An Phoblacht/Republican News   ·   Thursday October 26 1995

Republican youth demand their place

By Eoin O Broin

"It's time that Sinn Féin took the needs and interests of young people seriously. We are the most pogressive, radical political force in this country and have a lot to offer Irish youth. By the same token, through embracing the vitality and imagination of our younger activists the movement as a whole could grow and develop and in turn become a formidable force facing the conservatisim and inertia of contemporary 'constitutional' Irish politics."

These were the words of one delegate at the West Tyrone Sinn Féin Youth conference held in Carrickmore on Saturday, 21 October. Seventy activists representing over eleven counties from both sides of the border attended the event, which hoped to be the first of many such gatherings.

A statement from republican prisoners in Long Kesh was read out to the delegates and a longer submission on youth related matters was recieved.

Speaking to the conference, Ard Chomhairle member Jim Gibney said:

'The people of this country and especially the young people have every reason to have raised expectations that this peace will last because they more than any other group have borne the brunt of the war. It doesn't matter if they were combatants in the IRA, the crown forces, the loyalist groupings or indeed if they were uninvolved. This conflict has disproportionately affected young people."

Gibney highlighted the need for Sinn Féin, in the current "new phase of struggle" to embrace the youth of Ireland. "The party needs to modernise by reestablishing its radical qualities and commitment to socialist and democratic aspirations", urged Gibney, "and the best way to achieve these aims is by nurturing the energy, vision and idealism which young people bring to politics", he said.

Reflecting on his own youth, Gibney said out that for his generation, politicisation was shadowed by, "the use of the gun", and this, "limited our ability to think politically". Stressing the need for education and development in Sinn Féin he called on his audience, "to grasp the present opportunity with both enthusiasm and energy."

Following Gibney's opening address was a brief, but lively discussion about the peace process, and the need for Sinn Féin to engage more with young people.

Some delegates expressed their confusion with the British government's position on decommissioning yet more voiced dissatisfaction with Britain's intransigence.

COMBATTING DRUG-ABUSE

It was hardly surprising that this conference would address drugs and drug abuse among the young, so it was telling that the conference would stress the link between drug abuse and "the de-politicisation of young people".

"Coherent strategies to combat drug abuse and the de-politicisation of young people", were called for.

The republican leadership despite its heavy workload was accused of overlooking the the needs of the younger generation.

Following lunch, the conference was addressed by ex-prisoner Bronwyn McGahan and Donegal activist Pádraig MacLochlainn.

McGahan, recently released from Maghaberry, spoke of her experiences as a woman republican prisoner. She criticised the petty vindictiveness of both the prison system and the warders, describing the day to day denials of basic human rights.

McGahon pointed how the differential treatment of male and female inmates within Maghaberry, poor quality visiting rooms and unequal access to the exercise yard provoked a series of protests by the women:

"They used a violent strip search policy which became a daily occurrence in an attempt to undermine our morale. In the end, however, our demands were met."

MacLochlainn, from Buncrana in County Donegal spoke of the need for Sinn Féin "to make use of young people's many resources and talent". Echoing Jim Gibney he called on delegates to "develop a youth policy which offers a coherent democratic socialist approach to the problems of today".

OPEN DISCUSSION

The latter part of the conference was taken up with a series of general workshops and an open discussion during which delegates aired their views on a wide range of matters of concern to them. Social issues such as education, homelessness and unemployment took priority although it was widely agreed that the party needed, what one Belfast activist identified as, "new mechanisms for discussing, formulating and implementing policy on such issues".

Including young people in these, "mechanisms", was seen as a priority.

There were calls for the establishment of a national youth convention, for youth representatives on the Ard Chomhairle and regular regional training events to provide young activists from around the country the opportunity to meet and share experiences.

And what was clear from the feedback from the workshops was that drugs were identified as a major area of concern although there was little consensus as to how drug abuse could be effectively tackled. The need for education and rehabilitation programs was put forward as a solution. While a Donegal delegate dismissed, "the failed approaches, whether by community groups or government agencies, which concentrated on drug dealers". This speaker stressed the need to avoid "criminalising young people".

A Dublin delegate who has worked extensively in community based drug programs highlighted, "the need for extensive debate within the party which would draw on the knowledge of those most involved in dealing with such problems whether at a community, national or international level".

The issue of women within Sinn Féin was similarly discussed. That the conference was overwhelmingly male was, itself, a telling indictment of the extent to which Sinn Féin is still failing to attract more women members despite its progressive policies and those active women already in its ranks.

Bronwyn McGahan had ensured that a showing of the video Mother Ireland opened the conference and though it was well received, little debate followed. "Much work is needed if the equal participation of women is to become a reality within the party", said a delegate.

The conference ended on a positive note with delegates demanding that the Ard Chomhairle take seriously the needs of young people and work towards building upon West Tyrone's initiative.

Speaking to AP/RN the chair of West Tyrone Sinn Féin Barry McElduff described the event as, "a tremendous success, very positive in every respect. Sinn Fein would do well to internalise what our young members and supporters are saying. This initiative needs to be developed further and I recommend strongly that other areas should seek similarly to engage with youth".

Unfortunately the day was marred by the presence of the RUC who monitored the proceedings and harassed delegates returning home. Activists travelling to Monaghan and Strabane were followed out of Carrickmore, stopped and questioned.

(Quotes)

"It's time that Sinn Féin took the needs and interests of young people seriously. We are the most pogressive, radical political force in this country and have a lot to offer Irish youth. By the same token, through embracing the vitality and imagination of our younger activists the movement as a whole could grow and develop and in turn become a formidable force facing the conservatism and inertia of contemporary 'constitutional' Irish politics." - Pádraig MacLochlainn