Irish Republican News: Archives

January 30, 2018

Scappaticci arrested

The man alleged to have been the British Army’s most high-ranking agent in the Provisional IRA has been arrested and is being questioned about allegations that he murdered dozens of people while working undercover in the IRA’s feared internal security unit.

January 27, 2018

ONH ceasefire welcomed

Oglaigh na hEireann (ONH) have confirmed no immediate plans to decommission their weapons following the breakaway IRA group’s announcement that it is to “suspend all armed actions against the British State”.

Judge steps down in key collusion case

In a dramatic day at Belfast’s High Court, a judge who sought to quash a report which found British state collusion in the Loughinisland massacre is to step aside from the case.

Provocative flags hoisted ahead of Bloody Sunday weekend

The sister of a man shot dead on Bloody Sunday has said the erection of flags for the British Army’s Parachute Regiment outside Derry is “blind sectarianism”.

Sinn Fein aims for ‘short sharp talks’

The new British Direct Ruler Karen Bradley has characterised the latest round of the talks process in Belfast as a final chance to salvage the devolved power-sharing institutions at Stormont.

Westminster edges closer towards unilateral amnesty

A British MP has warned that new recruits could be deterred from joining the British Army because of the possibility of prosecution for war crimes.

US deportations taking a toll

Concerns have been expressed at the accelerating rate at which undocumented Irish people living in the United States are being deported back to Ireland.

The Dripsey ambush

An account of one of the most important incidents in the War of Independence in central county Cork, 97 years ago this week.

A profile of Mary Lou McDonald

Mary Lou McDonald will be confirmed as the next leader of Sinn Fein within two weeks. A look at the woman who has set herself the challenge of leading the party into government in the 26 Counties.

January 23, 2018

Statement from Oglaigh na hEireann (ONH)

The full text of today’s ceasefire statement by the breakaway IRA armed group, Oglaigh na hEireann. It was released at a press conference involving Fianna Fáil TD Eamon O Cuiv and senior trade union figures who have been in talks around the group’s future.

Oglaigh na hEireann announce ceasefire

The breakaway IRA group Oglaigh na hEireann has announced a suspension of its armed actions, saying the “environment is not right for armed conflict” at this time, according to news reports this morning.

January 20, 2018

McDonald confirmed as next leader of Sinn Fein

Mary Lou McDonald will succeed Gerry Adams as Sinn Fein leader, the party has confirmed, and will formally ascend to the leadership at a special Ard Fheis [conference] next month.

Tory/DUP bid to rig Six County elections

Sinn Fein has condemned new proposals to redraw the north’s electoral constituencies as a Tory/DUP gerrymander. A new revised plan is being prepared by the Boundary Commission which is a dramatic shift from previous plans.

Talks process set to resume in Belfast

A new phase of talks to restore the powersharing Stormont Assembly is to begin next Wednesday amid a difficult political climate.

Maghera family appeal for support on 20th anniversary

Two decades after the murder of Fergal ‘Ricky’ McCusker by the LVF, his family have said they and other victims across the area “deserve answers, truth and accountability”.

Bloody Sunday organisers shift focus from nationalist struggle

A row has broken out over this year’s Bloody Sunday march in Derry, with some republican organisations preparing to boycott the event due to the appearance of a British soldier and other contentious names on advertising material.

Adams bid to overturn convictions hears of bearded double

A court bid by Gerry Adams to overturn two 1975 convictions for attempting to escape from prison has heard that his initial detention was illegal.

Bloody Sunday Programme 2018

The official introduction and programme for the week of events in Derry culminating in the annual march to commemorate the Bloody Sunday massacre.

United Ireland ‘not inevitable’ - Adams

Gerry Adams gave what is thought to be his last speech as president of Sinn Fein to the party’s Cuige Uladh [Ulster department] in Belfast on Saturday morning before his succession by Mary Lou McDonald. The full text of Mr Adams’s speech.

January 15, 2018

Sinn Fein’s Barry McElduff stands down as MP

Sinn Fein’s Barry McElduff has resigned as West Tyrone MP following an outcry over an intended humourous video in which he used a loaf of bread as a prop.

January 13, 2018

‘Thanks for eternity’

Tributes have been paid to Rosaleen Sands, the mother of hunger striker and MP Bobby Sands, who passed away on Friday.

Humour turned to hate

A short internet video intended as humourous by Sinn Fein MP for West Tyrone Barry McElduff caused a wave of sectarian recrimination this week when a loaf of bread he perched on his head inside a petrol station carried the word ‘Kingsmill’.

Councillor caught up in wave of false arrests

Prominent Derry councillor Gary Donnelly has again been arrested and released by Gardai in County Donegal in connection with the execution of British agent and Sinn Fein informer, Denis Donaldson.

Inauspicious start for new British governor

Britain’s new Direct Ruler in Ireland Karen Bradley has visited the North where she was welcomed as a “good unionist” by DUP MP Ian Paisley.

Dublin refuses to release report on McAnespie killing

Ahead of the 30th anniversary of the killing, the Dublin government has refused to release a report into the British army killing of Aidan McAnespie as he made his way to a Gaelic sports pitch.

Britain First leader stirs it up

The deputy leader of a far-right unionist group in Britain is to go on trial on charges of hate speech in Belfast, it was confirmed in court on Tuesday.

The Craigavon 2 deserve justice

The Craigavon 2, Brendan McConville and John-Paul Wootton, are innocent Irishmen who have been wrongfully imprisoned for the past 8 years. Sign the petition now!

Inquiries, ‘collusion’ and seeking truth

If the NI Retired Police Officers’ Association wins on Loughinisland, it will have succeeded in closing down an important official source of information about alleged collusion and its scale, small or large. John Ware looks at a crucial upcoming ruling.