Candidatitis: Pathway to Change

 

Candidatitis

I first published this article in 2007 and then, slightly amended in 2016, 2022 and last year’s local government elections in the North. There are four elections across the island within the next 5 weeks. So I thought this would be a good time to republish Candidatitis again, slightly amended once more.

It is my tribute to the majority of candidates who won’t get elected. Good luck to them all. Good luck especially to Sinn Féin’s candidates. I hope we have a great result. That’s all in the gift of the electorate. So I thank all the voters as well as all the candidates.

Opinion polls have become an integral part of every election campaign. Every newspaper and every broadcast outlet tries to second guess the electorate by commissioning polls. And then their columnists or pundits spend a huge amount of time analysing the poll they just commissioned.

So do many candidates. And their supporters. This can lead to mood changes and other character changing tendencies. This can be very stressful. So every candidate and everyone else should be mindful of the particular and peculiar stresses and strains that come with being a candidate. It’s a form of ailment called Candidatitis. It begins with the candidate coming to believe – with a certainty known only to the prophets of old – that they are going to win.

This syndrome is capable of moving even the most rational aspirant or shy wallflower into a state of extreme self belief. It strikes without warning, is no respecter of gender, and can infect the lowly municipal hopeful, the aspiring Parliamentarian, as well as the lofty presidential wannabe.

I believe this is due to two factors. First of all most people standing for election see little point in telling the voters that they are not going to win. That just wouldn’t make sense. Of course not. So they say they are going to win.

That's when Candidatitis starts. As the 'we are going to win' is repeated time and time again it starts to have a hypnotic effect on the person intoning the mantra.

Which brings me to the second factor.  Most people encourage Candidatitis.  Unintentionally. Not even the candidate’s best friend will say hold on, you haven't a chance. Except for the media. But no candidate believes the media. And most candidates are never interviewed by the media anyway.

So a victim of Candidatitis will take succour from any friendly word from any punter. Even a 'good luck' takes on new meaning and 'I won't forget ye' is akin to a full blooded endorsement.

So are we to pity sufferers of this ailment? Probably not.

They are mostly consenting adults, although some parties occasionally run conscripts. In the main these are staunch party people who are persuaded to run by more sinister elements who play on their loyalty and commitment. In some cases these reluctant candidates run on the understanding that they are not going to get elected. Their intervention, they are told, is to stop the vote going elsewhere or to maintain the party's representative share of the vote. In some cases this works. But in other cases, despite everything, our reluctant hero, or heroine, actually gets elected. A friend of mine was condemned to years on Belfast City council when his election campaign went horribly wrong. He topped the poll.

That’s another problem in elections based on proportional representation. Topping the poll is a must for some candidates. But in PR elections such ambition creates a headache for party managers. If the aim is to get a panel of party representatives elected they all have to come in fairly evenly. This requires meticulous negotiations to carve up constituencies. Implementing such arrangements make the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement look easy.

It means only placing posters and distributing leaflets in specific areas with clear instructions to the electorate on how we would like them to vote. In some elections I have noticed that some candidates (not Sinn Féin candidates folks) putting up posters in their colleagues territory. Not a good sign.

It requires an inordinate amount of discipline on the candidates' behalf not to fall into this trap. Many do. Some don’t. Some get really sneaky. Particularly, as the day of reckoning comes closer. Panic attacks and an allergy to losing can lead to some sufferers poaching a colleague's votes. This is a very painful condition leading to serious outbreaks of nastiness and reprisals and recriminations if detected before polling day. It usually cannot be treated and can have long term effects.

So dear readers all of this is by way of lifting the veil on these problems which infect our election contests. Politicians are a much maligned species. In some cases not without cause.

So the next time you look at a poster or get a leaflet through the letterbox or are confronted at your door by a wild eyed candidate – occasionally  accompanied by a posse of cameras – then take a more tolerant and benign view of the sometimes strange behaviour of those citizens who contest elections .

When you are accosted by a pamphlet waving candidate, as you shop in the supermarket or collect the children at school or are minding your own business as you walk down the main street, try to see beyond the brash exterior. If they get carried away with themselves it’s not really their fault you see. Big boys and big girls make them do it.

Most candidates are decent well meaning civic minded citizens.  It’s a pity some have awful politics. So your votes should not encourage them. They will have difficulties enough dealing with defeat as well as the outworking of Candidatitis But they will recover eventually.

If they get elected they or we may never recover. Please spare us from that.

 

Pathway to Change

Ireland’s Future has an event in the SSE Arena in Belfast on Saturday 15 June. Entitled – Pathway to Change –it has all the makings of a seminal moment in our discussions about the future. It will be the largest gathering by Ireland’s Future since its enormously successful ground breaking meeting in the 3 Arena in Dublin in October 2022.

Pathway to Change will bring together an impressive number of mainstream political and civic figures from across the island of Ireland to discuss their vision of the future of our island. The list of notable speakers includes Alliance leader Naomi Long, SDLP MP Claire Hanna, Uachtarán Shinn Féin Mary Lou McDonald, former Alliance leader John Alderdice, Social Democrat leader Holly Cairns, Trade Unionist Mick Lynch, Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik, Professor Brendan O’Leary, Claire Mitchel, GAA President Jarlath Burns , Leas Uachtarán Shinn Féin Michelle O’Neill, and veteran unionist and evangelical Protestant Wallace Thompson will join Davy Adams and other panel guests.

Wallace Thompson is a founding member of the DUP and in a recent interview on the BBC’s ‘The View’ said that some fellow unionists share his view that a united Ireland is “inevitable”. He conceded that the previous positions of “no surrender” and “Ulster says No” got unionism nowhere and added: “The Union is damaged by Brexit. I can’t see it being repaired. We’re in danger of rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic.”

Whatever our different opinions might be on future constitutional arrangements the reality is that it is imperative that all of us who seek democratic change engage in a positive and respectful dialogue with each other.

This means planning for Irish Unity. It is important that unionists are involved in shaping this. The unionist population and its political representatives need reassured that their cultural identity  will be protected in a new and independent Ireland.

It also means that the Irish government must stop running away from this issue and prepare for the unity referendums that are coming and plan for a successful outcome. The Irish government should establish a Citizen’s Assembly to begin this work of planning.

I commend Irelands Future for organising the SSE event. On 15 June I will join the thousands of others to listen and to learn. If you haven’t yet got your ticket yet then book now at the link below:

https://www.ticketmaster.ie/ireland-s-future-presents-pathway-to-change-belfast-15-06-2024/event/38005F42B36C13BC

 

Irish Unity makes economic sense: “We are running out of words to describe what is happening in Gaza.” United Nations: A Better World Is Needed.

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Irish Unity makes economic sense 

Last month a report by the Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA) caught the headlines with the claim that Irish Unity could cost the South up to €20 billion annually. The analysis was quickly challenged by other economists and last week those with different opinions had their opportunity to address the Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement.

Professor John Doyle of Dublin City University was joined by Seamus McGuinness a Research Professor at the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) and by Dr. Adele Bergin who is also an Associate Research Professor at the ESRI.

Professor Doyle told the Committee that the IIEA report “is wildly inaccurate as the report contained significant errors and is based entirely on unreasonable assumptions. Consequently the figures report not just the worst case scenario but they are completely wrong.” He estimated that the initial cost to the South would be in the region of €2.5bn a year. That is 2 percent of the current annual general government expenditure.

John Doyle said that the IIEA report assumed that public service salaries in the North would be immediately increased to levels in the South in the first year. “This is unrealistic and unnecessary… Convergence will happen over time and will involve negotiations with public sector trade unions. Merging salary levels over 15 years – half the time taken by Germany, would mean a cost of approximately €133m (£96.3m) in year one, rising on average by that amount each year."

Professor Doyle also told the Committee that the IIEA study excluded any analysis of economic growth following unity. He said, “It assumes that with the same political system, EU membership, policy framework, education system and tax regime, that NI would not economically converge with the South. This is a very unlikely outcome. Why would Belfast perform so much worse than Cork and Kerry with the same EU access, policies, education and tax system?”

He also pointed out that the IIEA paper took no account of the additional taxes that would be raised from public sector workers.

Professor Séamus McGuinness and Dr Adele Burgin from the ESRI made it clear that cost is not a barrier to Irish Unity. Irish Unity can be an economic opportunity North and South. What is needed is proper planning. The onus to lead that planning is with the government and the Oireachtas but should involve experts, civil society and the public as a whole.

The Dublin government should establish a cross-party Oireachtas committee empowered to produce a Green Paper. Such a Green Paper would research all of the key issues crucial to a future prosperous united Ireland. This would provide much needed information about what a future united Ireland could look like and how it would work.

“We are running out of words to describe what is happening in Gaza.” United Nations

Tuesday was a special day. For the first time the Palestinian flag flew over Leinster House in Dublin following the announcement by the government to formally recognise the State of Palestine. Tuesday’s move was the next step in a process that will see the Palestinian Mission in Dublin upgraded to an Embassy. The representative office of the Irish government in Ramallah will be re-designated as an Embassy and its representative there will become an Ambassador.

The Israeli government response to the decision by the Irish state, Norway and Spain was to parade their three ambassadors in front of the Israeli media while forcing them to watch an Israeli film about October 7. Other Israeli Ministers also strongly rebuked the three governments accusing them of aiding Hamas.

The reality of course is that Israel’s war aim of destroying Hamas has failed. It was never achievable. What is needed is a peace process. And ceasefires to facilitate this. 

Why has Israel reacted so vehemently to the recognition decision? Because it knows that the symbolism is hugely significant. It will provide more diplomatic and international avenues to the Palestinian people to hold Israel to account for its actions and it reinforces the very real sense of international isolation that the Netanyahu government is experiencing at this time. The decision by the Irish state, Norway and Spain means that 146 United Nations member states out of 193 recognise the state of Palestine. Seven European Union members have already taken this step - Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden and Cyprus. With Spain and the Irish state joining this list that means that one third of the EU states now formally recognise Palestinian statehood. Every effort must be made, especially after the EU elections in June to get  EU institutions to recognise Palestine.

As the Netanyahu government comes under increasing criticism the decision by the International Criminal Court to seek arrest warrants for potential war crimes for Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, in addition to three Hamas leaders, has added to Israel’s isolation. In addition, the United Nations International Court of Justice last week ordered Israel to “immediately” halt its assault on Rafah. Predictably Israel described the ICJ order as ‘false, outrageous and disgusting.’

Since then the Israeli assault on Rafah and other parts of the Gaza strip has continued. On Sunday Israel bombed a tent city burning children and women alive. A bleak, desperate picture of the situation was given in a briefing to the UN Security Council by Edem Wosornu, of the Office of the UN for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). She said: “To be frank, we are running out of words to describe what is happening in Gaza. We have described it as a catastrophe, a nightmare, as hell on earth. It is all of these, and worse.”

The next short term steps are clear. The UN Secretary General António Guterres has confirmed that ICJ decisions are binding. The Irish government must now use its international diplomatic services to secure support for a resolution at the UN which demands an end to Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza; the release of all hostages – including the 6,000 held by Israel – and immediate humanitarian access for the mountain of aid that Israel has blocked from Gaza. It also needs to demand that the EU institutions recognise the Palestinian state.

 

A Better World Is Needed. 

For decades now I have argued that the big central international struggle of our time is for people to have democratic control over the decisions which affect their lives. The absence of this basic right underpins conflict in the Middle East and Ukraine and other parts of the world.  It poisons relations between Ireland and Britain and within Ireland although thankfully we have a process for dealing with that. Painfully slow though it is, it is better than war. And such an approach is clearly required in the Middle East and between Russia and Ukraine.  That is what the United Nations should be advocating. 

 

That means taking a stand for the emancipation of humankind from all objectionable political bonds imposed from outside. Self determination is our starting point. That means independence of nations, starting with our own.  

Despite Ireland’s historical neutrality, the Irish government has incrementally moved to supporting the ‘security’ agenda of the world’s bigger powers. That is why we need to enshrine a policy of positive neutrality in the Irish Constitution. We should not join or form any association with any military alliance and we should oppose the militarisation of the European Union.

 

The United Nations needs reformed. It needs to be more democratic, particularly the composition of the Security Council. Proper weight must be given to the majority of the world’s people. They want peace. They want an end to war everywhere. They want an end to world hunger. They want everyone to have access to food, clean water, and an end to deaths from treatable illnesses. They want an end to global warming and a focus on measures to protect and enhance a clean healthy environment. 

 

So international security needs to shift from a purely militaristic agenda, which attacks democratic rights and civil liberties. A security agenda which is based on repression and the promotion of conservative right wing economic models favoured by the global elites is not going to deliver true global security.

 

A better world is possible. It is also needed. For all our local distractions we need never to lose sight of that. 

 

Immigrants are not the enemy: Recognise the State of Palestine: The Bluebells are Back

Immigrants are not the enemy. 

Divide and conquer is an age old tactic. It is often utilised by conservative elements to advance their regressive agendas. This is true of the Irish as it is of any other nation. In fact historically some Irish people have acted against the interests of Ireland and supported imperialistic and other colonial or domestic adventurers.  Nonetheless the vast majority of Irish people are fair minded, decent and progressive. 

At this time conservative and right wing elements are exploiting the issue of asylum seekers and immigrants or race to advance their own agenda. They deliberately heighten the mistaken belief by some that ‘outsiders’ are responsible for too few jobs, low wages, or a lack of housing, All of the ills of society are blamed on these ‘others’ who are of a different ethnicity or race or religion, colour or language or customs. Northern society suffers to this day from divisions supposedly based on religious belief. Nowadays however many have come to understand that this is false. It is sectarianism pure and simple, created and sustained to divide. So too with racism. Not everyone concerned about immigrants is a racist.  But their fears are being whipped up by those who are. 

The reality of course is that it is governments that have responsibility for managing their societies and economies. If there are not enough homes it is because the government is not planning for or building them. It is not the fault of immigrants. But if there is a housing shortage and there is and immigrants are being accommodated - even in tents, it is easier to pick on them. 

Today the right wing is at it again. Lies are being told and they are being aided in this by the incompetence of a bad government in Dublin.  A lack of planning or consultation with local communities and a failure to invest adequate resources in communities affected has provided the right wing with the opportunity to raise tensions and fears. The government’s immigration policy can best be described as shambolic. It is not fit for purpose.

In recent weeks the Minister for Justice claimed that 80% of those applying for asylum in the South are coming from Britain via the North. She has no evidence, no statistics, no data to support this claim but the result is that the right wing and some of its allies in the political system and media demand that the border be re-imposed and checkpoints established.

Add this to the lack of planning; the chaotic and very public mess by government of finding hotels or other accommodation. The recent removal of tents in Dublin - and let’s not forget that is how the Traveller community has been treated for decades - is a disgrace. 

What is needed is an immigration policy that is rooted in the human values of compassion, fairness  and friendship. 

As Mary Lou McDonald told the Oireachtas last week: “That means an immigration system that is fair, efficient and enforced, and a system with common sense that safeguards social cohesion and protects human rights. Both can be done effectively in parallel.”

The reality is that public services North and South would collapse if it were not for the many immigrants who have travelled to the island of Ireland in recent years. Our hospitals, nursing homes, schools, transport system, retail sector and much more would crumple without the new Irish. And they all pay their taxes and contribute to the well being of our society. Just like we Irish do in other parts of the world. 

According to Migrant Rights Ireland:

·        The South is in the top ten of states whose nationals emigrate to work.

·        It has the second highest proportion of its population living in other countries of the EU.

·        International studies show that it will need migrant workers to support an increasingly dependent population.

·        The majority of migrant workers are of working age and contribute more to the economy in taxes and PRSI than they receive in public services or social welfare.

·        It has been estimated that migrants contribute €3.7 billion to the economy annually through taxes and PRSI, work permit fees, immigration registration fees, higher education fees and personal consumption.

·        Migrant workers and their families contribute to society and their local communities.

In addition a report from the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) several years ago found that migrants help increase economic growth, ease labour market shortages, improve output and contribute to reducing earnings inequality. And Róisín Fitzpatrick, of Deloitte Ireland said in 2022 of the impact of the pandemic: “The foreign nationals who have taken up the healthcare assistant roles in nursing homes and care facilities since July 2021 have allowed us to support and care for those most vulnerable in Irish society.”

So, we need a fair and responsible, human rights compliant immigration system. Immigrants are not the enemy but those who promote hatred and division certainly are. 

There was a time when it was the Irish, fleeing hunger, poverty and the repression and exploitation of British colonialism, who were marginalised, denigrated and depicted as thuggish and ape-like. The diaspora that escaped to Britain, the USA and elsewhere across the globe, especially after the great hunger, were treated dreadfully in their new countries. We should never allow ourselves to do on to others what was done on to us. 

 

Recognise the State of Palestine

Sinn Féin’s National Party Chairperson Declan Kearney MLA was in South Africa at the weekend where he spoke at the ‘Global Anti-Apartheid Conference on Palestine.’  The conference was attended by Palestinian groups. While there Declan met with South Africa’s foreign minister and ANC MP Naledi Pandor who has led the international condemnation of the Israeli state’s genocidal war against the Palestinian people. Declan also told Minister Pandor that Sinn Féin fully supports South Africa’s courageous case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.

Sinn Féin has had a close relationship with the African National Congress going back many decades and we each have a long history of international solidarity, particularly in support of the right of the Palestinian people to national self determination.

Also at the weekend the assault by the Netanyahu government on Rafah has forced hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to again tread the refugee path in their own place. Over 35,000 Gazans, including 15,000 children, have now been killed with many more bodies still under the rubble. Western governments, led by the US and Britain, have refused to demand an immediate and permanent cessation, the release of all hostages (over 6,000 are held by Israel) and unrestricted humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza.

In the midst of this carnage the United Nations General Assembly last week took the important step of voting in favour of granting "new rights and privileges" to the state of Palestine, creating a path toward full UN-member status. Almost 150 countries voted in favour of upgrading Palestine's status, with nine voting against and 25 abstentions. The resolution also calls on the Security Council to reconsider the request for Palestine to become the 194th member of the United Nations.  When this last came before the Security Council in April it was vetoed by the United States.

Finally, in what could be a historic decision the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell appeared to confirm Irish media reports that Ireland, Spain and other like-minded EU member states could formally recognise the State of Palestine on 21 May. It should no longer be conditional. It is long overdue especially for Ireland. The Irish government must take this vitally important step and do what the Oireachtas voted for ten years ago. 

 

The Bluebells are Back

Comhgairdheas to all of those involved in the planning of Féile na gCloigíni Gorma – the Bluebell Festival 2024. This is the eighth year of this wonderful event in Belfast’s Upper Springfield/Ballymurphy area. Féile includes mountain walks and talks and poetry and music. 

The Festival will honour the dedication of visionary community activist Seán Mac Goill whose name adorns the local Glór na Móna centre. Several weeks ago following his death I wrote about Seán.  He was one of a band of activists who was centrally involved in the growth and development of the Irish language in Belfast. The festival itself is a celebration of life and nature and of the contribution of the Black Mountain in the lives of the people of the Upper Springfield.

It is on until this Saturday and a programme of the events can be found here: https://www.glornamona.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/FNAG_2024_Digital-2.pdf

Solidarity to Student Protesters: Captive Columns – an untold account of prison life: Rights in a New Ireland

 

Solidarity to Student Protesters

In the late 1960s the major national and international issues of the day that helped shape my politics were the anti-Vietnam War movement, the anti-apartheid struggle against the racist South African government and the civil rights movement in the North.  In all three the activism of students was central to raising public awareness and opposition to injustice.

Today students are again at the heart of an ant-war movement. In the USA students at over 100 university campuses have taken a stand against the genocidal war of the Israeli government against the Palestinian people. In scenes reminiscent of anti-war demonstrations almost 60 years ago the images of riot-clad and armed police brutally arresting over 2,000 students, college professors and academics on US campuses has shocked many. Film footage and photographs from 4 May 1970 of the shooting dead of four students at Ohio Kent State University have been replayed again and again on social media as anti-war supporters express their opposition to what is now taking place in the USA.

In Britain and Ireland and in parts of Europe, as well as in Canada, Australia and other states similar protests are now taking place at Universities, including Trinity College in Dublin.

The demands of the students are simple – a permanent end to the war, the release of all hostages – including the 6,000 held by Israel – and for universities to disinvest from Israel. Well done and thank you to all of those students taking part in these peaceful, non-violent protests.

 

Captive Columns – an untold account of prison life

Cumann na Meirleach Poblachtach Éireannach/ The Irish Republican Felons Association celebrated its 60^th birthday last weekend.

The first part of last Friday evening’s celebrations was given over to Danny Morrison who hosted two conversations. The first was with Síle Darragh and Mary Doyle and focussed on their experience in Armagh Women’s Prison. The second was with Colm Scullion, Jackie McMullan, and Jazz McCann. This centred on Bobby Sands, Joe McDonnell and Kieran Doherty who they knew well in the H-Blocks. The discussions were insightful, informative and inspiring.

Afterward I was asked to introduce my good friend Gino aka Eoghan Mac Cormac who has just published a new book ‘Captive Columns – an underground Prison Press 1865-2000’.

In all my dealings with Gino he has been very positive, cheerful and funny. He is also very clever. Especially with words í nGaeilge agus Bearla. From cross word puzzles in the H-Blocks, to regular contributions to our Irish Unity magazine Éire Nua – to designing republican jigsaws to his recent books of poetry and prose. He is the author of Cáibín an Phápa – a novel written during his final years in prison and Pluid which both won Oireachtas prizes. On the Blanket, Macallaí Cillín, the Pen behind the Wire, Gael agus Géibheann have also been published and now he has delivered ‘Captive Columns – an underground prison press 1865-2000’.

This new book published by Greenisland Press tells the extraordinary story of how republican prisoners, held in the most dire of conditions, succeeded in circumventing the prison regimes to produce news-sheets and newspapers. Beginning in 1865 Gino has identified over 60 such publications. Sometimes they were single pages, single editions and whimsical productions. On other occasions these journals were thirty to forty pages in length. Some were in English and others in Irish and occasionally they had illustrations. They were all subject to the challenges of prison life – some found during searches – others subject to censorship, sudden transfers and sometimes execution. That any survived at all is remarkable and often down to the clever ways in which copies were smuggled out of the prisons.

From the mid 19^th century through to the H-Blocks and Armagh in our own time toilet paper and prison prayer books have been the stable source of most of these publications. In the 1970s/80’s and 90’s cigarette papers were widely used.

But in his detailed research Gino brings us back to a young Cork Fenian John Sarsfield Casey who was transported to Australia in 1867. He had already spent more than two years in prisons in Cork, Mountjoy and later in Pentonville in Britain. In the latter the prison regime employed a separation and silent system turning Pentonville into a huge silent tomb where communication between prisoners was forbidden. Circular cages or rectangles were constructed in the exercise yards and for 45 minutes each day the prisoner could walk without seeing another prisoner.

Casey later wrote; “plotting was the natural consequence of the isolation we were detained in – necessity the mother of invention…Each prisoner is furnished weekly with a supply of brown tissue paper for WC purposes. Letters and words might be formed by pricking the paper with a needle and holding it between you and the light; the words then became quite intelligible.”

This was the just the beginning of a sophisticated system involving republican prisoners recording their thoughts on scraps of paper and sharing them with comrades.

Gino’s book records the evolution of this process over 135 years through the Fenian prisoners held in English jails to the Tan War and Civil War, the 1930s, 40’s and 50s and then into our own period of prison struggle beginning in 1969. It is an amazing story of human endeavour - of men and women overcoming adversity.

It is very fitting that Gino dedicated Captive Columns to Brian Campbell another great writer, editor of Scairt Amach, the Captive Voice and An Phoblacht. I also want to reference Jazz McCann who separately from Gino wrote a book – ‘6,000 Days’ – which like Gino’s ‘On the Blanket’ details the brutality of the prison regime and the courage of the blanket men during that protest. It is a matter of wonderment to me that Jazz and Gino produced two very different accounts of unique, moving and evocative reflections and memories of a shared time in the same wing, at the same time. Both books are compelling and accessible story telling.

For me these two books exemplify the power of the imagination and memory and of the written word and the personal and individual understanding of events, personalities and personal experiences which are unique to the H Block Blanket protests. So too with Laurence McKeown’s ‘Time Shadows.’ There are other books about the Block. Armagh women like Síle Darragh and produced their accounts also and that is important.

‘Captive Columns’ is a work of important and detailed research and scholarship of the highest order. It and the other books I have mentioned are available in An Fhuiseog 55 Falls Road, BT12 4PD www.thelarkstone.ie; and online at www.sinnfeinbookshop.com

 

Rights in a New Ireland

Last week the British government’s Legacy Act took effect and a group of international human rights experts published a major report accusing the British state of operating a “systematic” practice of impunity to protect state forces. In the same week people interested in human rights packed into St Comgall’s – Ionad Eileen Howell. The Conference was organised by Sinn Féin’s Commission on the Future of Ireland.

The impressive panel was chaired by Ailbhe Smyth, campaigner and activist and included Dr Shannonbrooke Murphy Associate Professor in Human Rights at St Thomas University in Canada; Colin Harvey, Professor of Human Rights Law in the School of Law, Queen’s University and Daniel Holder, Director of the Committee on the Administration of Justice.

The contribution of panellists and audience members clearly identified the need to put in place strategies that promote understanding. These must include a robust, internationally compliant human rights system of laws and governance that incorporate rights, freedoms and responsibilities; that guarantee civil and political rights; democratic, social, economic and cultural rights; children’s rights; language and cultural rights; environmental and developmental rights.

The Tories have spent 13 years eroding the protections of the Good Friday Agreement. As a result there is No Bill of Rights; No Civic Forum in the North; No all-Ireland Civic Forum; No North-South Committee of the two human rights commissions and No all-Ireland Charter of Rights. Clearly, there are many challenges ahead to undo these decisions. Be part of this conversation. Reach out to others. The people of this island deserve a citizen centred, rights based society. London won’t give us this. Self-determination will if those of us who want real change plan for it. That is what last week’s conference was about. Be part of it. 

A video of the conference is available at https://youtu.be/wT4lj94yHjE

 

 

 

A successful conference in support of Moore St: Mass graves an act of barbarism

 

A successful conference in support of Moore St.

Last week The Moore Street Preservation Trust and Uachtarán Shinn Féin Mary Lou McDonald organised a conference to support the development of a Historical 1916 Cultural Quarter in Dublin City centre with Moore Street at its heart.

The conference was uniquely held in the GPO in Dublin on 24 April, the date on which the Rising commenced in 1916. It was from that location at the end of Easter Week that several hundred Volunteers, led by five of the leaders, evacuated the burning GPO to Moore St. This area is at the heart of our fight for freedom. 16 Moore Street was the last HQ of the 1916 government of the Irish Republic.

It was in the buildings, streets and laneways surrounding Moore Street that the Irish Republic was born and where it was defended for six days by heroic patriots who believed in a better future.

The packed meeting of business and retail people, local traders and Save Moore St activists, as well as Relatives of the 1916 leaders heard contributions from a range of speakers including Seán Antóin Ó Muirí the architect who designed the alternative plan for the Moore St. Preservation Trust. Seán’s presentation gave us a sense of what is possible. 

Uachtarán Shinn Féin Mary Lou McDonald who hosted the event in association with the Moore St. Preservation Trust, spoke of the ‘ambitious vision’ that the Relatives and the Trust have for Moore St. She said: “The Master Plan presented by the Moore Street Preservation Trust is a plan that weaves together much needed housing, retail, and cultural experiences throughout the historical quarter. It’s framed by the idea of the ‘economic of uniqueness’ whereby city centre cores are revitalised through investment in the unique historical and cultural characteristics of a city to create compelling experiences.

This modern approach is driving the regeneration of city centres across the world - creating jobs, delivering new opportunities, fostering social progress and empowerment, and growing local economies and tourism sectors in a resilient and sustainable way. This is what Dublin needs, and it’s all possible, all achievable.”

The opening contribution was by Liz Gillis historian and James Connolly Heron, great grandson of James Connolly. The two spoke of the importance of Moore St and cited the campaign to save Kilmainham Jail. Over the centuries that prison held hundreds of republican prisoners through a succession of rebellions. It was there in May 1916 that 14 of the leaders, including the five who had been in Moore St, were executed by British firing squads. In the 1930s there were plans to demolish the building which remained empty and derelict until the establishment of the Kilmainham Gaol Restoration Committee in 1958. Hundreds of volunteer workers persevered for years following 1960 to replace the roof and protect the buildings. If it had been left to the government Kilmainham Prison would have deteriorated beyond repair. Today it is the second most popular visitor attraction on the island of Ireland and is among the top ten museums in the world.

For Liz Gillis and James Connolly Heron the lesson of Kilmainham is especially pertinent to Moore St.

Professor Terry Stevens is an international tourism expert who works with the United Nations in destination development. In his contribution he described Moore St as a “unique and remarkable” project that can “deliver something very special to the story of Ireland and to Dublin” and can “enhance the overall appeal of your capital city.”

It was a point made time and again in the course of the conference by local and international contributors.

Paddy Cullivan is a musician, presenter, historian, comedian and all round entertainer whose successful one man shows on historical characters like Michael Collins and Wolfe Tone are funny, insightful and reveal much about our history that others have sought to revise and hide.

With the use of photographs he reminded us of the many iconic buildings – Carlow Jail, Kilkenny Workhouse, Frascati House - and other locations from our past that have been swept away by developers and planners to be replaced mostly by shopping centres and hotels. He reminded us that the greed of some has destroyed important parts of our important  historical infrastructure.

Clearly the people of Dublin and Ireland will be better served  by Seán Antóin Ó Muirí’s proposal and plan for Moore Street than the developers proposal to demolish this battle field site. If properly developed this unique initiative will generate jobs and income alongside a sense of pride and respect for the men and women of 1916.

Michael Murphy is an architectural designer, educator and writer. He designed the National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery Alabama which includes the National Lynching Memorial. It is a striking monument which commemorates a dark time in US history but which has also significantly contributed to the economic regeneration of Montgomery. Michael flew in from Boston to support The Trust’s plan. 

Others who contributed to a very successful day were Stephen Troy a fifth generation butcher on Moore St, Harry Connolly from Fáilte Feirste Thiar, Caroline Alwright a fourth generation market stall owner and Jean McCabe of Retail Excellence Ireland.

All in all it was a hugely informative day. The choir from Gaelscoil Coláiste Mhuire sang a rousing version of ‘Óró, sé do bheatha abhaile’ and Uachtarán Mary Lou McDonald called on the government to “withdraw its backing for the Hammerson plan and instead throw its weight fully behind the vision for Moore Street as set out by the Moore Street Preservation Trust. It should also progress and action the Ceathrú Chultúir 1916 Bill drafted by Aengus Ó Snodaigh and passed unanimously by the Dáil in 2021.”

Her comments were echoed by James Connolly Heron and the Relatives of the Signatories who attended the conference and by the Preservation Trust. In a statement at the end of the conference and in a letter to An Taoiseach Simon Harris, James Connolly Heron advocated the alternative plan, and asked for a meeting with Mr. Harris “to present the alternative plan to you in person at the earliest opportunity. We believe that a meeting with you to discuss this alternative vision for Dublin Central will be of benefit in progressing a plan that will have the support of all interested parties.”

It’s now over to An Taoiseach.

 

Mass graves an act of barbarism

At the weekend Leas Uachtarán Michelle O’Neill was in London to address a massive pro-Palestinian march. She described what is happening in Gaza as the “gravest human rights violation of our time.” Michelle called for "an immediate, unconditional and complete ceasefire. We need to see an end to genocide, ethnic cleansing, and collective punishment. All hostages should be released immediately and all aid for Gaza must be delivered immediately, and Israeli forces must withdraw from Gaza and the West Bank.”

Her call follows on the devastating reports that mass graves have been found at two hospitals, Nasser and al-Shifa in the Gaza Strip containing the bodies of 400 women, children and the elderly, as well as doctors and nurses. Many had their hands tied and some were buried alive. They were all executed by the Israeli military.

The Falls

I love photographs. Especially old photos.  Particularly black and white ones. Bill Kirk  is a veteran photographer. The Falls is his  most recent collection, some twenty years after Images of Belfast. It captures a time and a neighbourhood which has gone.  As Robin Livingstone in the Foreword says, ‘It is a vital and compelling historical archive, describing in rich detail the people and places where the latest conflict in the shared and troubled history of Ireland and Britain took place.’

Well done Bill Kirk and Frankie Quinn, Director of the Belfast Archive Project. I really enjoyed trawling through Bill’s images, spotting old friends and associates as well as places where I spent my childhood. I wholeheartedly recommend THE FALLS. 

 THE FALLS is availible from An Fhuiseoig, Falls Road.