“and Sinn Féin should not assume they are..”
An iol report notes that the Republican Network for Unity has denied that the [dissenting republican] organisations it represents were responsible for the recent attacks on Sinn Féin offices in Londonderry and in Belfast. From the iol report
The Republican Network for Unity says the attacks were “acts of vandalism” carried out either by “anti-social elements” or individuals opposed to Sinn Féin policy. Either way, it says, organised republican dissident groups are not to blame and Sinn Féin should not assume they are.
Adds Below the fold, the text of the statement as offered by RNU1.
“Over recent days there have been a number of acts of vandalism carried out upon the homes of two provisional Sinn Fein members and upon their party’s premises in Derry and Belfast. The reasoning behind such attacks can only be guessed at. As are the identities of those responsible. Whether carried out by anti-social elements that plague working class communities throughout Ireland or as an act directed specifically towards that party by individuals opposed to the course the provisionals have taken through the failed Good Friday Agreement is of no consequence – Either way, these actions were and are wrong, misguided and serve no useful purpose. None that any Republican worthy of the name could see or support. We call upon those involved in these acts to immediately desist.
In addition we have been intrigued by the immediacy with which the provisionals jump to the assumption that these acts were the work of “Dissents”. Where is the proof? Who are these “Dissents”? What are their names? Which group, if any, are they associated with? How can the destruction of a [plaque] in memory of fallen Republican Volunteers serve the purposes of those disagreeing with the provisionals move to constitutional nationalism? These are some of the basic questions those in the media should have been putting to the party’s spokespersons before running to print such baseless accusations as fact.”
Pete,
The Republican Network for Unity is a stand alone group representing only itself.
It is part of the Irish Republican Forum for Unity that also includes the IRSP, 32CSM and non-alligned republicans.
Republican Network for Unity
I don’t suppose they fancied the Republican Unity Network or the Forum for Republican Unity acronyms.
Ta Mark.
I’ve edited the text accordingly.
Here is the text of the full statement;
“Over recent days there have been a number of acts of vandalism carried out upon the homes of two provisional Sinn Fein members and upon their party’s premises in Derry and Belfast. The reasoning behind such attacks can only be guessed at. As are the identities of those responsible. Whether carried out by anti-social elements that plague working class communities throughout Ireland or as an act directed specifically towards that party by individuals opposed to the course the provisionals have taken through the failed Good Friday Agreement is of no consequence – Either way, these actions were and are wrong, misguided and serve no useful purpose. None that any Republican worthy of the name could see or support. We call upon those involved in these acts to immediately desist.
In addition we have been intrigued by the immediacy with which the provisionals jump to the assumption that these acts were the work of “Dissents”. Where is the proof? Who are these “Dissents”? What are their names? Which group, if any, are they associated with? How can the destruction of a plague in memory of fallen Republican Volunteers serve the purposes of those disagreeing with the provisionals move to constitutional nationalism? These are some of the basic questions those in the media should have been putting to the party’s spokespersons before running to print such baseless accusations as fact.”
“a plague in memory of fallen Republican Volunteers”.
Sorry… but that deserves at least a wry smile.
Blogging dissident statements verbatim now I see. That’s principled unionism for you!
Still eager to label, picador..
The statement asks valid questions.
But perhaps you think they shouldn’t be given the oxygen of publicity..
As an Irish Republican activist, I’m glad to see the RNU issuing this statement as it needed to be said in light of organised smears against the growing number of Republicans opposed to S/F strategy.
“Blogging dissident statements verbatim now I see. That’s principled unionism for you!”
I thought the same myself.
I thought Gerry Kelly’s Easter oration in Lurgan may have got a mention,but then again that involves giving main stream republicans the ‘oxygen of publicity’ does’nt it Pete?
redhugh78
Ssh or he will go crying to Mick.
Apparently he’s not a unionist but a dissident republican!
No more oxygen of publicity from me in any case.
These are some of the basic questions those in the media ..
Ruth Dudley Edwards has some questions for those who would advise the beleaguered Adams and McGuinness.
So what would you do? Put yourself in the position of Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness, as this weekend they talk about what the hell to do about the dissidents. …
If you train young men to admire killers of policemen and soldiers, it is hardly surprising they decide they want to emulate their heroes. The truth is the Provos are in a bad place, it’s their own fault and they don’t know how to get out of it.
The ‘micro groups’ of 1916 needed an over-reaction from officialdom. Can or will those of today play the same or a similar card? Does officialdom have a strategy?