Irish Republican News: Archives

February 24, 2022

Russian invasion condemned

Irish political leaders have been joining international condemnation of a Russian invasion of neighbouring Ukraine.

Non-jury court exposed by wrongful convictions

A Dublin man has called for an end to the Special Criminal Court after describing his ordeal of being falsely jailed for IRA membership as “horrific”.

Too early to talk of Stormont alternative - O’Neill

Sinn Féin’s Michelle O’Neill has said the days of democracy in the north of Ireland “on the terms of unionism alone” are over as speculation persists that the DUP will block a return of power-sharing if Sinn Féin becomes the largest party in May’s election to the Stormont Assembly.

Unionist politicians bicker as election looms

Loyalist preparations for the Stormont election have been hampered by public infighting and a lack of interest in their protests against Brexit-related port checks.

GAA caught up in ‘good and bad’ memorials row

Unionists stand accused of hypocrisy after they criticised a memorial at a Gaelic sports club to former members of the club who died as IRA Volunteers in the line of duty.

Miscarriage of justice journalist targeted by police

English journalist Chris Mullin, who exposed the Birmingham Six miscarriage of justice, has accused police there of going “for the guy who blew the whistle” after they sought a court order requiring him to reveal his sources.

A party split by a deal with the British

A history of a landmark Sinn Féin Ard Fheis 100 years ago this week which still has echoes today, by Des Dalton.

Fear of the Shinners gives establishment the jitters

The third week in February was national Bash The Shinners Week, according to Pat Flanagan.

February 17, 2022

US call for end to amnesty plan

With evidence piling up of systematic collusion by the British Crown Forces in the murders of more than a thousand innocent Irish civilians, US political leaders have vowed to help stop London passing a blanket amnesty.

Unionists see new hope for a hard border

Tory extremists and unionists are exploiting the weakness of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson as “a renewed opportunity” to push for a hard Brexit and a remilitarisation of the border through Ireland, according to reports.

Sinn Féin’s royal outreach divides nationalists

A statement by Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald congratulating Queen Elizabeth on a “lifetime of service” has renewed a controversy over the party’s relationship with the English royal family.

‘Vindictive’ convictions overturned

Two former republican prisoners have had false convictions against them quashed by the Spanish Supreme Court.

Family calls for British army apology over killing

The family of a Catholic man killed by the British Army in north Belfast almost 50 years ago has renewed its call for an apology.

Petition calls on PSNI to release files on Noah Donohoe

Fiona Donohoe, whose young son was found dead in a loyalist area of north Belfast two years ago, has launched a petition to the PSNI Chief Simon Byrne to release four secret files on the case.

The Weaver Street bombing and not dealing with the past

One of the most shocking incidents following the signing of the Treaty took place 100 years ago this week, when Catholic children playing in a Belfast street were bombed.

The DUP is trapped in a delusion

Since Stormont was set up in 1999, it has been shut for 37pc of the time. It should be a time-share.

February 10, 2022

Systematic collusion now undeniable

The publication of a detailed report on the extensive collusion between RUC police and loyalist death squads in south Belfast in the 1990s could mark a turning point in the campaign for truth and justice in the north of Ireland.

Anger grows at impunity and cover-up

Pressure is mounting to stop British plans for an amnesty and to ensure full accountability for its forces’ actions.

DUP met with murder gangs before collapsing Stormont

DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson met with a loyalist paramilitary umbrella group just days before he moved to end power-sharing at Stormont, raising fears that crime gangs continue to wield significant influence with his party.

PSNI handcuff 13-year-old in latest harassment outrage

The father of a 13-year-old schoolboy handcuffed during a stop-and-search by the PSNI says his son has been left shaken and distressed.

Welcome as Glasnevin’s ‘wall of shame’ is taken down

An infamous memorial in Dublin which commemorated members of the British forces who died trying to defeat Irish independence is to be taken down.

Tension at Maghaberry as jailers maintain Covid lockdown

With Covid restrictions being removed and a sense of normality returning, republican prisoners at Maghaberry jail have called for prison visits to be reinstated to the same format as they were.

When IRA rockets landed on Downing Street

A look back at a famous incident from the conflict, 31 years ago this week.

Drew Harris and Special Branch collusion

I’m waiting for a journalist – maybe RTÉ – to approach Garda Commissioner Drew Harris and ask him what he knows of these murderous activities involving Special Branch.

February 3, 2022

DUP First Minister Paul Givan resigns

The DUP’s Paul Givan has resigned as First Minister of the north of Ireland with effect from midnight tonight, putting a question mark over a scheduled election in which his party was expected to poll badly.

‘We will see them in the dock’

Several thousand people marched behind the slogan, ‘There is no British Justice’ as the campaign for those killed and injured by the British Parachute Regiment in Derry on Bloody Sunday marked its 50th year.

Fresh impetus to Bloody Sunday justice push

There was a new display of unity in Derry on Sunday as different campaigns aligned to call for justice for the families of the peaceful protesters killed by British soldiers on Bloody Sunday.

Craigavon 2 convictions to be reviewed

A serious miscarriage of justice could be returned to the Court of Appeal as a result of the actions of undercover MI5 agent, Dennis McFadden.

‘Desperate’ DUP act to halt protocol checks

A move by DUP Minister Edwin Poots to order an end to Brexit-related checks at ports in the north of Ireland has been strongly condemned by nationalists but supported by the Tory government in London.

PSNI target nationalist families

A chaotic late night PSNI assault on a group of nationalists in Stewartstown, County Tyrone has been described as “crazed”.

Death of British killer leaves questions unanswered

An infamous member of the British Army’s Military Reaction Force, Clive Graham Williams, has died, it has been reported.

Ireland - A Case for Reunification

“You can read English history and still know nothing about Irish history but you can’t read Irish history and not learn something about English history.” An extract from a new self-published book, by Eddie Mulligan.

Shankill visit illustrates partisan British behaviour

British Direct Ruler Brandon Lewis, British foreign secretary Liz Truss and Orange Order grand secretary Mervyn Gibson met on the loyalist Shankill Road in Belfast last Thursday. Commentator Brian Feeney on what he describes as a deliberately provocative gesture.