Irish Republican News: Archives

February 28, 2020

A State in limbo as political elite panic

Efforts by the establishment in Dublin to demonise Sinn Féin have reached unprecedented levels in the aftermath of their performance in the 26 County general election, with politicians going so far as to compare a series of Sinn Féin public meetings to the Nuremburg rallies of Nazi Germany.

Coronavirus fears as Irish officials adopt low-key approach

The shambolic attitude of the Dublin government to the Coronavirus epidemic has been exposed after the first case of the disease presented itself in Ireland.

Harassment victim wins appeal over PSNI stop-and-search

A Derry republican is set to sue the PSNI for compensation after the Court of Appeal agreed that his human rights had been breached by four years of harassment directed against him.

Lengthy sentence for 1997 IRA attack as legacy issues stalled

A County Tyrone man has been jailed over a Provisional IRA action more than two decades ago. Paul Campbell from Coalisland was sentenced on Tuesday to seven and a half years in connection with an attack in the town in 1997.

Criticism of archbishop’s endorsement of the PSNI

The daughter of a man killed by the Glenanne Gang has criticised the leader of the Catholic church in Ireland after he encouraged young people to consider a career in the PSNI police.

Maghaberry prisoner targeted by murder plot

A powerful loyalist ordered a hit on a republican prisoner currently serving a sentence in Maghaberry Prison, it has been revealed.

The Clare grain riots

A historical account of an incident in which the RIC opened fire on a crowd of hungry Ennis people as local food produce was being exported by landlords.

We’re in a sad state

A police chief interfering in a country’s electoral process is something we have come to expect – but usually in Third World dictatorships.

February 21, 2020

Smears fly as reaction carnival continues

Efforts by the right in Ireland to counter and undermine Sinn Féin’s advance in the recent 26 County general election have reached extraordinary levels of desperation following an intervention by the Garda police Commissioner, Drew Harris.

Opponents riled after McDonald makes history in vote for Taoiseach

Sinn Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald received the most votes in the Dublin parliament to become Taoiseach on Thursday, the first time a TD not supported by either of the two main parties has done so in the history of the 26 County state.

‘Dirty tricks’ creating confusion and fear

Attempts are being made to engineer further division among republicans after bogus claims emerged that the New IRA is planning to attack members of Sinn Féin.

Gardaí consider plan to honour RUC

The police in the 26 Counties considered including the murderous Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) in the force’s museum as part of a commemoration for the centenary of Ireland’s War of Independence.

Britain looking for Irish exit, claims report

A magazine described as one of the English language’s most influential publications has dedicated its latest issue to the debate around Irish unity.

Anti-Catholic sectarianism ‘alive and well’

A new report has found Catholics in the north of Ireland are still experiencing sectarianism.

The window of my mind

An essay originally written by Bobby Sands in the H-Blocks of Long Kesh in 1979.

Sinn Féin’s day is coming

An analysis of the outcome of the general election and the current political dynamic in the 26 Counties by Ruairi Creaney.

Garda Commissioner intervenes in government formation

Garda police Commissioner Drew Harris has accused Sinn Fein of being directed by an IRA ‘Army Council’ which he claims continues to exist, despite the organisation having disbanded its structures 15 years ago.

February 14, 2020

Establishment circles the wagon

A sense of crisis has gripped the Irish ruling classes after Sinn Féin nearly tripled its vote in last weekend’s election to Leinster House and took the first steps in the formation of a new government in Dublin.

A historic advance for republicanism

Republicans have been celebrating a history-making election which saw forty TDs from the tradition sign into Leinster House this week, erasing the concept of the two-party state in the process.

Loyalist bomb alerts follow attacks on homes

Loyalists have been blamed for bomb hoaxes at a primary school and at a Sinn Féin constituency office in north Belfast.

PSNI men to face perjury charges

Three members of the PSNI accused of lying to a court in a harassment case have been suspended and are expected to face charges.

Protest at arrest of ‘scapegoat’ in Derry

Saoradh has hit out at the detention of an activist they describe as a political hostage following a number of military-style PSNI raids in Derry.

Newspaper denounced for carrying PSNI advertising

A banner erected on the external fence of the offices of a local newspaper in West Belfast is the latest indication of a deepening rift in republican areas over the status of the PSNI police.

A fantastic moment

A speech made at a Sinn Féin event in Waterford on Sunday night, when poll-topping candidate David Cullinane TD expressed the delight of many in his party at overcoming a history of demonisation, vilification, and state repression, is published in full below, along with an introduction by his election agent.

Unionist jitters after Sinn Féin success

Regardless of when or whether Sinn Féin ends up in government, as Tony Blair’s former adviser Jonathan Powell says, the outcome of the election will make demands for movement on Irish unity stronger.

February 13, 2020

Smith axed as Johnson appoints more hardline Direct Ruler

British Direct Ruler Julian Smith has been sacked by Boris Johnson, just over six months since he took up the post. He has been replaced with Brandon Lewis, a former chair of the Conservative Party and most recently, a Security Minister in Johnson’s cabinet.

February 10, 2020

‘The people want us in government’ - McDonald

With the make-up of the Dáilcomplete, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has said she could well be the next Taoiseach after winning the popular vote and after electing as many TDs as any other party.

Media, politicians baffled by electoral revolution

While seats continue to fill in the 26 County general election, the swing to Sinn Fein has already spawned a struggle to understand the changed political circumstances in Ireland.

February 9, 2020

SF in clear lead as counting suspended overnight

Sinn Féin has heaped on more election success tonight, electing two TDs on the first count in both Donegal and Louth, and also looking highly likely to win two seats in Cavan-Monaghan, and continuing to top polls across the state.

First count victories pile in for Sinn Féin

There have been scenes of jubilation in count centres across Ireland as a number of poll-topping Sinn Fein candiates have been decalred elected on the first count.

SINN FÉIN TOP THE POLLS IN HISTORIC RESULT

In a complete upending of the political establishment in the 26 Counties, Sinn Féin is being confirmed as the most popular party following the completion of tallies in yesterday’s general election.

Sinn Féin could win up to 40 seats in electoral revolution

First results from tallies in the 26 County election point to a historic day for Sinn Féin and Irish politics generally. Sinn Féin look set to top every poll in Dublin and could see the vast majority of their candidates win election across the state.

February 8, 2020

Exit poll confirms Sinn Féin election breakthrough

The three main parties in the 26 Counties have polled the same vote share of just over 22 per cent in today’s general election, according to an exit poll released as polling closed this evening.

Turnout high despite weather, weekend events

A brisk turnout has been reported in many areas in the election to the Dublin parliament since voting began at 7am this morning.

February 7, 2020

Sinn Féin at the threshold of Cabinet power

With Sinn Fein topping opinion polls in the 26 Counties for the first time, an ambush of party leader Mary Lou McDonald by state broadcaster RTE over a comment by a party colleague 13 years ago has jeopardised what is still widely expected to be a good election for the party.

Communities polarised as SF take part in PSNI event

The attendance of Sinn Féin politicians at a PSNI police recruitment drive in the Six Counties has angered republican groups.

Bloody Sunday campaign an inspiration for victim

Miami Showband survivor Stephen Travers has told the annual Bloody Sunday march that the victims and their families have always inspired him to keep up his fight for justice.

Shock at death of Francie Brolly

Republican legend Francie Brolly has been honoured as a man of integrity following his sudden death. The 82-year-old died at his family home near Dungiven, County Derry in the early hours of Thursday. It is believed he may have suffered a heart attack.

Conor Murphy apologises to Quinn family

Sinn Féin Stormont minister Conor Murphy has apologised to the family of murder victim Paul Quinn for comments he made 13 years ago after the young man’s death.

Scepticism over ‘ferry bomb’ reports

A statement reportedly made in the name of the Continuity IRA claimed responsibility for a device found on a lorry trailer in County Armagh last week. The statement said the device had been timed to coincide with Britain’s exit from the European Union.