigh Na hEireann (England).
Belfast Republican Liam Hannaway was the main speaker at the funeral. He was buried with a firing party and full military honours in Milltown Cemetery.