A chara
After more than twenty years of supporting Irish nationalism, many of those spent in supporting Sinn Féin and Noraid, I must admit that at this juncture I am thoroughly ashamed to make that admission. This constitutional course undertaken by Messrs Adams and McGuinness is a slap in the face to generations of Irish men and women who have suffered for a united Ireland and who have in many cases made the supreme sacrifice for that goal.
The current [Provisional] Sinn Féin/PIRA leadership is not the Irish Republicanism that I have supported and lobbied for. I support the cause of Irish freedom, not the legitimisation of Britain’s claim to the Six Counties, intimidating critics of the so-called Good Friday Agreement, or the assassination of Republicans such as Joseph O’Connor. Either the current Sinn Féin leadership is incredibly stupid or has been “gotten to” by Britain. I seriously believe the latter is the case.
In my travels in the north-east and through my web contacts, I have found a great many Americans dissastified with Noraid and the turn that events have taken and have backed off from supporting any group or organisation. It is these Americans that I appeal to. It is these Americans looking for a direction that I implore to examine their own hearts.
What is it you support? Noraid no longer is the voice of Irish Republicanism in America any more than [Provisional] Sinn Fein is the voice of Republicanism in Ireland. To support [Provisional] Sinn Fein is to support the Provos, who have clearly demonstrated that they are but another tool of British imperialism, the root of all evil in Ireland. If you consider yourself Republican and truly support Irish freedom, put your efforts behind Republican Sinn Féin, the National Irish Freedom Committee and Friends Of Irish Freedom. If you do otherwise, you too forfeit the right to call yourself Republican.
GARY DELANEY
Toms River, NJ
A chara
As the year quickly comes to a close, one of the main priority’s for the New Year is to highlight Tommy Crossan’s fight for political status.
As we know, political status was signed away back in 1998’s sell-out agreement by the “dissident” Provisional movement.
All true Republicans must give that extra little effort for protests, petitions etc for Tommy and his comrades.
After all, they are not criminals, but true soldiers of the Irish Republic who are a credit to this country. What better way to return our thanks than by giving them the support they so rightly deserve.
TIMMY KING
Limerick
A chara
SAOL NUA and ÉIRE NUA are the greatest theories I’ve ever read, I pray they become reality. A lot of groups in Ireland focus on removing the British presence from Ireland, which is great. But after that is accomplished, what next ? Republican Sinn Féin has a great plan for government, I feel it can be used as an example for developing countries all over the world. Republican Sinn Féin has my support!
Brian Wardlow
by e-mail
A chara
As a 17-year-old that has a keen interest in politics and a great empathy with the beliefs of the Republican revolution, I feel greatly disenchanted. In my opinion the only way to secure our 32-County workers and small farmers Republic as outlined by the Proclamation of Independence is to educate the youth of our nation.
When I read your publication or other Republican periodicals all I read is complaining, lamenting of past glories etc. But for many of my peers this is a great turn-off. And why not? When we were raised on a happy upbringing of escapism through colourful TV.
What I want is more accessibility, more freedom of choice due to heightened awareness. What can be done for my country, not what has been done to her. The youth of Ireland want the chance to pass on the torch of revolution that after 800 years is now but an ember. We want to grow old saying to our grandchildren that, yes! We have fought for your freedom so that we may hold our heads high with self-esteem and dignity among the great nations of the earth.
So come on leadership, put away the tissues and shake yourselves. You do not inherit Ireland from your parents but borrow from your children.
AODH Ó CRÓINÍN
Co Cork
A chara
I was reading the Irish Times (November 11, 2000) where Martin Ferris called for the release of the five Provisionals held in Castlerea prison and said that all political prisoners who qualified under the Belfast Agreement should be released. What Martin Ferris means is that you should:
Accept British rule in Ireland
Accept Partition
Accept Crown Forces as the army of the Six Counties and
Accept that Republican soldiers are terrorists.
Martin, in case you use the Portlaoise bypass on your way up to meet the Crown Minister at 44, Portlaoise jail is still there. E3 Landing holds Republican POWs who do not accept Leinster House or Stormont. In Maghaberry jail Republican POWs are protesting for political status won by Bobby Sands and his comrades. Surrendered along with the arms dumps the dead Volunteers dug in.
The Free State army pay their soldiers for loss of hearing. I suggest the Provos pay their soldiers for loss of memory.
Tiocfadh Ár Lá.
NICKEY McGRATH
Thomastown
Co Kilkenny
A chara
Whilst welcoming the release of the bodies of Kevin Barry and his ten comrades from Mountjoy and their proposed re-burial in the Republican Plot, Glasnevin, I must express my disappointment at any attempt, particularly by people claiming to represent the National Graves Association, an organisation with a long and honourable tradition of honouring Ireland’s Republican dead, to ‘politicise’ the
re-burials by attempting to exclude people from participating in the re-burials simply on the grounds of their political beliefs.
In view of the fact that these ten noble patriots gave their lives for Irish freedom and the All-Ireland Republic, and indeed are to be buried in a plot which contains the remains of patriots who likewise dedicated their lives to the cause of a free and independent Ireland, including the late Vice-President of Republican Sinn Féin, Dáithí Ó Conaill. Is it not fitting that those who remain committed to the same cause and ideals which inspired these men should be allowed to honour them at their re-interment?
DES DALTON
PRO
Kildare Comhairle Ceantair
Republican Sinn Féin
A chara
Listening to Morning Ireland on RTÉ Radio on November 1, 2000 I was delighted to hear that the 26-County State was to exhume the bodies of 10 IRA Volunteers buried in Mountjoy jail and have them laid in the Republican Plot in Glasnevin Cemetery.
However I was saddened to hear a spokesman for the National Graves Association saying that no paramilitary organisation would hijack the funerals and that the “Irish” army would do the honours as they were members of the “old” IRA.
Firstly he was referring to the Free State army that executed Republicans in prison yards like Portlaoise jail, their only crime the continuing of the same struggle that Kevin Barry gave his young life for.
It was the same army that shot Republican POWs trying to escape from the Curragh to carry on the war Kevin Barry and his comrades were executed for and the same army that shot Tom Smith in Portlaoise jail in the 1970s trying to escape to carry on the war for Irish freedom.
NORA LYNCH
Limerick
Ireland
A chara
The Chief-of-Staff of the defenders of the Free State, the Free State army, the same people who claim the Tricolour, the same people who have attacked and interfered with Irish Republicans for years, as well as co-operating with British troops, had tea and biscuits and held shooting competitions etc with them, has now rubber-stamped a policy which allows non-Irish nationals to enter the Free State army as mercenaries.
The Free State army carries the Tricolour across the world, fights in other people’s battles or just becomes an obstacle in the path of revolutionary armies. They run away from reality, some may say, when in fact they should stay at home and fight for Irish freedom.
Ireland for the Irish, not London or Rome.
SEÁN MURPHY
Cork