Irish Republican News: Archives

April 24, 2020

Colombia three get amnesty, 19 years on

Three Irish republicans once accused of training rebels in Colombia’s civil war have been granted an amnesty nearly two decades after they were arrested.

Doctor quits Medical Council over state blunders

There have been calls for a criminal investigation into the failure to protect residents of Irish nursing and care homes from the coronavirus disease after a prominent County Dublin doctor resigned from the Irish Medical Council over the government’s mishandling of the crisis.

Two-speed island response jeopardising public health efforts

A growing disparity between the coronavirus death rates in the north and south of Ireland is proof that two different approaches to the crisis are causing lives to be lost, according to academics.

Republican dies in fight against virus

A republican healthcare worker from County Tyrone has died from coronovirus following a 40-year career saving lives as a nurse.

Campaigner urges caution against ‘indescribable’ illness

Prominent Belfast lawyer and campaigner Niall Murphy has paid tribute to the medical staff who helped save his life after he became infected with the Coronavirus.

Online exhibition of Easter Rising materials

The best-known flag of the Easter Rising is not the Tricolour that flew over the GPO in 1916 but the Irish Republic one currently on display by the National Museum of Ireland at Collins Barracks, Dublin, in an exhibition that can be viewed online.

The Scottish Brigade

An extract from of the contribution by historian Stephen Coyle at The Year of Revolution: 1920, seminar held by Sinn Féin Poblachtach in Wynn’s Hotel on February 15, 2020.

Political establishment responsible for avoidable deaths

As the daily Covid-19 death count inexorably grinds its way towards 1,000 lives lost, it is becoming increasingly clear that many of these deaths were completely avoidable.

April 17, 2020

‘New IRA’ vows to continue struggle

In an Easter statement, the New IRA has said it remains committed to bringing the British government’s undemocratic rule in occupied Ireland to an end. It dismissed the idea of a border poll in the aftermath of Brexit, and warned the British establishment listens only to “physical force”.

Concern over plan to deploy British Army ‘help’

There are fears the Coronavirus could be used as a cover for the renewed deployment of British soldiers on the ground in the north of Ireland.

Scandal of rising virus death toll

It has emerged that two in three of coronavirus deaths in Ireland have taken place in residential homes at a rate significantly higher than anywhere else in the world.

‘Grand coalition’ plan slithers on

A historic but deeply unpopular coalition government between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael appears to be on the cards after the Green Party failed to reject a bizzare manifesto issued in a desperate plea for support to prop up the improbable alliance.

Haggarty prison sentence extended, but no return to jail

A unionist paramilitary double agent who admitted the murders of five people and a catalog of other atrocities has had his prison sentence nominally increased by three-and-a-half years.

Republican prisoners spat at by warders

Republican Prisoners at Maghaberry prison have said that prison warders have been caught deliberately spitting on doors during night checks. Saoradh has demanded an end to what it said was a “barbaric activity” which has threatened a coronavirus outbreak.

The Flying Column

A further extract from the Irish War of Independence and the IRA, 1916-1921, by Colm McInerney

Easter statements and speeches

A round-up of statements and speeches issued for the Easter commmemorations 2020.

April 14, 2020

Mary Lou McDonald recovering after virus diagnosis

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has tested positive for coronavirus, she has confirmed in a statement today.

April 10, 2020

Jackboots follow public health failure

Police in the 26 Counties have been given unprecedented powers as state efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus are being displaced by an authoritarian crackdown set to last well into the summer.

Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael told to learn lessons of the GFA

Former Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams has marked the anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement with a rebuke of continuing efforts by right-wing politicians in Dublin to exclude his party from office.

‘Casual collusion’ in military logs of Springhill massacre unit

A British Army unit responsible for the murders of five unarmed Catholic civilians, including a 13-year-old schoolgirl, handed a loyalist gunman over to the UDA, according to a report published last weekend in the Sunday World.

PSNI to investigate republican funeral over social distancing

The Catholic church has backed calls for the PSNI to stop policing funerals after a colour party at a republican funeral was targeted for the novel crime of marching too close together.

Death of Judge Peter Cory

The former Canadian Supreme court judge who led an investigation into allegations of British state collusion with unionist paramilitary death squads has died. He passed away in Canada on Tuesday aged 94.

Grey skies lift as North’s weather warnings included in map

After years of criticism for excluding the Six Counties, the Irish weather forecasting service is to include all of Ireland on its weather warning maps.

‘We will return to honour our patriot dead’

An Easter statement issued in the name of the leadership of the Republican Movement (Republican Sinn Féin)

Provide support to all who need it

Pearse Doherty, Sinn Féin Finance Spokesperson, looks at government policy in the South as the financial implications of the Coronavirus become clear.

April 9, 2020

Remembering 1916 this Easter

Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and the restrictions across Ireland, many republican and community organisations have abandoned plans for commemorations to mark the 1916 Easter Rising.

April 6, 2020

British PM in intensive care as condition worsens

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is currently being treated in an intensive care unit with the coronavirus after being rushed to a London hospital last night.

April 3, 2020

Demand for island strategy as virus deaths mount

The North’s political leaders must depart from the British government’s coronavirus strategy and urgently harmonise with the South, a leading medical professor has said.

Care homes in crisis

The Dublin government is being urged to come clean about the situation in the South’s nursing homes after it was revealed that four deaths have taken place in just one out of the dozens of care homes contaminated by the coronavirus.

Belfast man imprisoned ‘for political activity’

A member of Saoradh, a former prisoner, has been summarily returned to jail, apparently for the offense of meeting other Saoradh members.

PSNI condemned over new failure to hand over collusion files

The PSNI police has been told “defending the indefensible is no longer acceptable” after a report was published into its failure to disclose important information in relation to a case of alleged collusion between its predecessor, the RUC, and unionist paramilitaries.