Breandán Mac Cionnaith joins eirigi

[Comrade Ryan]

I don't start many threads but I found the fact that Brendan Mac Cionnaith of the Garvaghy Road Residents has joined eirigi and spoke at their recent fundraiser in Dublin quite interesting.

Obviously this is quite a coup for the new group and just thought it strange that it hasn't warranted much comment.

What are people thoughts on the matter?

[robertemmett]

i remember an newspaper article about him standing down from psf.

[Comrade Ryan]

i remember an newspaper article about him standing down from psf.

Yeah he was a PA up in Stormont for a short period and resigned from the party before the policing decision.

There were some rumours about at the time concerning a potential attempt at a deal over Drumcree between SF and the DUP. Some thought this may have been a contributing factor to his resignation.

I'm sure this will be of concern for some.

Seems eirigi is attracting soem very credible people as of late.

[RisenBelfast]

Breandán spoke well at the function in Coolock and it was a pleasure to talk with him after. Like every éirígí member I know he is top drawer. I look forward to standing with him and other éirígí activists from Co. Armagh on Thursday in opposition to royal visits to Ireland.

And like every other éirígí issue this has nothing to do with SF, it has everything to do with a Republican Socialist group that represents peoples' views.

éirígí abú!

[Comrade Ryan]

Couldn't agree more RisenBelfast.

[robertemmett]

are eirigi a politcal "party".. do they plan to stand in elections??

[Comrade Ryan]

They became a political party at their last ard fheis.

However, as far as I know, they haven't made any decision on running for elections as of yet.

[RisenBelfast]

RobertEmmett,

éirígí moved from being a campaigns group to a political party after last year's Ard Fheis. The membership, who drive all policy, have not decided if the party will engage in electoralism in the future. The focus is on re-engaging people in Republican activism through campaigns.

[robertemmett]

well it would be the logical next step for a party.. to test their support in an election. they could offer an alternative for left republicans.

[robertemmett]

RobertEmmett,

éirígí moved from being a campaigns group to a political party after last year's Ard Fheis. The membership, who drive all policy, have not decided if the party will engage in electoralism in the future. The focus is on re-engaging people in Republican activism through campaigns.

fair enough. its good to see a group out there who havent lost sight of what republicanism on this island is aout

[Comrade Ryan]

Yes it is.

Its early days for the party but they have attracted some very good and credible socialist republicans.

They also have a fairly young membership, which will be the envy of any movement or party.

eirigi seem to be one of the few orgs that are bucking the trend in this regard. Many others are finding it increasingly difficult to attract young people, but it seems eirigi has got them in spades.

[RisenBelfast]

Comrade,

The party is attracting good numbers of younger people and women but there are also many older members of real standing joining up and some very credible figures being supportive.

[FreeDerry20]

i have the dvd "seige of garvaghy road" and breandan came across as a real leader in it,didnt know he had left sinn fein but after seeing the way his people were treated on that road buy ruc im not suprised he didnt sign up to support them, definetley will be an asset for eirigi

[broche]

have the dvd "seige of garvaghy roadcouldn't tell us where i could get that?

[wherenow]

cathfidh mé a rá go bhfuil suim mor agam san eirigi. ta siad ag deanamh siarobair

i must say I am impressed by what I have heard of eirigi. they seem to be involved in some great work.

[FreeDerry20]

it was doing the rounds in derry about 6 months back along with holy cross. it must last 3 hours, all diffrent news reports from the time then it take you up all the way to the ardoyne riots then from a few years ago, not exactly sure of the year, maybe 2005??

if you have seen the IRA funerals DVD that is also going around its something like that mo chara, ive been trying to upload them but cant.

[tireoghan]

Interesting to see Brendan defecting to Eirigi; seems quite a few former psf members have joinned rcently.

Just wonder what eirigis views on the Good Friday Agreement are; decommissioning, recognising stormont etc

[RisenBelfast]

On the GFA and St Andrew's - éirígí believes they are more likely to solidify British rule in Ireland than end it.

On decommissioning - éirígí has no weapons

On Stormont - éirígí is anti-imperialist and anti-partitionist

[RSF-Fianoglach]

were in coolock was brendan speaking? i didnt know they had any members in the coolock area.

[RisenBelfast]

The Airfield Social Club. Plenty of éirígí folks round there.

[Comrade Ryan]

Comrade,

The party is attracting good numbers of younger people and women but there are also many older members of real standing joining up and some very credible figures being supportive.

I know.

[Comrade Ryan]

were in coolock was brendan speaking? i didnt know they had any members in the coolock area.

You should get out of the attic more often.

[StillSetanta]

The Airfield Social Club. Plenty of éirígí folks round there.

Do Stuie and Brian count as "plenty"?

[Comrade Ryan]

Do Stuie and Brian count as "plenty"?

Seeing as they're not from Coolock and all ya clown.

Nice attempt at portraying yourself as being informed though. Better luck next time.

[belfast 1916]

On the GFA and St Andrew's - éirígí believes they are more likely to solidify British rule in Ireland than end it.

On decommissioning - éirígí has no weapons

On Stormont - éirígí is anti-imperialist and anti-partitionist

if the party is anti-partitionist, didnt brendan have a job in stormont? and didnt other members of eirigi have jobs as mlas in stormont, not really a good base for an anti partitionist party is it, by the way a know members of eirigi in belfast well, and alot of good people there. i have thought about and still would consider joining eirigi but i have concerns that in the future it might decide that stormont is the place to open up arguments for there position and considering some eirigi members have already been to stormont once it might make it easier a second time round

[belfast rep]

if the party is anti-partitionist, didnt brendan have a job in stormont? and didnt other members of eirigi have jobs as mlas in stormont, not really a good base for an anti partitionist party is it, by the way a know members of eirigi in belfast well, and alot of good people there. i have thought about and still would consider joining eirigi but i have concerns that in the future it might decide that stormont is the place to open up arguments for there position and considering some eirigi members have already been to stormont once it might make it easier a second time round


I have a lot of time for most of the members of Eirigi in Befast, I have never known any of them to state Stormont as an issue, policing and ideology yeah,

[tireoghan]

if the party is anti-partitionist, didnt brendan have a job in stormont? and didnt other members of eirigi have jobs as mlas in stormont, not really a good base for an anti partitionist party is it, by the way a know members of eirigi in belfast well, and alot of good people there. i have thought about and still would consider joining eirigi but i have concerns that in the future it might decide that stormont is the place to open up arguments for there position and considering some eirigi members have already been to stormont once it might make it easier a second time round

Id have to agree on that. Although I do see Eirigi very involved in active campaigning, and on that I would give them great credit, there seems to be many reminants of latter day former Sinn Fein members who accepted most of the GFA and therefore in the future they could well go into Stormont in some form or another; I suppose only time will tell.

[belfast 1916]

I have a lot of time for most of the members of Eirigi in Befast, I have never known any of them to state Stormont as an issue, policing and ideology yeah,

i was asking risenbelfast a question as he said that eirigi was anti-partionist and I thought that if some members of eirigi were in stormont as mlas or political advisers then how could they say they were anti-partionist and by the way belfast republican I know many members of eirigi in belfast and some of them DO have serious issue with stormont

[belfast rep]

i was asking risenbelfast a question as he said that eirigi was anti-partionist and I thought that if some members of eirigi were in stormont as mlas or political advisers then how could they say they were anti-partionist and by the way belfast republican I know many members of eirigi in belfast and some of them DO have serious issue with stormont
and i don't. all the ones i know actively work election campaigns at one time or another

[belfast 1916]

and i don't. all the ones i know actively work election campaigns at one time or another

and what about my first point?

[StillSetanta]

Seeing as they're not from Coolock and all ya clown.

Nice attempt at portraying yourself as being informed though. Better luck next time.
So there's no actual members from Coolock then?

[Nijinsky]

Id have to agree on that. Although I do see Eirigi very involved in active campaigning, and on that I would give them great credit, there seems to be many reminants of latter day former Sinn Fein members who accepted most of the GFA and therefore in the future they could well go into Stormont in some form or another; I suppose only time will tell.

Are you saying they supported the GFA or just that they didnt leave SF after the GFA? I know many of the people in Eirigi now opposed the GFA at the time of the GFA and argued against it at all levels within SF from that time until they left.

[FTA69]

if the party is anti-partitionist, didnt brendan have a job in stormont? and didnt other members of eirigi have jobs as mlas in stormont, not really a good base for an anti partitionist party is it, by the way a know members of eirigi in belfast well, and alot of good people there. i have thought about and still would consider joining eirigi but i have concerns that in the future it might decide that stormont is the place to open up arguments for there position and considering some eirigi members have already been to stormont once it might make it easier a second time round

By your logic Seamus Costello would have been viewed with suspicion because he stayed with the Sticks until 1974. Republicans need to stop looking at the past and concentrate on the here and now.

[belfast 1916]

By your logic Seamus Costello would have been viewed with suspicion because he stayed with the Sticks until 1974. Republicans need to stop looking at the past and concentrate on the here and now.

comrade im not looking backwards but i beleive that if I was to join a party like eirigi I would want to no were they could potionely end up, for exp, if i joined eirigi and sold there argument to friends and family and later found out that they were joining stormont Id have to leave the party and seeing as i have already left sinn fein before i dont fancy going through all that again

[Comrade Ryan]

So there's no actual members from Coolock then?

There is but unlike yourself i'll not be throwing their names around an internet forum.

No offence, just good sense like.

[Comrade Ryan]

if the party is anti-partitionist, didnt brendan have a job in stormont? and didnt other members of eirigi have jobs as mlas in stormont, not really a good base for an anti partitionist party is it, by the way a know members of eirigi in belfast well, and alot of good people there. i have thought about and still would consider joining eirigi but i have concerns that in the future it might decide that stormont is the place to open up arguments for there position and considering some eirigi members have already been to stormont once it might make it easier a second time round

Firstly, no, there are no members of eirigi who have been MLA's. Brendan was a PA but as it stands at present, thats as far as it goes.

Secondly, what we have to ask ourselves is this - does being in Stormont make you a partitionist?

I would argue that it doesn't. It doesn't if you take the Bolshevik stance of 'standing in any pig stye' to make your arguments. It doesn't if you take the position of using your seat to show not what can be achieved up there but what can't. Use your tenacity and intellect to demonstrate that it is a failed entity that cannot and will not deliver for the people in general and for republican people in particular.

Thirdly, is there any other way of doing this without taking seats in Stormont? As we all already know there isn't much room for abstentionist candidates at the minute.

Having said all of that, I don't believe that the membership of eirigi have taken this decision yet, or even had the arguments.

However, what I do know is that eirigi is opposed to the GFA and as a consequence is opposed to the regime at Stormont. What I do know is that eirigi have some very good people, solid socialist republicans, who will do their best to advance a republican left analysis is whatever they do.

I think its worthy of support. But at least I think it deserves not to be strangled at birth. They need time to set their course, I think we should give it to them.

[tireoghan]

Are you saying they supported the GFA or just that they didnt leave SF after the GFA? I know many of the people in Eirigi now opposed the GFA at the time of the GFA and argued against it at all levels within SF from that time until they left.

I know from my own experience that I personally voiced concerns at the direction the movement had taken, and for the sake of unity I stayed with it for a time to try and change the balance but it was patently obvious from the mid to late 1990s that the leadership was going in one direction only.

In regards to Eirigi; I couldnt say at what stage anyone left the movement post GFA but it wouldnt take several years to work out what was happening or that individual memebers couldnt change the minds of the leadership.

That being said I still respect the work that they are doing.

[Comrade Ryan]

In regards to Eirigi; I couldnt say at what stage anyone left the movement post GFA but it wouldnt take several years to work out what was happening or that individual memebers couldnt change the minds of the leadership.

How can you say this?

Are you saying that there weren't people on the inside fighting away throughout the past 10 or so years. That they thought the movement could be salvaged?

No as it turns out, it couldn't and it wasn't possible to alter the course it was on.

But this is the beauty of hindsight.

But then again, sure you're a dupe too for not leaving in 1986. Aren't you?

Ruari will tell you that he seen this all coming from as early as that, doesn that make you some sort of knave for not seeing it also? Are you a fool for staying and fighting on the inside.

Until people get over all of this childish sh*t, the future of republicanism is bleak.

[FTA69]

Spot on CR.

[Jim]

I personally would like to see eirigi's stance on armed struggle in an irish context,I distinctly remember seing something on their website about it but it was removed.

[Liam Lynch]

I personally would like to see eirigi's stance on armed struggle in an irish context,I distinctly remember seing something on their website about it but it was removed.

Their position on Republican unity would be interesting also.

[Comrade Ryan]

I personally would like to see eirigi's stance on armed struggle in an irish context,I distinctly remember seing something on their website about it but it was removed.

I believe their position on armed struggle in the irish context is the same as its view of amred struggle in any context.

That they recognise the right of people to resist foreign occupation and domination through the use of arms but that it mightn't always be the best idea.

Namely, that conditions have to be right. But as we all know that a matter of interpretation.

[conghaileach]

I personally would like to see eirigi's stance on armed struggle in an irish context,I distinctly remember seing something on their website about it but it was removed.

Do you remember anything in particular about the piece in question?

[Jim]

Do you remember anything in particular about the piece in question?

Well it was along the lines of how futile armed struggle was in the 21st century.

I could have sworn i see something along those lines on their site at the time they arrived on the scene but i might be wrong.It isnt there now though.

If i was a member of eirigi id be looking for a clear explanation of eirigi's stance on armed struggle because while it may not be a major issue now it will be in the future.
If the armed campaign is intensified a republican movement couldnt afford to be hesistant on whether they support it or not.

[Comrade Ryan]

Well it was along the lines of how futile armed struggle was in the 21st century.

I could have sworn i see something along those lines on their site at the time they arrived on the scene but i might be wrong.It isnt there now though.

If i was a member of eirigi id be looking for a clear explanation of eirigi's stance on armed struggle because while it may not be a major issue now it will be in the future.
If the armed campaign is intensified a republican movement couldnt afford to be hesistant on whether they support it or not.

I think you are mistaken. I've followed the group since its inception and can't remember anything like that,

[FTA69]

Indeed CR, I have no recollection of that either. As Bernadette McAliskey said at an Éirigi commemoration, there is a right to resist oppression by all means necessary, but armed struggle isn't necessarily a good idea.

If i was a member of eirigi id be looking for a clear explanation of eirigi's stance on armed struggle because while it may not be a major issue now it will be in the future.

What armed campaign? People have been promising an armed campaign for the past 11 years and have delivered nothing, the armed campaign at present is the worst in Irish history, and hasn't affected the political tides in this country one iota; it hasn't even prevented normalisation, never mind coming close to ending British rule in Ireland. What makes you think that is going to change in the future?

[Jim]

I think you are mistaken. I've followed the group since its inception and can't remember anything like that,

No problem, my apologies.

If i was a member of eirigi id be looking for a clear explanation of eirigi's stance on armed struggle because while it may not be a major issue now it will be in the future.

What armed campaign? People have been promising an armed campaign for the past 11 years and have delivered nothing, the armed campaign at present is the worst in Irish history, and hasn't affected the political tides in this country one iota; it hasn't even prevented normalisation, never mind coming close to ending British rule in Ireland. What makes you think that is going to change in the future?

Worst in Irish History??A bit of an exageration do you not think?

The Republican Movement has to be rebuilt for any armed campaign to be successful and it will take a long time,the conditions are not at present favourable for widespread armed struggle but we are fully prepared for any eventuality and we are totally consistent with our stance on armed struggle.

Im also in no position to know what armed republican groups will do in the future and no offence im pretty sure your not either.
Would i be correct is saying that you believe that armed struggle wont play a part in the future but you dont want to rule out armed struggle publicly?

Personally it doesnt matter to me if someone renounces armed struggle but my view is that you either support it or you dont.

[FTA69]

Worst in Irish History??A bit of an exageration do you not think?

No to be honest, its been going on for 11 years and not one enemy combatant has been killed. Even Robert Emmet's abortive Rising managed better than that.

The Republican Movement has to be rebuilt for any armed campaign to be successful and it will take a long time,

True, but more importantly that movement will also need a lot of widespread support throughout Ireland, and even then it still mightn't be a viable tactic.

Im also in no position to know what armed republican groups will do in the future and no offence im pretty sure your not either.

No I'm not, I'm only looking at the trend so far, it has been going on for a more than a decade and it hasn't made the slightest dent in the broader political process. The IRA campaign at least made an internal solution impossible, the current campaigns have impacted on nothing. Personally I don't think either of the two groups out there at the moment have the capability to even begin to match the previous campaign, and that a new approach is needed by Republicans.

Would i be correct is saying that you believe that armed struggle wont play a part in the future but you dont want to rule out armed struggle publicly?
Personally it doesnt matter to me if someone renounces armed struggle but my view is that you either support it or you dont.

Just because you don't believe that armed struggle is a viable tactic doesn't mean that you are implicitly opposed to it per se. I don't believe the current campaigns are much use, but I don't condemn them, and I certainly won't be touting to the police on them or encouraging others to do so.

[RSF-Fianoglach]

Seeing as they're not from Coolock and all ya clown.

Nice attempt at portraying yourself as being informed though. Better luck next time.

comrade spineless ryan,your the only clown on this forum,you are simply a troll.

[conghaileach]

comrade spineless ryan,your the only clown on this forum,you are simply a troll.

You could at least try to respond to his point.

[RSF-Fianoglach]

You could at least try to respond to his point.

what point,babbling is not considered a point.

[conghaileach]

what point,babbling is not considered a point.

You made a comment on éirígí members living in Coolock (nicely done by the way), and he challenged you on it. And then you called him a troll.

[RisenBelfast]

Does it really matter?

If people want to believe there are no éirígí activists in Coolock that's their prerogative.

Hardly worth a row?

[Comrade Ryan]

comrade spineless ryan,your the only clown on this forum,you are simply a troll.

So says the 'man' who pops into have a pop.

Give over son i'm tired lashing you.

[Jim]

No to be honest, its been going on for 11 years and not one enemy combatant has been killed. Even Robert Emmet's abortive Rising managed better than that.



I cant disagree with you on lack of enemies killed but unlike a large part of irish history since occupation began there has been resistance and it is very important.
The enemy have been extremely lucky not to have suffered fatalities so far.

No I'm not, I'm only looking at the trend so far,

People could have said the same in the run up to the easter rising in 1916 in terms of armed resistance.

The IRA campaign at least made an internal solution impossible,

Irrelevent as they through in the towel and it was political inteference in that movement that was it's downfall.
The RIRA do not have that problem in so far as they are not answerable to any political group or party.

and that a new approach is needed by Republicans.


There is but i would never rule out armed struggle.

Just because you don't believe that armed struggle is a viable tactic doesn't mean that you are implicitly opposed to it per se. I don't believe the current campaigns are much use, but I don't condemn them, and I certainly won't be touting to the police on them or encouraging others to do so.

Thats the problem in that your very ambiguent on the subject of armed struggle neither rejecting it or supporting it.
In my opinion the reason your ambiguent on the subject is that you dont want to alienate any potential support,those who uphold armed struggle and those who dont.

[FTA69]

I cant disagree with you on lack of enemies killed but unlike a large part of irish history since occupation began there has been resistance and it is very important.

True, but not all resistance has to be armed in order for it to be taken seriously.

People could have said the same in the run up to the easter rising in 1916 in terms of armed resistance.

The likes of the Gaelic League, 1913 Lockout and the GAA were all as important to the Republican project in the run-up to the Rising, and to be honest the IRB's activity in those spheres was much more potent than many of their more clandestine actions.

Irrelevent as they through in the towel and it was political inteference in that movement that was it's downfall.
The RIRA do not have that problem in so far as they are not answerable to any political group or party.

The RIRA have not managed to prosecute a campaign that can shape the political discourse, every major move in the normalisation process has been pulled off over the heads of the RIRA.

There is but i would never rule out armed struggle.

I'm not ruling out anything, "by any means necessary".

Thats the problem in that your very ambiguent on the subject of armed struggle neither rejecting it or supporting it.

That's not being ambiguous at all, I'm simply saying that if people want to resist British occupation in their country then that is their right to do so.