Friday, January 12, 2007
Standing Against Sinn Fein
Paul McGlinchey, who will be standing against Martin McGuinness in Mid-Ulster, has given an interview to the Ulster Herald. His nephew, Dominic Og McGlinchey, has not ruled out standing as a candidate in West Tyrone. Gerry McGeough is standing against Sinn Fein in Fermanagh/South Tyrone. And the IRSP is set to endorse a candidate from Strabane at their Ard Comhairle this weekend. Willie Gallagher spoke to the Strabane Chronicle about the upcoming election and Concerned Republicans. Both interviews follow the jump.
Ex-members set to challenge Sinn Féin
BY RONAN McSHERRYTENSIONS within Sinn Féin over the policing issue are threatening to bring major electoral challenges across Tyrone constituencies. Members of the staunchly Republican family, the McGlincheys of South Derry, are set to challenge their previous comrades in West Tyrone and Mid-Ulster. Gerry McGeogh, a former IRA activist from Killeeshil, is also set to stand against Sinn Féin for Fermanagh-South Tyrone inthe Assembly election on March 7.
Speaking to the Ulsterherald, life-long republican activist Paul McGlinchey confirmed he will stand as an Independent candidate in Mid- Ulster if Sinn Féin endorse policing and take their seats on the policing board. McGlinchey is a former blanket man and brother of the murdered INLA leader Dominic McGlinchey. His entry into the election race would put him in direct opposition to Sinn Féin’s chief negotiator Martin McGuinness.
McGlinchey said, “I will be running in Mid-Ulster providing the assembly elections go ahead. I was a member of Sinn Féin until last month and resigned because of their current policing strategy. Once SF endorses policing and the judiciary, whatever way they package it and sell it, they are copper-fastening the six county state within the United Kingdom. I am not anti-policing per se, and we need law and order, but I would want an all-Ireland police force.”
The decision to put up candidates was taken at a meeting of “Concerned Republicans” held in Toomebridge at the weekend.
“I have yet to speak to any Republican, including ex-prisoners, that is endorsing this pro-PSNI agenda,” said Mr McGlinchey. “None of them are for it. I also know a lot of people in the party who are hanging on to see what happens at the Ard Fhéis and that will probably tell a tale.”
Mr McGlinchey served 15 years in prison for paramilitary activity.
“I personally have invested too much of my life in all of this just to turn my back on it and stay at home,” said Mr McGlinchey. “I kept putting my argument within the party but was getting nowhere with them. I realised the direction they were going and could not be a part of it. It runs against every vein in my body.”
Paul’s nephew, Dominic Óg McGlinchey has not ruled out the rumour that he is considering going forward on an anti-policing ticket in West Tyrone. Also speaking to the Ulsterherald, he said, “Numerous people have approached me to run. I am totally against the Sinn Féin stance on policing.
“Some people talk of being ‘sold out’ but I see it as being ‘sold short.’ There is a big difference between the two.”
The son of the former INLA chief-of -staff, Dominic McGlinchey emphasised that if he were to throw his cap in the ring come election time, “it would not be just to stop Sinn Féin getting a seat.”
He added, “I have left-wing values and would bring those with me too. I left Sinn Féin a number of years ago because of the direction they have taken and their acceptance of Stormont rule and the British iron hand still in force.”
Gerry McGeogh who previously served jail sentences in Germany and the US for IRA activity has also voiced his intention of standing in Fermanagh-South Tyrone. A former Sinn Féin ard comhairle member, he accused the party leadership of “having shown no backbone”.
“Sinn Féin are making embarrassing fools of themselves. This grovelling nonsense must stop.”
Strabane man to stand on anti-policing ticket
BY MICHELE CANNING SMITHWITH West Tyrone already a hotbed of controversy on the ‘will they, won’t they’ March Assembly elections, it has emerged that an independent Republican candidate may well throw his hat into the lion’s den in this constituency. That’s the word on the ground from the Irish Republican Socialist Party, who revealed to the Strabane Chronicle yesterday that a Strabane man has put his name forward for contention.
Endorsement for the Independent Republican candidacy will go to an IRSP Ard Comhairle meeting at the weekend.
Moves have been afoot by the Concerned Republican group - a coalition of what many regard as disaffected Republicans - to infiltrate Nationalist strongholds in a bid to challenge Sinn Féin on its policing agenda.
Already, members of the staunchly Republican McGlincheys of South Derry, are set to challenge former comrades in Tyrone and Mid-Ulster. Paul McGlinchey, a member of SF until last month, says he will enter into the election race in direct opposition to party chief, Martin McGuinness.
Gerry McGeogh, a former IRA man from Kileshil, is also set to stand against Sinn Féin in Fermanagh/South Tyrone.
The Chronicle this week spoke with Willie Gallagher, a leading member of the IRSP, on his party’s position, and how a series of meetings has led to a political attack on mainstream republicanism. Those meetings, which began in August last year, came as result of a call by a local man, Eddie McGarrigle, at a commemoration in Derry calling for a healing process within the diversity of Republicans.
That initial call has culminated in a decision by a group of Republicans to stand for election. They include disaffected Sinn Féin members, the IRSP, the 32 County Sovereignty Committee and independent republicans, all opposing the Good Friday Agreement.
During a series of meetings, the hugely contentious issue of policing was the ‘political thing in town’ and proved to be a gathering force for the group.
“There was unanimous support within the grouping that there should be public opposition to any endorsement of the policing and judicial system.
“The policing issue really was when Republicans had to wake up and smell the coffee.
“Republicans that I have spoken with, who once supported the Good Friday Agreement, now reject it. One said he deeply regrets endorsing it.
“As far as we are concerned, the Good Friday Agreement is a pacification process to give up Republicanism.
“The IRSP has always believed that the Agreement was a copper fastening of partition.
“But once the Agreement was signed, we believed Republicans were trying the political road and giving up the use of an armed strategy.
“The INLA was convinced to go on the same road.
“The IRSP focused on building up the party rather than overturning the agreement.
“Now Republicans are being asked to endorse the police and judicial system.
“As this debate has gained momentum, members of the Concerned Republican group decided to stand as independents.
“There will be a IRSP Ard Comhairle to see if our party will endorse support for these candidates.
“The feedback is that there is a strong possibility that most constituencies will put someone forward.”
Mr Gallagher confirmed that there is a local man who has expressed a wish and that will be considered at this weekend’s Ard Comhairle.
“As Independent Republicans, they oppose any endorsement of the PSNI. The policing issue has forced the hand of Republicans.
“Some of these people until a month ago were members of Sinn Féin.”
OPPOSITION
Mr Gallagher said he believes there is a very strong feeling of opposition gathering across the board to any endorsement of the police or judiciary.
“Sinn Féin would say this is a stepping stone to a United Ireland.
“But it’s a reformist strategy and it is impossible to negotiate away political policing under the framework of the GFA/St Andrew’s Agreement.
“It is a simple exchange of principles to go into power with the DUP, nothing more, nothing less.
He said he believed the SF leadership has misread the depth of feeling among republicans on the issue of policing.
“Overall, I feel it is possible that Sinn Féin could become the third largest party because of protest votes going to independent Republicans.
“This has taken on a momentum of its own and has acted as driving force on the policing debate.
“We are viewing this in the long term. Republicans, from a fair region of diversity are getting together to debate and discuss tactics, strategies and alternatives to the Good Friday Agreement, which has failed Republican objectives.
STRATEGY
“It is very clear within the group that it is an unarmed strategy.
“I did say at the first meeting that was called that I believe that even with an amalgamation of groups such as the INLA, Real IRA and the Continuity, that an effective military campaign against the British could not be achieved at this juncture.
“No-one in the room spoke out against that.”
Asked whether he believed that voters would opt for what many see as a group on the very sidelines of mainstream political parties, he said, “Can someone tell me the difference in voting for Sinn Fein and voting for the SDLP.
“I can see a situation where people will be comfortable in supporting these Independent candidates.
“They are traditional republicans.
He adds, “It would be wrong to sit back and do nothing about the endorsement of policing and the criminalisation of the Republican project.”
He concludes his interview by setting the scenario: “If Gerry Kelly takes up the Minister of Justice portfolio, will he sign the arrest forms on behalf of the Historical Inquiry Team?”
Rusty Nail @ 04:26 PM
What’s all this standing against crap? They are standing for election. They will be elected or rejected. Now, what do they stand for?
Posted by on Jan 12, 2007 @ 06:19 PMRepublicanism.
Posted by on Jan 12, 2007 @ 06:31 PMWell most of those named and being suggested were happy to support the GFA, taking seats in Stormont, powersharing with Unionism and every other Sinn Féin position until very recently.
Will their manifesto just be Sinn Féin’s with their name pencilled at the top and a reference to policing scribbled on the bottom?
Posted by on Jan 12, 2007 @ 06:37 PMIt has to be pointed out that not all the McGlincheys are against Sinn Féin and some remain members of the party.
Someone told me that Paul actually wanted SF to join the policing boards when they were set up and now he simply disagrees with the statement that SF will ‘support’ the PSNI. The IRPs, arch-Conservative Catholic McGeough and Paul are certainly what you would call a rainbow coalition. They don’t stand a chance of getting a seat as I’m sure they know but may well secure an SDLP seat in West Tyrone and ensure that SF don’t get a third in F/S Tyrone. Maith thu.Posted by on Jan 12, 2007 @ 06:41 PMMark,
I suspect that those names listed above were willing passengers on the Sinn Fein Bus for a fair time whilst it was moving along with peace as a bonus. And at the same they were being told by the IRA/Sinn Fein leadership that core Republican values would never be compromised.
None of the above seem to have benefited from the troubles like some we could name!
Clearly they feel let down.
Ingram.
PS. If it helps me win my bet with Parcifal, I am all for it.
Posted by on Jan 12, 2007 @ 06:45 PMAny thoughts on who may provide funding for this political grouping?
What is needed is someone who has had a recent windfall?
No, I don’t mean Dolores McNamara, lottery winner.
With the right sort of funding this group could become the new voice for the hardline republicans and that should lead to a ceasefire from all dissident republican groups.Posted by on Jan 12, 2007 @ 06:53 PMCan’t see a position of - everything they* say but I’m agin endorsing policing in the north, getting them too far with the electorate.
It’ll be interesting to see how they do. I wonder if their mandate however big or small will be treated as an endorsement of other policies from the rag-tag bunch in the coalition. Will McGeogh claim a mandate for his ultra-conservative Catholicism, the IRPs a mandate for their Marxist Workers Republic and never endorsing any police force outside one in a worker’s Republic, McGlinchey a mandate for SF policy with one difference, the 32CSM and RSF (if they fully endorse the coalition) a mandate for their own views?
Or is it just a mandate to reject ever endorsing policing they want?
*Sinn FéinPosted by on Jan 12, 2007 @ 06:54 PMMark,
Simply put. A mandate to Feck the shinners.End Off.
A section of the public may or may not agree with them.
Art,
No substantial donor will be brave enough.I think!
MartinPosted by on Jan 12, 2007 @ 07:01 PMHas everyone else noticed how bitter Mark McGregor has become against republicans, how he has lost the moral and political arguement and now relies on smear innuedo and lies to put forward his stickyist views, maybe he’s going back to his ROOTS that would explain it
Posted by on Jan 12, 2007 @ 07:06 PM>Any thoughts on who may provide funding for this political grouping?
MI5.
Posted by on Jan 12, 2007 @ 07:11 PMBriso.
quote MI5. unquote
Not on your Nellie mate, they have invested so much getting Sinn Fein this far.
There are some variables in this long game, that is not one of them.
Martin
Posted by on Jan 12, 2007 @ 07:15 PMThis sort of unthought out activity is counter productive to say the least.
The McGlincheys and McGeough need to state what they would do should they win a seat? Earlier this week Paul McGlinchey stated that he wouldn’t support the PSNI because it would mean administering British Laws made by a British Parliament in Ireland and that he wouldonly support an all Ireland police force. The whole strategy put forward by Sinn Fein will eventually lead us to that point.
Everyone needs to remember that even if there were to be a declaration of withdrawal by the British tomorrow and the McGlinheys and McGeough were to be elected and were then to give their support to the police force, they would still be administering British made law in the North for some considerable time after withdrawal.
Many laws still in existance in the 26 counties date from pre 1922, and only this week Dublin announced that they were abolishing some 3000 old laws that were no longer relevant which dated from as far back as 1400.
It would therefore be untruthful of Paul McGlinchey to take a seat and state he would be party to administering the law as it will take years to change them, even after repartition.
Is there people out there who seriously beleive that all the laws enacted by the British Government would be null and void the day after repartition? Think of the chaos that would create!
Posted by on Jan 12, 2007 @ 08:15 PMSorry, I meant “Re-unification” not Repartition, I was having a discussion on another blog about that issue.
Posted by on Jan 12, 2007 @ 08:17 PMMark,
are you getting a little sensitive against stoop supporters?? Mind you, I’d be too if I was a supporter of Provisional Spin Fein -especially those who are going to be knocking on homes of Irish Republicans throughout the North over the coming weeks if Mr Adams decides that PSF is to become the sdlp.
Or maybe PSFers anywhere don’t like to be challenged at all? Perhaps that’s why many members are leaving. And if they wish to stand against you and your chums you and whose army will stop them?Posted by on Jan 12, 2007 @ 08:20 PMBorden,
What are you wittering on about. I have no problem with anyone seeking a mandate Republican or otherwise. I’m interested to know what that mandate for.
I’m pointing out annonymous users telling lies about me. Similar to the activities of a senior SDLP official revealed over this kind of activity on Slugger’s during a previous election.
Posted by on Jan 12, 2007 @ 08:25 PMMark,
apologies then. I do understand where you are coming from but I’m sure that you realise that PSf and the stoops have their own anonymous writer on Slugger.
And as for a mandate, was PSF’s not smash Stormont rule at one stage? In a democracy, anyone over the age of 21 can stand on any policy they wish be it an entirely proactive or negative one. Surely you realise this??Posted by on Jan 12, 2007 @ 08:38 PMHighly amusing to see the motley crew now falling over themselves in the rush to support pro-violence dissidents-that dingbat, Ingram, stoops, and (democratic?)unionists of various hues.
Unlike all of the above, I live in a working-class republican area and I know that Sinn Fein support remains solid, as will be borne out at the next election.
In the meantime the message to those presently craving a collapse in our unity of purpose, is to please keep us the wishful thinking.Posted by on Jan 12, 2007 @ 08:43 PMThe principles held by real/true republicans are what the McGlincheys, McGeough are preparing to stand up for! I salute their stance - At least they have priciple which the PSF leadership don’t!
The PSF Leadership since 1986 have been gradually dragged into the British Net! The Ballot Box is where they have choosen to go and the Brits love it!
The Army has been defeated (Aided by the Spin Fein publicity machine) and the price for peace means that Sinn Fein will do every little thing the brits want & they will regardless of all the An Phoblacht preaching!
The thing I really can not wait to see is how the Provo peace machine can sell the new thinking on the doorsteps of South Derry, FST & throughout Tyrone.
I feel that the parties standing against the Provo machinery should have a more united front under the one umbrella showing quite clearly that they mean to use the old republican philosopy of “one going over the hill all going over the hill”. Do it properly so no one can castigate your stance.
The facts are simple Martin, Gerry and friends - no one with any sense of decency will really ever believe anything else you ever have to say! The SF movement is now British Manufactured which may be hard for many of you to stomach - BUT ITS TRUE!
AFTER ALL SICKNESS OR FAMILY ISSUES IS THE ONLY WAY OUT OF PSF NOW IF YOU PUT YOUR HEAD TO FAR ABOVE THE PARAPET - GETTING MORE LIKE THE LABOUR PARTY EVERY DAY?????
Posted by on Jan 12, 2007 @ 08:49 PMThere is way too much playing of the man on this thread. It matters nothing what someone’s political convictions are, just the quality of their argument.
Read the commenting policy (top right!!)
Posted by on Jan 12, 2007 @ 08:58 PMAre they standing anywhere else other than Tyrone?
I’d give McGeough my vote, but thats not my constituency.Posted by on Jan 12, 2007 @ 09:03 PMHurler on the Ditch
This Unity you talk about is great
Please tell me why then that it includes the desire to marginalise people like, Oliver Hughes, Gerry mcGeough & the McGlincheys?
Do you not remember what Danny Morrison Said ” Through the Armalite & the Ballot Box”.
This was in 1986 and all of the above & others used the armalite to get the brits to talk to SF and many paid with their youth or their lives!
The lies and arrogance of little upstarts coming out of the Provo woodwork drives people to become hardline!
SOLID - In the real world most of us live in people hate you and a group of you own are beginning to hate you even more and you guys created their thinking in the spin and lies you throw to the masses!
The plot thickens and the election nears!
Posted by on Jan 12, 2007 @ 09:06 PMWhat the heck am i doing at this time on a Friday posting on here,i should be out…
Anyway time for a yes/no prediction thread for this meeting tomorr ow to say yes to the AF?
Posted by on Jan 12, 2007 @ 09:14 PMCan anyone tell us HOW the McGlincheys and McGeough are going to deliver this All Ireland police force without unification as this requires the people to vote for it in a referendum and the Nationalist people are still approximately 7% short at 43.8%?
Once there is unification the 6 counties will still be administered by laws passed by the Westminister Parliament and therefore the McGlincheys and McGeough would then be administering British law.
These people keep stating they won’t support a police force that is not All Ireland based so are they expecting people to wait the 10-15years it is going to take for unification and have to put up with the crime and anti social behaviour?
We need to keep sight of the big picture and focused on the goal not on side issues that once in office can be solved!
Posted by on Jan 12, 2007 @ 09:34 PMGerry,
Why would you vote for McGeogh? Are you supportive of his current stance on moral issues? Policing? Republicanism? His past? All these?
Genuinely interested. Out of those raised so far as potential candidates his current views are the most unappealing to me.
Posted by on Jan 12, 2007 @ 09:39 PM‘The plot thickens and the election nears!’
No problem with that, Rory-bring it on!
Posted by on Jan 12, 2007 @ 09:41 PM
