Irish Republican News: Archives

August 31, 2023

Family blame PSNI for killers’ impunity despite report

A report by the Police Ombudsman has confirmed for the family of Gerard Lawlor that the PSNI’s failure to investigate the murder of the Catholic teenager in Belfast in 2002 amounted to collusion with the loyalist paramilitaries who carried it out.

Sinn Féin reiterates support for PSNI

A judge’s rejection of an attempt by the PSNI to scapegoat two junior members for a notorious case of sectarian policing two years ago has heaped further pressure for the disbandment of the discredited force.

Saoradh member hospitalised by PSNI assault

Saoradh has slammed an assault by PSNI members on a party activist in Newry on Friday evening, August 25th, which resulted in the victim requiring hospital treatment for his injuries.

Stalemate ‘pushing unionists towards unity’

The intransigence and pettiness of the DUP is spurring increased interest in a united Ireland among unionists, according to one unionist leader.

Protest at British Army base

A British Army Reserve centre in the north of Ireland was the scene of a demonstration by Derry Lasair Dhearg activists last week “to highlight the ongoing presence of occupation forces” here.

Bloody Sunday families welcome court ruling

Military statements can be used in the prosecution of a British soldier known as ‘Soldier F’ who is accused of two of the killings during the Bloody Sunday massacre, according to a court ruling that has been welcomed in Derry.

‘A new dawn is breaking’

Thousands gathered on Grand Parade in Cork to commemorate Irish republican hunger strikers at Sinn Féin’s 42nd annual Hunger Strike Commemoration, which was addressed by the North’s First Minister-designate, Michelle O’Neill.

Milltown’s story

Irish Times journalist Freya McClements recently visited Milltown cemetery in west Belfast, which opened 154 years ago. She met with Gerry Doherty, the cemetery’s manager, and historian Tom Hartley.

August 24, 2023

Internment for republican charged after PSNI blunder

A North Derry republican is facing an indefinite detention at Maghaberry prison as part of a Crown Force backlash over an embarrassing leak of its own data.

International push ‘can deliver Irish unity’

Dublin and London are under pressure to act after Australia’s governing political party passed a motion at its national conference strongly supporting the reunification of Ireland and the calling of a referendum on Irish unity.

Loyalist racism reaches new depths

The erection of Nazi-style flags near a Belfast mosque is the latest incident of territorial hate crimes in the North to be blamed on loyalists.

Archives reveal details of 1973 cover-up

New evidence has revealed that the British Army was fully aware that a Catholic civilian murdered by the RUC was fired at three times, despite claims that only a single round was accidentally discharged.

Injustice of sentence still weighs on victim’s families

A memorial service is being held this weekend to remember three people murdered in a UVF gun and bomb attack on a north Belfast garage 50 years ago.

British still struggling as Bobby Sands lives on

The continuing failure of the British establishment to grasp the legacy of Bobby Sands became clearer this week as the hunger striker, a source of unending pride in Ireland, once again became a source of controversy there.

How the London IRA changed history

A new account of the assassination of Field Marshal Sir Henry Wilson MP illuminates the contribution of the Irish in Britain to the struggle for Irish freedom, by Ronan McGreevy.

A Legacy Bill of Injustice

A look from the US at Britain’s ‘Bill of Shame’, by Hon. Michael C. Mentel (for the Irish Echo).

August 17, 2023

Backlash could follow PSNI ‘own goal’

A hysterical response by the PSNI to the leak of its own personnel data has increased pressure for the disbandment of the staunchly unionist police force.

Tensions higher in Derry after parade incidents

A Derry businessman was “kicked in the head” by a sashed member of the Apprentice Boys on Saturday afternoon following a major parade by the loyalist marching organisation.

BBC under fire over ‘toxic’ unionist broadcaster

Infamous BBC TV and radio presenter Stephen Nolan has been accused of sending ‘sexually explicit’ images to work colleagues in a grotesque bid to capitalise on controversy over a TV reality star.

Powerful US opposition to Legacy Bill

Sixteen members of the United States House of Representatives, from both parties, have written to British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, British Direct Ruler Chris Heaton-Harris, and the British Ambassador to the United States, Karen Pierce, to raise their “profound concern” over the pending British government Legacy Bill for the north of Ireland.

Attempts to further erode prison conditions

Concerns have been raised after a support group for Irish republican prisoners at Maghaberry Prison revealed that newspapers can no longer be bought and that authorities plan to scrap weekend visits.

Police Ombudsman withheld fingerprint evidence

The Police Ombudsman’s office has been condemned after it emerged it failed to tell relatives of the McGurk’s Bar bombing that fingerprints were found on a car used by the loyalist killers.

Petition to name Galway bridge after local rebel

A petition has been launched to name Galway’s latest bridge after one of the county’s forgotten republican heroes.

If we deny Saoradh equality, where do we stop?

Banks do not keep information about their customers’ political beliefs. Did the PSNI ask, advise or instruct the banks to act against republicans?

August 10, 2023

Violence erupts after ‘disastrous’ PSNI action

Two nights of disturbances in the Galliagh area of Derry have been squarely blamed on an oppressive swoop by the PSNI and council authorities on material which had been collected by local youths for a traditional nationalist bonfire.

Inquest ordered into UDR killings

Fresh inquests have been ordered into the murders of five Catholic men involving the British Army’s Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) in County Tyrone between the years 1988 and 1991.

Alternatives to Stormont must be discussed - Varadkar

The 26 County Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, has met leaders of the five main political parties in Belfast in the latest efforts to end 18 months of collapsed government in the north of Ireland.

Harris under pressure over crime failures

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris, the head of police in the 26 Counties, is facing a vote of no confidence from Gardaí themselves amid rising strains within the force and public disquiet over rampant violent crime in Dublin city centre.

‘Bad faith’ prosecution of pensioner

A 70-year-old County Tyrone man is facing trial on historic IRA charges, despite concerns that the prosecution amounts to an abuse of process, as prosecutions of British soldiers remain suspended or effectively abandoned ahead of pending legislation for conflict-related amnesty.