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http://www.irishnews.com/articles/540/5860/2009/4/11/614977_378196709530Dissidents.html
News
By Allison Morris
11/04/09
A DISSIDENT republican group which claimed responsibility for the recent murder of two members of the British army has claimed it may be willing to enter into dialogue.
The paramilitary group Oglaigh na hEireann (ONH) made the claim in an Easter statement.
In the statement, seen by The Irish News, ONH claimed recent events had shown “peace has not been made in Ireland”.
“Oglaigh na hEireann truly wish to see the gun taken out of Irish politics and will listen to anyone seriously interested in dealing with the core issue of British rule in Ireland,” the ONH spokesperson said.
The splinter group, thought to be made up of a small number of former Provisional and Real IRA members, claimed responsibility for a 300lb car bomb abandoned on the outskirts of Castlewellan in January, which was was said to have been destined for Ballykinler British army base.
The group also claimed responsibility for the recent gun attack on Massereene British army base in which two British soldiers were killed.
Two other soldiers and two pizza delivery men were injured when up to 60 shots were fired at the Co Antrim barracks by two masked gunmen on March 7.
The Real IRA also claimed to have been responsible for the murders of sappers Mark Quinsey and Cenzig ‘Patrick’ Azimkar.
As well as involvement in gun and bomb attacks against members of the security forces ONH members were involved in recent hijackings in Belfast.
The group has engaged in a number of so-called punishment attacks and beatings and has expelled several people accused of being involved in criminality.
There have been around 20 punishment attacks in the west Belfast area alone in the last year, which are believed to have been carried out by ONH gunmen.
The statement said: “The leadership of Oglaigh na hEireann take this opportunity on the 93rd anniversary of the Easter rising to reaffirm our commitment to securing a 32-county socialist republic.
“We wish to extend greetings to our supporters and to our volunteers. Also to praise the discipline of our volunteers as they face the uphill task of republicans of 1916 but like them they know it is a task needed to ensure that Britain finally allows the Irish people to control their own affairs.
“Recent events in the north of Ireland show that peace has not been made in Ireland.
“Oglaigh na hEireann truly wished to see the gun taken out of Irish politics and will listen to anyone seriously interested in dealing with the core issue of British rule in Ireland.”
However, SDLP assembly member Thomas Burns, who represents the constituency where the British soldiers were murdered, said the group were “fanatics”.
“These people are just outrageous,” he said.
“They want to take the gun out of Irish politics but they are willing to shoot anyone.
“They have no idea of peace or prosperity. They think that a united Ireland will solve every ill and they will put people through unbelievable pain to get it.”
The two British soldiers and the policeman murdered by dissident republicans last month are among those who have been remembered at a ceremony in Dublin.
The names of more than 3,500 people who have died during the Troubles were read out during a service in a church at St Stephen’s Green.
The annual act of commemoration at Dublin Unitarian Church is now in its eighth year.
The names of the victims were read out in alphabetical order. Chronologically, the names go from John Patrick Scullion, murdered by the UVF in 1966, the last, Constable Stephen Carroll, murdered by the Continuity IRA last month.
The organisers of the commemoration said the reading of the names “illustrates powerfully the terrible, random nature of death in war and civil conflict”.
http://saoirse32.blogsome.com/2009/04/13/easter-statement-from-the-leadership-of-the-republican-movement-2/
RSF news - Republican Sinn Fein - http://rsf.ie
On the occasion of the 93rd anniversary of the historic Easter Rising of 1916, the Leadership of the Republican Movement extends greetings to Irish people throughout Ireland and in exile around the world who are gathered today at the graves of the patriot dead or at monuments in their honour.
In particular we salute our Republican prisoners in Portlaoise and in Maghaberry, Co Antrim and assure them of our full support. They are not forgotten and we take this opportunity to endorse the recent action of the Maghaberry prisoners in clearing their wing of non-political prisoners.
This move was never more necessary in view of the circulation of garbled media messages which we believe to be British-inspired. We cherish our reputation and repudiate the smear spread about by the Provo leadership that we are criminal and not political and that it is permissible to inform the British forces about us.
We condemn criminality inside and outside the prisons and deplore the misuse of our name by those who collaborate with the British and urge young people to join the enemy’s occupation forces in Ireland. We uphold as equal partners and comrades “the Felons of Our Land” in the various prisons.
In the year since last Easter the war has been carried to the English enemy. Nobody should be surprised at this development by the Continuity IRA. As long as British occupation forces remain in Ireland that will be
the inevitable result of their presence here. The lessons of history are working out again in our time.
In the past year also the Lisbon Treaty which seeks to elevate the EU into a United States of Europe was defeated by popular vote with Republican Sinn Féin to the fore. As was the case with other results not to their liking, the outcome was not acceptable to the politicians and bureaucrats in Brussels and Dublin. We must prepare and work to give them another resounding reverse.
The global financial and economic system is now in crisis and Ireland is not immune from the effects of this. The greed which drives the capitalist system has enriched a small group and now leaves millions of ordinary
people impoverished.
The Irish Republican Movement has always upheld the sovereignty of the Irish people and the rights of the people against all who would oppress or exploit them for selfish gain. We reassert this sovereignty here today as we honour the sacred memory of those men and women who died to uphold that sovereignty.
Cowardly, craven governments may bow down to the might of private capital, often accepting pay-offs and “dig-outs” themselves, but the Irish Republican Movement, as long as it remains true to its principles, will not abandon the common people of Ireland and will seek to lead them to build a democratic socialist system based on justice for all.
Arising from the present crises and in the coming year opportunities may present themselves to seize the initiative. The SAOL NUA document charts a way forward and we must be always ready to act on it.
A type of “two-nation” mentality is being forced on us by the media. Ireland, we are told, is the 26-County State and the Six Occupied Counties make up another place altogether. Together both entities are, according to the official line, “the island of Ireland”. All Ireland is replaced by “all island”.
We reject such misleading descriptions of our historic country and pledge our allegiance once more to our one and only Ireland. Even as we prepared for our Easter ceremonies, internment without trial was re-introduced by the British government in our Six Occupied Counties in the form of 28-day detention. We must be on guard and bend ourselves to our great task.
— Issued by the Leadership of the Republican Movement, Easter 2009
http://www.derryjournal.com/journal/Arson-attempt-at-Derry-SF.5165513.jp
Published Date: 13 April 2009
Sinn Féin is blaming dissident republicans for trying to burn down one of the party's constituency offices in the city at the weekend.
The office at the Rath Mór business park was targeted in the early hours of Sunday morning.
A steel panel was screwed off the front door and a hole cut in it before flammable liquid was poured inside and set alight.
The fire caused smoke damage to the main lobby of the building and also to an interview room and a press office. A display of original photographs from the 1981 hunger strike was also destroyed in the attack.
Derry Sinn Féin Chairperson, Councillor Paul Fleming, said the attack was the work of "cowards."
"If those who carried out this attack think they were striking a blow for Irish freedom, then they are deluding themselves. I can best describe them as no better than counter-insurgency groups that are heavily infiltrated and controlled by British Intelligence Services.
"The only thing that they succeeded in destroying last night were iconic pictures of Bobby Sands' election victory announcement, portraits of the hunger strikers and other republican memorabilia," he said.
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sunday-life/march-of-hate-14267310.html
Dissidents in sick show of support for murders of soldiers and cop terror on our streets parade just miles from where policeman was gunned down
By Ciaran McGuigan
Sunday, 12 April 2009
These are masked dissident republicans on the march just miles from the spot where the Continuity IRA gunned down a police officer in cold blood. The diehards took to the streets of Lurgan yesterday to hear a sickening hate-filled message from republican veterans who declared that “republicans had done their duty”.
There was not a police officer in sight as 13 masked men dressed in military fatigues walked through the Kilwilkie estate in broad daylight.
Moments later they stood at the Republican plot in nearby Colman’s Cemetery where they heard sympathisers, including Republican Sinn Fein president Ruairi O’Bradaigh, salute the brutal murder of Constable Stephen Carroll — a killing which provoked outrage across Northern Ireland.
After laying floral tributes to the terror organisation that gunned down the Catholic police officer, a chilling statement was read out on behalf of the RSF leadership.
It said: “In the year since last Easter the war has been carried to the English enemy. Nobody should be surprised at this development by the Continuity IRA.
“As long as the British occupation forces remain in Ireland that will be the inevitable result of their presence here.”
A second statement, read on behalf of republican prisoners in Maghaberry jail, said: “Irish history has taught us that as long as there is British interference in Irish affairs, there will always be resistance as we have seen in recent weeks with the successful engagement of Crown forces.”
But only around 50 people attended the rally is support of a bunch of diehards who are out of step with mainstream republican opinion.
The rally came just days after Constable Carroll’s widow Kate told how she took comfort from the thousands of people who turned out in protest at the savage killings of her husband and the
Real IRA murders of Sappers Patrick Azimkar and Mark Quinsey outside Massereene Barrack days earlier.
“A handful can’t take life in peace and are taking things to the extreme, but I hope a lesson can be learned from this.
“People don’t want to go back,” said Kate (right).
“The peace rallies brought me comfort, because it showed how many people out there were appalled by what happened to Steve and the two young soldiers. If losing my husband brings communities closer in any way, I’ll be happy because that means he won’t have died in vain.”
So far three people have been charged with Constable Carroll’s murder.
They include former Sinn Fein councillor Brendan McConville, who remains on remand in the separated republican wing in Maghaberry prison.
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/letters/northern-ireland-needs-new-brand-of-unionism-14267643.html
What will leave Northern Ireland best placed to cope with the deepening jobs crisis and heightened security alert after recent murders? Closer links between the UUP and the Conservative Party, says Johnny Andrews
Monday, 13 April 2009
The recent moves by the Ulster Unionist Party to forge formal links with the Conservative and Unionist Party show the beginnings of normal issue based politics in Northern Ireland.
The two emerging brands of unionism highlight the differences within unionism and show the UUP returning to its traditional roots as its ideals and policies converge with the Conservative and Unionist Party with which it has had close relations since the Home Rule crisis and the foundation of the Northern Ireland state in 1921.
More than ever Northern Ireland needs a new outward looking and confident brand of unionism if unionism is to survive and be credible and recognised in the rest of the Kingdom.
The recent atrocities have highlighted the urgent need for the Executive to address the issue of sectarianism and deprivation in our society.
Sectarianism remains endemic and must be addressed and marginalised if we are to live in stable society and put violence fully behind us. While as democrats we all welcome the joined up approach of the First and Deputy First Ministers in condemning the atrocities we need to see action.
Sinn Fein/DUP in government have consistently failed to address sectarianism.
In fact, the recent five month stand off at Stormont emphasised the polarisation and institutionalised sectarianism in government enshrined by DUP/Sinn Fein at St Andrews.
The UUP/Conservative link will facilitate the consolidation of a more moderate, tolerant, inclusive, outward looking, free market, pro environment, brand of unionism under one banner.
This link will strengthen and give new impetus to the centre ground and enable the UUP as a non-sectarian brand of unionism to regain its pro union vote from the left of centre Alliance party which has continually failed to make an electoral breakthrough.
The new link will enable the UUP to fulfil its historic role as reaffirmed in its new party constitution to not only maintain the union but to promote and contribute to the union right up to cabinet level.
Unionists need full time representatives in the sovereign parliament rather than the situation at present where too many of our MPs currently have multiple mandates. For too long have the people of this province been disenfranchised and unable to vote for the government of this United Kingdom.
With the economy sliding into the most severe recession in 80 years the DUP who promised to deliver in government were caught in a stand-off at Stormont leading to paralysis government under mutual vetos and side deals, unable to make the big decisions necessary on the education system,the budget and the new stadium leaving both in limbo at best and chaos at worst.
They along Sinn Fein, their partners in government remain in a comfort zone of little Ulster nationalism, polarisation, carve up politics and state intervention. On the most important constitutional issue of this parliament, iea referendum on the proposed Lisbon Treaty, a number of DUP MPs failed to turn up to vote.
It is these important issues of state along with other reserved matters, the economy and taxation on which the DUP and Sinn Fein consistently fail to represent us with their part time or non- attendance at Westminster.
The importance of the upcoming EU election must not be underestimated as some 70% of our laws are now framed in Europe.
With Jim Nicholson, a Questor of the European Parliament re-elected under the joint ticket we can ensure dedicated, full-time, committed and effective representation in Europe.
Moreover, with Jim re-elected as a Conservative and Unionist he will have unique and direct access to ministers in a future Conservative government, this is the best way to defend Northern Ireland's interests.
There is now more than ever a need for a more tolerant, pluralist, inclusive unionism that can keep its head high and be proud of its diversity and historic roots in fighting for the maintenance of the union. With an increasing threat now also from Scottish nationalism, these links will strengthen unionism and give renewed impetus and purpose to ensure it remains a credible and recognised force throughout the UK.
In line with our new objectives and allied to the Conservatives and their policies of social justice, efficient public services, financial stability and a return to sensible economics, the Conservatives and Unionists can now offer a real and progressive outward looking confident vision.
This will help maximise the vote and attract the increasing numbers of English, Scots and Welsh voters moving to the province who have difficulty in voting for the DUP's alternative anti-environmental, more theocratic, divisive and confrontational style of unionism.
Above all the UUP will be in a position of influence with any incoming Conservative government in terms of public spending, new infrastructure projects and local taxation incentives for small and medium sized businesses, which will together form the backbone to economic recovery.
Johnny Andrews is a former party officer with the Ulster Unionist Party and member of UUP/ Conservative Joint Working Party
http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/McCrea-blasts-decent-IRA-comments.5164915.jp
Published Date: 13 April 2009
UNIONISTS have reacted with fury to a comment by Sinn Fein MEP Bairbre de Brun that IRA members who died during the Troubles were "decent, selfless and honourable".
Speaking at an Easter commemoration in Castlewellan yesterday, she said: "There are also 355 republican activists on the roll of honour. These men and women are victims of the conflict too.
"Most of them were IRA volunteers who were killed in action.
"We grieve for them and we share that grief and sense of loss with their families and friends. They were decent, selfless and honourable."
DUP MP William McCrea said he totally rejected Ms de Brun's comments which would anger not only unionists, but all right-minded people.
He said: "There is no comparison between the innocent victims of terrorism and those who went out under the cover of darkness and terrorised men, women and children right across Northern Ireland.
"Those who Ms de Brun describes as being on 'active service' were not soldiers, they were cowardly terrorists who murdered innocent people in the dead of night.
"There is nothing honourable about a cowardly murderer.
"I would challenge Ms de Brun to explain where the honourable role was in the men who tried to murder me and my family at home one Sabbath evening."
He said the Sinn Fein MEP's comments also appeared to be at variance with Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness's recent condemnation of those who carried out the murders of two soldiers in his constituency and a policeman in Craigavon as "traitors".
The South Antrim MP said: "The DUP has forced republicans to abandon their long-held beliefs regarding policing and the rule of law.
However, the comments from de Brun indicate that there are some republicans who have a very considerable distance to travel before they can command the confidence of the entire community.
"There is no room in society for the glorification of terrorism."
He said Ms de Brun's comments revealed her true feelings and said if she topped the poll in the forthcoming European election she would use her position to peddle pro-republican views in Brussels.
"We have always been aware of de Brun's greener-than-green credentials.
"This is only a snippet of how she would behave if she was to top the poll in the forthcoming European election.
"Undoubtedly she would use this as a licence to strut the world stage and spread her republican propaganda.
"Regardless of the united-Ireland spin propagated by de Brun, the fact remains that republicans' strategy has failed.
"They sit as ministers of the Crown in a devolved Assembly at Stormont where the Queen signs off on the legislation produced by Sinn Fein ministers."
http://www.irishnews.com/articles/540/5860/2009/4/11/614979_378199169442200takep.html
By Ashleigh McDonald
11/04/09
AROUND 200 people have taken part in a cross-community walk in Belfast which crossed the peaceline separating the Falls and Shankill Roads.
Priests from the Falls joined ministers from the Shankill for yesterday’s Good Friday walk to mark Christ’s Crucifixion.
The walk encircled the peaceline and was led by a cross-bearer. It attracted people of all ages from both sides of the divide as well as visitors from Germany, Africa, Canada and the United States.
Each person who took part in the procession carried or wore a small sticker which bore the flag of a country to symbolise peace and justice around the world.
Fr Gerry Reynolds, a priest at Clonard for over 25 years, said he was delighted so many people took part in the walk.
“This is the sixth Good Friday walk and it acknowledges the day that Jesus of Nazareth died for us all,” he said.
“We remembered the people of Italy who are burying the victims of the earthquake and remembered with sadness and sorrow the death of the two soldiers and the policeman who were murdered last month.
“We also prayed for a new community energy so we can work together and build a temple of peace in Northern Ireland.”
Also participating in yesterday’s peace walk was Rev Jack Lamb from Townsend Presbyterian Church on the Shankill.
He said he hoped visitors from other countries who took part in the walk would take the message of peace in Northern Ireland back home with them.
“It almost brings a tear to my eye to think that a few years ago we would not have been able to hold such a walk and I don’t think there is a better way to remember Christ’s sacrifice than Protestants and Catholics coming together and walking on the Falls and Shankill,” Mr Lamb said.
http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0413/heaneys.html
Monday, 13 April 2009 11:49
A special event is being held to mark the 70th birthday of Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney this afternoon.
This afternoon RTÉ and the Irish Museum of Modern Art will host a celebration of Mr Heaney's birthday at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham.
Listen to special Heaney at 70 broadcasts live.
The celebration will be broadcast live to RTÉ radio listeners and will include the broadcast on RTÉ lyric FM of three new pieces of music, inspired by his poetry.
The pieces were commissioned by RTÉ Performing Groups from composers Rachel Holstead, Kevin O'Connell and Ian Wilson.
Mr Heaney himself will also make a speech to mark the occasion which will be carried live on a special edition of The Arts Show on Radio one.
Minister for Arts Sport and tourism Martin Cullen congratulated Mr Heaney and applauded his contribution to cultural life.
'Seamus Heaney has made and continues to make an extraordinary contribution to our cultural life and has made us all extraordinarily proud of his wonderfully creative genius, which has been acknowledged around the globe,' Minister Cullen said.
http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/idsnkfeyey/
Monday, April 13, 2009
By Caroline O’Doherty
PATRIOTISM has taken many forms since the men of 1916 marched on the GPO to declare independence for the nation 93 years ago.
Then, the call went out to the people to be willing to sacrifice their lives. Now it’s their livelihoods.
The crowd who gathered on O’Connell Street in Dublin yesterday for the annual Easter Rising commemorations seemed to have more empathy with the men of history than ever.
Something in the words of Proclamation of the Republic, read anew by naval officer Lieutenant Erika Downing from Carrigaline, Co Cork, resonated more deeply this year.
Those words about reliance on inner strength, about "valour and discipline" and about "resolve to pursue the happiness and prosperity of the whole nation" could have been part of last Tuesday’s speech in the Dáil by Finance Minister Brian Lenihan.
Head chaplain to the defence forces, Monsignor Eoin Thynne, seemed to sense the mood, leading the crowd in prayer that the hope and vision that inspired those remembered at the ceremony would help the country in its new challenging times.
Some 2,000 members of the public attended the 30-minute commemoration under welcome warm spring sunshine that has yet to fail the event since it was revived in spectacular fashion for the 90th anniversary in 2006.
Defence Minister Willie O’Dea assured that plans were underway for a ceremony to mark the centenary in seven years’ time.
He said the events of 1916 and the sacrifice of the men who struck the first blow for Ireland’s freedom were as relevant for today’s society as ever. "The relevance you can see by the turn-out today. People are keenly interested in it," he said.
About 300 defence force members representing the three regional Army brigades, the Naval Service, Air Corps and Defence Forces Training College took part in the ceremony which was attended by head of the Defence Forces, chief of staff Lieutenant General Dermot Early.
President Mary McAleese command laid a wreath in honour of all who died in the cause of Irish liberty.
The ceremony ended with four Air Corps pilots performed a synchronised fly-by along the route of O’Connell Street.
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2009/0413/breaking13.htm
Mon, Apr 13, 2009
A rare original copy of the 1916 Proclamation could fetch up to €350,000 when it goes under the hammer this month.
The edition was owned by Rory O’Connor, who led an occupation of the Four Courts in Dublin in 1922 in protest at the newly formed pro-Treaty government.
The Adam’s auction will also include a telegram sent from the top army commander to his troops following the assassination of Michael Collins, urging there be no violent reprisals.
Director of Adam's Stuart Cole said the Proclamation was the highlight of the Independence sale, now in its fourth year.
“To find copies of the Proclamation are pretty rare and proclamations which have a natural association with people involved in the events are incredibly rare,” said.
Rory O’Connor formed part of the GPO garrison in 1916 but is more famously known for leading an anti-Treaty force which took over the Four Courts in Dublin in April 1922.
O’Connor surrendered after Michael Collins shelled the complex in June.
As the Civil War raged, O’Connor was executed in December in reprisal for the killing of Dáil deputy Sean Hales.
The Independence auction will mark the first time the unsigned Proclamation, which is said to be in relatively good condition, has been put up for sale, as it had remained within the O’Connor family.
There are around 600 lots being auctioned in the sale estimated to be worth almost €1 million in total, including documents and medals.
Another highlight is a telegram sent in August 1922 from General Richard Mulcahy, Commander in Chief of the Irish army, to General Emmet Dalton urging troops not to retaliate for the killing of Michael Collins.
The top commander urged his men to “stand calmly to your posts” and “let no cruel act of reprisal blemish your bright honour”.
It’s estimated to fetch between €15,000 euro and €20,000 euro.
The Independence sale will be held on April 28th in Dublin.
Last year an original signed version of the Proclamation of Independence fetched a record-breaking €360,000.
The document, which was in good original condition and signed by rebel leader and bodyguard to Tom Clarke, Sean McGarry, was purchased by a private Irish collector who wished to remain anonymous.
Separately today, the grandson of James Connolly and Molly O’Reilly’s niece will re-enact the hoisting of the Citizen Army flag at Liberty Hall in Dublin at midday.
The North Inner City Folklore Project is holding a pageant to honour the men and women of 1916-1923.
Relatives of families who took part in the 1916 Rising will be present for the parade to the GPO, where wreaths will be laid at 1pm.
The Proclamation will be read by Noirín Byrne, who will also call for the erection of a permanent memorial in O’Connell Street to the women of the rebellion.
PA
© 2009 irishtimes.com
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/7996748.stm
Move over Lassie, Laddy is Northern Ireland's new wonder dog.
The miracle hound fell 130 ft off a cliff on the Antrim coast and survived for eight days, trapped in a cave.
Margaret Williamson from Belfast said her family were on holiday in Ballycastle when Laddy, their springer spaniel, went missing.
"He disappeared on Saturday a week ago when my husband was out for a walk. The dog seems to have lost his footing and fallen over a cliff.
"We searched everywhere, all over the cliff. My grandson Conor Donnelly and my friend Teresa Gallagher helped us. There were posters all over Ballycastle and we could not leave the caravan site without Laddy."
On Easter Sunday, a yachtsman spotted the dog out on rocks and tried to get him to swim out to his boat. But Laddy refused.
He contacted the Coastguard and they rushed to the rescue.
A cliff technician scaled the cliff and winched Laddy to safety.
Ian Murdock from the Coastguard said the dog had a lucky escape.
"We are very happy to have recovered the dog. The cliff team did a great job. They used a harness and winch to get it back to the top of the cliff."
"We found the owner's number from a notice in a local chip shop and contacted them," he said.
Mrs Williamson said the dog, who is nearly three years old, was very dehydrated after his ordeal.
He had hurt his leg and had lost a lot of weight, but somehow had survived.
The family is delighted to have their wonder dog back home.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/7996748.stm
Published: 2009/04/13 12:19:59 GMT
© BBC MMIX
Updated: 10/4/2009
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