View Full Version : When Sinn Fein Youth Grow Up....
I am surprised Ogra Shinn Fein didn't try to claim credit for eirigi's flagraising - unless some members of eirigi were re-living their youth? :)
Anyway, here is a blast from the past. I knew I remembered this - just got the year wrong - it was 1997. Enjoy.
Saoirse sit on City Hall (http://republican-news.org/archive/1997/November06/06yout.html) (AP/RN 6 November 1997)
Three members of Sinn Fein Youth were arrested following a highly successful protest at Belfast City Hall, this Monday 3 November. The protest calling for the release of political prisoners was organised in conjunction with Saoirse, the political prisoners campaign group.
At 11.30am the three youths, dressed as painters, and equipped with ladders and banners, walked into the grounds of City Hall. They scaled the front of the building, occupying the domed porte-cochere, which sits above the entrance to the historic building.
Within minutes a large crowd of onlookers stood at the gates to City Hall. By 12.30 the press outnumbered the public.
Despite continued attempts by the RUC to convince the protestors to come down from the roof, the Sinn Fein Youth activists remained until they were satisfied that the protest had made its point, and decended voluntarily.
On the ground the three youths were arrested and taken to Antrim Road RUC barracks, where they were charged with public order offences, and bailed to appear in court on 1 December.
Saoirse spokeperson Martin Meehan said, ``today's protest was a great success, it has raised the issue of political prisoners once again and made it clear that their release is an essential part of the peace process.''
In a sinister development one of the protestors, Eoin O'Broin, after having been discharged, was approached by two unidentified males while still on the grounds of the RUC barracks, and asked to attend a meeting in private. When asked to identify themselves, the men refused, but indicated they were `police' with a special interest in O'Broin.
``They mentioned a series of details about my work and political life, and said that they were taking a keen interest in my recent activities,'' O Broin said. ``When I asked them what they wanted they just said that they wanted a ``chat'' and that if I ever needed to talk or get out of trouble then I knew where they were. When I asked for their names and numbers, I was refused''. Commenting on the incident Martin Meehan said, ``the RUC have once again shown their true colours in trying to harass and bribe our young people. This was obviously an attempt to recruit the man in question to become an informer, and thankfully one that failed. Is this not contrary to the spirit of the peace process which we are all working so hard to build?''
http://www.belfastexposed.org/uploadimages/ParVineStreet237-E25.jpg
Image from Belfast Exposed archive (http://www.belfastexposed.org/archive/image.php?parentid=17&catid=62&imgid=489)
A sampling of further Saoirse actions, will we see more of the same from eirigi in the future?
Although meeting with the American Consulate is not the same as locking it down, there is a similar thread:
Prisoners' rights activists ask US to back campaign (http://www.irishnews.com/pageacc.asp?tser1=ser&sid=219258)
By Liz Trainor
AN ORGANISATION campaigning for the release of paramilitary prisoners took its case to the American consulate in Belfast yesterday.
21/11/97
Saoirse national chairman Eoghan Mac Cormaic described the meeting as a "big step forward" in the group's campaign to highlight the issue of prisoners both in the north and in England. The delegation, which included relatives of prisoners held in English jails as well as leading Saoirse figures, called on the consulate to back the release of prisoners as a confidence-building measure during the peace process. The delegation met Consul General Kathy Stevens and consulate officials for an hour-long meeting, tabling a series of issues including the case of Coalisland woman Roisin McAliskey, who yesterday spent a year in custody in England awaiting extradition to Germany on suspicion of bombing a British military base. Mr Mac Cormaic said the issue of freed paratrooper Lee Clegg, who is campaigning to clear his name for the murder of teenage joyrider Karen Reilly, demonstrated "the double standards of the British government" over the prisoners' issue. "We are continuing to step up our campaign and while the US administration played a major part in the construction of the peace process we believe the prisoners issue is still a major area of concern. "The prisoners have a major part to play in the peace process but to date there has been no movement over their plight," he said. Saoirse northern chairman Martin Meehan said the meeting demonstrated that the American administration was prepared to listen to its calls for the release of Irish prisoners. "We will continue with a series of peaceful protests to highlight the issue of prisoners who are still incarcerated in prisons here and in England where regimes are strict. "We are set to raise the issue further with a conference on November 30 which will be a launch-pad for the prisoners issue and during December the campaign will continue," he said. Saoirse, which has stepped up its campaign in recent months, believes that yesterday's meeting will pave the way for discussions with the Northern Ireland Office. But an official at the American consulate yesterday described the meeting with Saoirse as "utterly routine". "We have meetings with all sorts of community and political groups all the time. Groups seek appointments to put their case and we have meetings such as this on a daily basis."
Republicans disrupt authority's first meeting (http://www.irishnews.com/pageacc.asp?tser1=ser&sid=212554)
By Louise McCall
REPUBLICAN protesters briefly brought the first public meeting of the Police Authority in Belfast to a standstill last night.
02/12/97
More than 50 people who attended the meeting were greeted by around 30 protesters of the prisoners group Saoirse who picketed the Spires Conference Centre at Howard Street. The meeting - part of the authority's drive for openness and accountability launched last year - was briefly disrupted when the group broke away from the picket to voice their anger - stopping proceedings by authority chairman Pat Armstrong. The crowd shouted "Disband the RUC" while waving placards calling for the release of paramilitary prisoners. One man shouted to the authority delegates that there would be no peace in Northern Ireland unless republican prisoners were released. The meeting was adjourned for a few minutes while order was restored and the protesters continued their protest outside the conference centre. A Saoirse spokesman said: "The reason why the protest was staged was because the people who are meeting here tonight are the same people who put all the prisoners away. "We will continue to protest until all political prisoners are released." Undeterred, authority chairman Pat Armstrong continued his speech - listened to by around 50 people - followed by a question and answer session. The main topic of discussion was the poor image the RUC has among Catholics and Mr Armstrong said the body was trying to change this. "We are obliged through the legislation to consult all sections of the community in relation to policing, that is exactly what the Police Authority does through various channels," he said. Mr Armstrong told the conference that while 77 per cent of Catholics say they want change only 14 per cent want the RUC replaced. He promised that the authority would conduct further research to find out exactly what changes people wanted. "There are clear signals that the credibility of the RUC amongst Catholics and nationalists has suffered damage in the aftermath of Drumcree stand-off. "In the face of this evidence we cannot avoid the conclusion that support for the RUC in the minority community is heavily qualified. "Among unionists and loyalist there is also evidence of a desire for change. However, it is reassuring that there is still strong cross-community agreement about the type of police service which is needed: one which is impartial, professional, effective and accountable." Mr Armstrong said the key challenge of giving people in Northern Ireland a greater say on policing matters "would be given a new impetus with the introduction of local policing plan". Such a system, he added, has been operating successfully in England and Wales for the past three years. Mr Armstrong said the key challenge of giving local people a greater say in policing matter would be given new impetus with the introduction of a local policing plan.
Saoirse clocks up another protest (http://www.irishnews.com/pageacc.asp?tser1=ser&sid=215788)
By Seams McKinney
Derry Correspondent
11/12/97
A GROUP of Saoirse campaigners took over the clock tower of Derry's Guildhall and remained there for one hour yesterday afternoon to highlight their demands for the release of political prisoners. Posing as students carrying out a survey on clocks, four campaigners fooled Derry city council staff at the Guildhall before entering the clock tower. After unfurling a huge banner demanding the release of political prisoners, the activists remained in the tower for one hour before leaving as police arrived. As the RUC entered the Guildhall the four men, all aged in their late teens, left. Speaking outside the Guildhall one of the protesters said he assured Guildhall staff that there would be no trouble during the protest. Saoirse spokesman in Derry, Hugh McMonagle said yesterday's protest was one of a number of demonstrations planned for the city to mark December as prisoners' month. Mr McMonagle said Saoirse intended carrying out a number of "publicity stunts" to publicise the demand for the release of political prisoners throughout Ireland. "We want the prisoners' issue to be put high on the agenda," Mr McMonagle said. Saoirse also intends holding a major march through Derry on Friday evening in support of their demands. Marchers have been urged to gather at Free Derry Corner before parading through Rossville Street and Little James Street to the city's Guildhall for a rally. A Saoirse spokesman said the group chose the route for tomorrow's march to avoid any inconvenience to Christmas shoppers. Saoirse marches normally travelled through the city centre, he pointed out. "We are trying to highlight the prisoners' plight and do not want the parade to be seen as provocative. We want to focus on prisoners," the spokesman said. It is understood the Guildhall Square rally will be addressed by Sinn Fein chairman, Mitchel McLaughlin.
City protest brings flights to a standstill (http://www.irishnews.com/pageacc.asp?tser1=ser&sid=216473)
By Liz Trainor
A PROTEST staged by Saoirse supporters on the runway of Belfast city airport brought flights to a standstill yesterday morning.
13/12/97
Four protesters - including Lisburn councillor Ita Grey - were arrested by police after they scaled a high fence and began their protest on the airport's only runway. Waving placards and banners the supporters unfurled a banner demanding the repatriation of republican prisoners in English jails and the immediate release of all political prisoners from prisons in the north. An airport spokesman said that the RUC arrived on the scene shortly after the protest began. He confirmed that a number of flights had been delayed for a "short time." Saoirse, which vowed to step up its campaign of protests during December, said that the peace process could not succeed if the prisoners's issue remained unresolved. Saoirse spokesman Robert McClenaghan said the airport protest was specifically aimed at highlighting the plight of the remaining 22 republican prisoners held in English jails. "This is the litmus test. Twenty two years ago today the so-called Balcombe Street gang was imprisoned and they still have no release date. "There is no reason why the British government could not send all the prisoners back to Ireland on a plane." The Saoirse spokesman said that the prisoners's issue was central to any settlement with the government. "December is seen as prisoners's month and we aim to continue to highlight the issue through a series of peaceful protests." Meanwhile a Christmas musical extravaganza in Belfast city centre was disrupted on Thursday evening when a number of Saoirse supporters converged outside the city hall. Sinn Fein councillor Tom Hartley yesterday called for the release of those arrested at Belfast city airport. "I am calling for them to be immediately released and for an end to RUC harassment of those involved in peaceful protests."
Roisin McAliskey (http://www.irishnews.com/pageacc.asp?tser1=ser&sid=217191)
Campaigners take to roof
SAOIRSE campaigners scaled the roof of a Downpatrick RUC station sangar at the weekend to protest over the prisoners issue.
15/12/97
Four men, including Sinn Fein councillor Paddy McGreevy, used ladders to get onto the roof of the heavily fortified sangar on Saturday afternoon. The protesters draped banners across the windows of the look-out post calling for the release of Roisin McAliskey and her baby girl Loinnir. South Down Saoirse coordinator Paddy Fitzsimmons said it was the first time that the group had held a protest on the top of an RUC sangar. Mr Fitzsimmons said Saturday's stunt was one of a number of pickets which the group would be mounting in the forthcoming weeks designed to highlight the prisoners issue. "Today we chose to highlight the case of Roisin McAliskey who is facing a second Christmas with her child in custody despite not being charged with any offence. "The pivotal role of political prisoners dictates that the British government address this issue in a positive and constructive manner as an integral part of any overall resolution to the conflict in our island.' Police made no arrests at the Irish Street picket.
All of these are from the Irish News archives, links in headlines.
Comrade Ryan
06-18-2008, 10:04 AM
I don't expect that eirigi members will follow every protest carried out previously although I'm sure people will understand ding that which has proven successful not just here but globally, afterall not only were some in eirigi active in such protests before, but contrary to popular belief SF, Ogra and Saoirse did not invent occupations, banners, etc.
I don't expect that eirigi members will follow every protest carried out previously although I'm sure people will understand ding that which has proven successful not just here but globally, afterall not only were some in eirigi active in such protests before, but contrary to popular belief SF, Ogra and Saoirse did not invent occupations, banners, etc.
Of course they didn't, no one is saying that they did. It's just an interesting repeat. OSF missed an opportunity here, given it's their history. I don't expect eirigi to follow Saoirse's tactics 100% faithfully but given the average age of eirigi activists and their background it's not surprising that they are reviving them. I'd assume many eirigi people would have been involved in Saoirse's actions, or at least admired some of them.
Comrade Ryan
06-18-2008, 10:12 AM
Of course they didn't, no one is saying that they did. It's just an interesting repeat. OSF missed an opportunity here, given it's their history. I don't expect eirigi to follow Saoirse's tactics 100% faithfully but given the average age of eirigi activists and their background it's not surprising that they are reviving them. I'd assume many eirigi people would have been involved in Saoirse's actions, or at least admired some of them.
Thats possible.
But protest is a collective history not OSF's or anyone elses.
Its not surprising that eirigi activists will be to the fore of action, they always were and always will be.
But protest is a collective history not OSF's or anyone elses.
Yes but this specific protest right down to wearing the workman's gear is part of OSF's history as it was Sinn Fein Youth who did it first (or in 1997; has it been done since?). So it's a missed opportunity for them that they did not remember their own history.
Its not surprising that eirigi activists will be to the fore of action, they always were and always will be.
Whether it is in eirigi or something else down the line, given the history of some of those involved I would suspect you will be proven correct as time goes on, as it is in their nature.
RisenBelfast
06-18-2008, 10:37 AM
Similar protests indeed but the éirigi one refined the tactic being at a much greater height, carried out by accessing the actual building not climbing onto the porch with a ladder and removing the Union Jack which is something SF are still trying to do at present. Can't see O'Broin doing any of that now, certainly wouldn't appeal to the good folks of Dun Laoghaire.
Similar protests indeed but the éirigi one refined the tactic being at a much greater height,
Well as you are all older now I'd hope the plan would have been a little more refined. You've had 10+ years to polish it. ;)
carried out by accessing the actual building not climbing onto the porch with a ladder and removing the Union Jack which is something SF are still trying to do at present.
10 mins is 10 mins more than SF, true. :eusa_clap:
Can't see O'Broin doing any of that now, certainly wouldn't appeal to the good folks of Dun Laoghaire.
No, he was the first Mary Lou, wasn't he? Although does he not remain one of the more radical elements in the party?
undefeated
06-18-2008, 10:49 AM
As a point of interest not everyone who campaigned for Saoirse were Sinn Sein members or supporters. I and many friends and relatives campaigned throughout Ireland for all Republicans and none of us supported Sinn Fein. We supported all the Republican Prisoners not some.
RisenBelfast
06-18-2008, 10:55 AM
Well as you are all older now I'd hope the plan would have been a little more refined. You've had 10+ years to polish it. ;)
10 mins is 10 mins more than SF, true. :eusa_clap:
No, he was the first Mary Lou, wasn't he? Although does he not remain one of the more radical elements in the party?
No idea how radical O'Broin is, he writes the occassional lightening rod for AP. The idea he is one of those guys in a balaclava amuses me, I can't help but wonder did he do a Dennis Cunningham.
No idea how radical O'Broin is, he writes the occassional lightening rod for AP. The idea he is one of those guys in a balaclava amuses me, I can't help but wonder did he do a Dennis Cunningham.
O'Broin would be the token lefty of the party. Not as fat as Cunningham though.
RisenBelfast
06-18-2008, 12:06 PM
O'Broin would be the token lefty of the party. Not as fat as Cunningham though.
I know. That doesn't mean he is radical. Gibney used to fly kites too.
I know. That doesn't mean he is radical. Gibney used to fly kites too.
I think you missed the part where I was agreeing with you. I did not call him a kite-flyer because I think that is something different. Gibney and McLaughlin flew kites to test reaction and also send signals of where they were headed. O'Broin however draws reaction away from where they are headed; lightening rod as you described it first would be better. He takes the sting out of criticism by presenting the managed version; the same goes for his lefty politics, it gives SF the appearance of being more left than what they actually are, he is their veneer if you will.
I do however believe that his left politics are genuinely held, if misplaced or over-ridden by his survival instincts. :)
RisenBelfast
06-18-2008, 12:19 PM
I think you missed the part where I was agreeing with you. I did not call him a kite-flyer because I think that is something different. Gibney and McLaughlin flew kites to test reaction and also send signals of where they were headed. O'Broin however draws reaction away from where they are headed; lightening rod as you described it first would be better. He takes the sting out of criticism by presenting the managed version; the same goes for his lefty politics, it gives SF the appearance of being more left than what they actually are, he is their veneer if you will.
I do however believe that his left politics are genuinely held, if misplaced or over-ridden by his survival instincts. :)
I did enjoy the stop-start Left Republican magazine he ran and don't doubt his left wing beliefs but i wouldn't describe him as a survivalist more a party loyalist.
That's much nicer than careerist. ;)
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