Trinity welcomes Sinn Fein
Sinn Féin is in the process of forming a cumann in Trinity College
following the recent overturn of a long-standing ban on the party in
Ireland's oldest university.
In one of their first events Mitchel McLaughlin addressed a meeting
of a hundred students in the College last Thursday on the genesis of
the peace process and some of the problems currently delaying the
implementation of the Agreement. While giving a frank insight into
the difficulties McLaughlin expressed a strong confidence that the
objectives of the peace strategy would be achieved.
In response to a question regarding the dangers of Sinn Fein's
radicalism becoming diluted in a pan-nationalist alliance, McLaughlin
pointed out that the consensus on the peace process did not mean that
republicans agreed on every aspect of every policy with other
nationalists. It was, rather, a practical and effective way to
achieve certain common objectives.
Other questions touched on the prospects of Sinn Fein growth in the
twenty six counties and again McLaughlin focused on how Sinn Fein
ought best to use its likely enhanced strength. There was no question
of the party ``selling out'' in the manner of other parties of the
``left'' who had gone into coalition, but at every stage the party must
act in accordance both with its strength and how best the interests
of its supporters might be served at the time.
Interestingly, and in sharp contrast to what is being promoted by
certain elements in this state, there was little sign that Trinity
students see decommissioning as a sine qua non for progress on
implementing the Agreement.
Gerry McGeough chaired the meeting and afterwards a number of those
present applied to join Sinn Fein.
The Garda Special Branch monitored what was an open meeting of
university students. A Sinn Fein spokesperson said the fact that they
were there at all might be of some interest to the college
authorities who might ponder its implications for freedom of debate
within the precincts of the university.
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