Republicanism – Page 3 – Slugger O'Toole

“Something, Something, Something, Dark Side…”

Pete Baker on December 14, 2011, 6:35 pm

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The last time Sinn Féin wheeled out little known placeman, and non-public representative, Declan Kearney, in November 2009, the party was trying desperately to raise the stakes over the devolution of policing and justice powers – while muttering about “the NIO spooks and PSNI’s political detectives“. What he’s doing out of his box again is anyone’s guess… ANYhoo, here’s the script this time Sinn Fein’s support for democratically accountable policing is unambiguous, but it is not unconditional. We have repeatedly said that our Party …

Michael Campbell sentenced to 12 years after MI5 sting operation

Pete Baker on October 21, 2011, 4:29 pm

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After a two year trial in Lithuania, suspected Real IRA member Michael Campbell, 39, from County Louth, has been found guilty of supporting a terrorist group, illegal possession of weapons and attempted weapons smuggling and has been sentenced to 12 years in prison. He was arrested in Lithuania in January 2008 as a result of an MI5 sting operation, working alongside Lithuanian authorities, against republican terrorist groups. From the Guardian report Michael Campbell was jailed for 12 years by a judge …

“Republicans don’t accept that…”

Pete Baker on October 9, 2011, 2:52 pm

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Despite sitting in a Northern Ireland Assembly that requires Royal Assent to enact any legislation passed, the NI deputy First Minister, Sinn Féin’s John O’Dowd, has told the BBC that he would not be prepared to meet the UK Head of State (Queen Elizabeth II). From the BBC report [John O’Dowd] “There are a number of issues which need to be resolved before such a scenario would arise, including from a republican point of view, we were meeting a family …

David Latimer’s speech: if an opportunity; one he missed completely

Turgon on September 10, 2011, 7:23 pm

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Following on from Mark’s blog with Rev. David Latimer’s speech to the Sinn Fein Ard Fheis, I thought an analysis of the speech from a unionist perspective was maybe worthwhile. I have already suggested some possible motives for why Latimer said what he said. However, leaving aside the poor delivery, the preening, the media chasing and anything which might though accurate be described as man playing: why was it nonsense and incorrect? The first reason is simple whataboutery. Whataboutery is …

The ANC, the IRA and the rise of influence of the left within Sinn Fein…

Mick Fealty on August 30, 2011, 9:48 am

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World by Storm has a nice piece up on the IRA’s role in helping MK, the armed wing of the ANC, in the 1980s. In particular he sees a strange alchemy at work there: …if one can think of a clearly legitimate contemporary struggle it was that against apartheid and it is to the credit of all involved in this latest revelation that Irish people and the IRA played a small part in its overthrow. Furthermore I tend to believe …

“We were painting out political statements…”

Pete Baker on August 17, 2011, 2:33 pm

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The North Belfast News provides an example from the New Lodge area in north Belfast of what happens when “the guerillas” become “the people in power”, and are “pilloried as ‘traitors’ by their young challengers”. From the North Belfast News The day after the clean-up fresh graffiti was daubed on the walls in the Carlisle area of the New Lodge. The slogans included ‘Oppose British Internment’, ‘Free Marian Price’ and ‘Support the POWs’. “We were painting out political statements and …

“every discussion of the experience of west Belfast there is going to be blinkered”

Pete Baker on July 29, 2011, 8:57 pm

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In the Belfast Telegraph, Malachi O’Doherty takes a critical look at that “plenty for all” Feile. From the Belfast Telegraph article The story of what west Belfast experienced through the Troubles is complex and amazing, but it is filtered at the Feile through a determination to defend the reputation of the IRA, the organisation that brought much of that grief upon the people and to write out of history the pain and horror suffered by those – and we know them – …

“those people that believe the use of guns and bombs brings solutions to problems”

Pete Baker on July 26, 2011, 9:56 pm

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In a major search operation across Northern Ireland five men have been arrested for questioning in connection with the murder of PSNI officer Ronan Kerr. UTV has an interesting response from Sinn Fein’s Martin McGuinness, MP, MLA. Speaking in the wake of the arrests, and of a pipe bomb attack in his home city, the Deputy First Minister spoke out against what he called “the disgraceful ongoing activities of those people that believe the use of guns and bombs brings solutions to …

“Paramilitarism is now deemed more legitimate…”

Pete Baker on July 15, 2011, 2:41 pm

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In a Guardian report which features a Continuity IRA member’s description of Sinn Féin as “British ministers in a puppet government”, Robin Wilson makes an important point. Now that “the guerillas” are the people in power… From the Guardian report “In theory, the ‘peace process’ culminating in the 1998 Belfast agreement was meant by the inclusion in the political arena of representatives of paramilitary organisations, principally the IRA, to lay the basis for a peaceful region in which all significant political forces, …

“encouraged by a small number of people opposed to the peace process…”

Pete Baker on July 13, 2011, 8:00 pm

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Twenty-six people were arrested during last night’s rioting in nationalist areas of north and south Belfast and Londonderry. There were also reports of public disorder in Armagh, and the Dunclug estate in Ballymena. RTÉ lists Strabane, Newry, Ballymena and Armagh city, as well as Belfast and Londonderry. In Londonderry, we are told Sinn Féin Foyle MLA Martina Anderson said the violence was “orchestrated” and described it as “an orgy of destruction”. “Let’s be clear the vandalism and wanton destruction in …

HET Report on Kingsmills

Turgon on June 16, 2011, 11:29 am

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The News Letter today has details of the HET report into the Kingsmills massacre, the full report of which will be released to the families today. From the News Letter: On January 5, 1976, a Ford Transit minibus was carrying a mixed workforce of 16 home from work in Glenanne to Bessbrook. Five were Catholics and 11 were Protestants. Four of the Catholics got out at Whitecross, while the remainder continued on the road to Bessbrook. As the bus cleared …

Sinn Fein: limited political ambition?

Turgon on June 9, 2011, 10:44 pm

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The row over Mary McArdle shows no sign of abating yet and the one over Sean McGlinchey the new mayor of Limavady seems to be gearing up. There are of course a variety of other Sinn Fein members with significant terrorist pasts: the News Letter produced a list of these individuals last week. Various explanations have been proffered: rewards for “old soldiers” and reassuring the hard line republican base seem to be amongst the most convincing; winding up unionists is …

Marvin Canning back in court

Pete Baker on June 9, 2011, 2:25 pm

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Marvin Canning, brother-in-law of Northern Ireland deputy First Minister, Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness, has been charged with two terrorist offences in connection with a 32 County Sovereignty Movement Easter Monday parade in Londonderry. An unrelated prosecution against Mr Canning was stayed in November last year when late disclosure of “pivotal” statements by prosecutors had “resulted in such potential prejudice as to render any trial unfair”. According to today’s BBC report, Mr Canning, who was arrested on Tuesday, is charged with arranging, managing …

“We are back to looking under our cars again.”

Pete Baker on June 5, 2011, 4:27 pm

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The Independent on Sunday details some statistics of concern An Independent on Sunday investigation has identified violent and growing opposition to the peace agreement. Bombing incidents are at their highest level in eight years. There were 100 incidents in 2010/11. Some 205 new personal protection weapon (PPW) licences – for people whose lives are under threat – were granted by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) last year, a five-fold increase on the 42 issued in 2008. Almost a …

“they’ve all sold out on the Irish people.”

Pete Baker on May 16, 2011, 3:32 pm

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A Newshound transcribed report of the alleged assault and attempted intimidation of former Sinn Féin member, Colm Lynagh, in Clones last weekend includes this snippet. Gerry Adams delivered the oration at Jim Lynagh’s funeral. At that time, Martin McGuiness was already engaged in secret meetings with MI6 agent Michael Oakley. Yet Adams told mourners at the graveside: “Anyone who does business with the British, the SDLP or the Free State establishment are fools as they’ve all sold out on the Irish people.” …

“encouraging support for an illegal organisation…”

Pete Baker on May 15, 2011, 5:31 pm

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The Belfast Telegraph report, transcribed by Newshound, has some details of the arrest of Marian Price and the subsequent search of her house. But the reports of the charge she now faces, encouraging support for an illegal organisation, link it specifically to the 32 County Sovereignty Movement’s Easter Monday rally in Londonderry – where she was the main speaker. Just as she was in 2010. As the News Letter report notes The PSNI said this morning that a 57-year-old woman, understood to be …

Gerry Kelly: “we’re not living in the past, we’re not living in the past”

Pete Baker on April 29, 2011, 12:37 pm

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The Belfast Telegraph has a transcript of what happened when BBC NI’s Martina Purdy asked Sinn Féin’s Gerry Kelly about his party’s recent “mixed messages”. [Another ‘stupid’ question? – Ed] Indeed. From the Belfast Telegraph report Ms Purdy ‘tweeted’ after the interview that Mr Kelly had been “exceptionally annoyed” with her, but did not want to comment further yesterday. A Sinn Fein spokesperson said: “Martina Purdy chose to take this opportunity to insult Ireland’s patriot dead as republicans across the …

“No act of violence will advance the cause of reunification by one millimetre”

Pete Baker on April 26, 2011, 6:28 pm

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In a reported speech on Sunday Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness ducked the opportunity to tell his former comrades-in-arms that he was in the wrong too, preferring instead to stick to his new party approved script. “But we believe that we are in the countdown to a united Ireland.” [Added quote from a Mid Ulster Observer report] It’s an improvement on his stated view at the time… During Martin McGuinness’s early days as head of the IRA’s Derry Brigade in the early 1970s, he …

Increased security measures for Londonderry courthouse

Pete Baker on April 18, 2011, 9:38 pm

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Following last month’s attempted car bomb at the courthouse in Londonderry, the BBC reports Increased security measures are to be installed at the courthouse in Londonderry after an attempted bomb attack on the building last month. More than 120 bollards will be placed on the footpath outside the court, stretching from the city walls to St. Columb’s Court. Similar measures have already been put in place at the Strand Road police station in the city. Road closures have been ordered …

Arrest in Denis Donaldson murder probe?

Pete Baker on April 12, 2011, 11:16 pm

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Previously adjourned, for the fifth time, in August last year, the inquest into the 2006 death of former senior Sinn Féin figure Denis Donaldson was adjourned again in January ahead of a further pre-inquest hearing on May 5. Now the BBC are reporting that a 70-year-old man has been arrested and is being questioned in Letterkenny Garda station, County Donegal. As RTÉ notes, the man is being detained “on suspicion of withholding information”. He can be held for three days. Responsibility for Donaldson’s murder was claimed …