Irish Republican News: Archives

October 26, 2012

Internment by deception

A County Tyrone republican has lashed out at the justice system in the North of Ireland after charges against him and four others were quietly dropped by Crown prosecutors this week -- after more than 14 months held without bail at Maghaberry prison.

PSNI attacked as tensions continue

The PSNI said one of its patrols was targeted in an attack in Poleglass, on the outskirts of west Belfast, on Thursday evening.

Judge orders continuation of Price’s detention

After almost 18 months interned without trial, a court in Derry has insisted that Irish political activist Marian Price should remain incarcerated despite the evidence of prison and UN doctors that she is unfit to stand trial.

New investigation into PSNI collusion with UVF

A decision by the Police Ombudsman to investigate allegations of collusion between the PSNI and the unionist paramilitary UVF has been welcomed.

Politicians clash over republicanism, reconciliation

Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams has said that the attainment of Irish unity through reconciliation would represent the “big democratic phase” of his party’s struggle as he and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin clashed over the mantle of constitutional Irish nationalism this week.

British ‘blacklist’ confirmed

British spy agency MI5 investigated Irish construction workers in England during the 1970s through a bogus consulting company and had them blacklisted with major employers as a result, it has emerged.

Providing realistic alternative policies

The full text of a wide-ranging address on Thursday October 25th by Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams in Trim, County Meath.

Wrong Tone

It would be useful if in the process of shaking off its recent past, rebranding and reviving Fianna Fáil, whether as the republican party or the party of a new form of republicanism, that Mr Martin would go beyond old platitudes.

October 19, 2012

Kenny says ‘No’

The 26-County Taoiseach Enda Kenny has ruled out any political moves towards a united Ireland by 2016, the centenary of the Easter Rising, despite a historic step towards Scottish independence this week.

Loyalists to march past church once again

The anti-Catholic Orange Order is to hold yet another march past St Patrick’s Catholic Church in Belfast, despite again failing to talk to the nearby Carrick Hill residents’ group.

RUC killer testifies

The man who shot Pearse Jordan dead has finally given evidence at his inquest, despite having previously refused to take part in proceedings for nearly a decade.

North-South body meets

The first meeting of the North-South Inter-Parliamentary Association has been held, over 14 years after it was planned as part of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.

Judicial review for shoot-to-kill inquest

The family of one of two IRA Volunteers shot dead by the British Army’s ‘elite’ SAS unit has won permission to challenge an inquest verdict that the killings were justified.

Cash windfall for Apprentice Boys

More than two million pounds worth of financial assistance has been granted to a sectarian marching organisation from the European Union’s PEACE III programme.

A day in Maghaberry

It fills me with great pride to play a small part in this phase of the prison struggle.

A border poll is the next step

A little bit of history was made in the Seanad chamber in Leinster House last Friday.

October 12, 2012

The Burnings 2012

A Catholic mother and her three children narrowly escaped being burned to death today following a loyalist attack.

Charity shamed over link to killer regiment

An Irish children’s charity has been inundated with complaints after it engaged a unit of a murderous British Army regiment to take part in a charity fundraiser.

Amnesty concern over British torture cover-up

There have been calls for a full investigation into cases of torture, including waterboarding, by members of the RUC and British army in Ireland during the 1970s.

IRA membership case immersed in legal quagmire

Four west Belfast nationalists facing charges of membership of the Provisional IRA have been named by a court in Belfast -- after almost three months of legal wrangling.

Ballymurphy campaign lobby Tory conference

Families of the 10 men and one woman killed by the British Army’s Parachute Regiment in Ballymurphy in Belfast during the early days of internment in August 1971 have demanded a Hillsborough style investigation.

Abortion clinic opens in Belfast

The opening this week of a private abortion clinic in Belfast, the first of its kind in Ireland, has been given a mixed reaction.

Letter writing campaign for Marian Price

Supporters of human rights across the world are urged to write an individual letter to British Direct Ruler Theresa Villiers and their local elected representatives to call for the release of Marian Price.

Irish solution has been to make most vulnerable pay

The response to the crisis in the 26 County economy has been a relentless assault on the disadvantaged, accompanied by protestations by the government of the day that everything possible is being done to protect the vulnerable.

October 5, 2012

Austerity protests multiply

A number of protests took place in Dublin this week as the 26-County government faced a mounting corruption scandal and a wave of anger over policies which favour the wealthy over the poor.

Orange law paraded in Belfast

There have been calls for the Parades Commission to be scrapped after legally-binding restrictions on the giant Ulster Covenant parade were again ignored by Orangemen and loyalist bands on Saturday.

More ex-RUC hired by the PSNI

More than 1,000 senior members of the notorious RUC police who left the force as part of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement have been rehired, it has emerged.

Dirty protest at Justice Minister’s HQ

A protest over prison conditions in Maghaberry prison has seen horse manure thrown at the Belfast headquarters of the Alliance Party.

PSNI declare ‘no risk’ to McIntyre over tapes

A High Court bid to prevent the PSNI police taking possession of confidential academic interviews with a former IRA Volunteer has been refused after a PSNI member said there was no increased threat to the interviewer.

Europe is in open revolt

A general strike in Greece, massive protests by the indignados in Spain, public transport strikes in Portugal (and Spain), and industrial action by aluminium, steel and public sector workers in Italy headlined this week.

The internment of Alan Lundy was a statement of intent

A north Belfast republican activist who was arrested and twice refused bail on an unsubstantiated charge of rioting early this summer, was finally released on bail this week. A commentary from Sean MacDiarmada (1916 Society Ard Eoin).

No wonder Orders laugh at Commission Rulings

Why should any of the predominantly paramilitary-linked bands that the so-called loyal orders swagger along behind pay any attention to the Parades Commission?