6 July 2006 Edition

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Mála Poist

Join Ógra Shinn Féin

A chara,

A new Ógra Shinn Fein group has been established in Castlederg recently. The James 'Josie' Connolly Cumann in the town have been the third cumann in the North to form in the last month.

Ógra Shinn Féin is the largest growing youth movement in Ireland. Our membership stretches from the fields of Kerry to the streets of Derry. We are committed to the establishment of a 32 County democratic, socialist republic in line with the proclamation of 1916. We are young Irish republicans who campaign for national independence and socialism.

Ógra Shinn Féin campaigns actively on and supports:

• The reunification of our country

• The creation and implementation of an All Ireland strategy on suicide prevention.

• Lowering car insurance

• Dismantling the British war machine in Ireland.

• The right for Irish citizens in the Six Counties to vote in Irish Presidential elections.

• The abolition of student fees

• Anti-imperialism and anti-globalisation

• The creation of a new police service, not a cosmetically altered RUC.

If you are a young republican dedicated to seeing revolutionary change in Ireland join Ógra Shinn Féin. We are actively recruiting new members in the Castlederg area. If you are interested in joining you can get in contact by email at [email protected] or alternatively at [email protected]

As Bobby Sands said in 1981 "Everyone republican or otherwise has their own particular role to play no job is too big or too small no one is too old or too young".

Is Mise,

Eunan Carlin,

James 'Josie' Connolly Cumann, Ógra Shinn Féin, Castlederg, County Tyrone.

Terminology

A chara,

We would like to address the issue of terminology which one would think would be second nature to all Irish republicans. Each year the Ard Fhéis clár contains motions on the issue, which are accepted a lot of the time but rarely implemented, but that's for another day.

We have been continually frustrated by basic errors which we believe are unacceptable, and would hope that by highlighting the issue it will stir some debate in Cumainn.

Words like 'Dáil Eireann, Northern Ireland, War of Independence' are starting too appear more often in terminology used by our membership. One blatant example is seen on our party's on-line bookshop, which contains a picture of 'A War of Independence flying column'. Initially, we believed it may be a mistake and would be corrected but three weeks later our 'War of Independence' picture remains. More alarmingly perhaps, is the fact that on a number of occasions some members of our Southern leadership have uttered those dreaded words also. We don't think any republican needs reminding that the terminology 'War of Independence' is not used by republicans as that period of conflict did not achieve complete independence which is why we refer it as the'Tan War'.

Using such terminology as those listed above defeats everything that we have fought and are fighting for. We cannot stress strongly enough that activists need to be aware of this and new members of the party need to be briefed on what is and what isn't acceptable terminology wise.

Comrades the old adage 'think before you speak' comes to mind.

Is Sinne,

Cumann Niall 'Plunceid' O'Baoighill, Na Rosa, Tir Chonaill.

The Case of Captain Kelly

A chara,

The launch of a campaign by Sheila Kelly, ully knock a few so-called paragons of virtue off their self-made pedestals.

Make no bones about it the arms trial is a pivotal moment in the history of the conflict on this island. It is an event filled with duplicity and lies and informed by a very sinister agenda.

Is mise,

Sean O'Reilly,

Cavan Town.

Bob Doyle and the Spanish Civil War

A chara,

The recent death of Michael O'Riordan, the Spanish Civil War veteran and stalwart of socialism, has sadly left only one remaining survivor from that conflict which was the precursor to World War two. Used as a dry run by the fascist forces of Europe thousands of young volunteers travelled from all over Europe and further afield to fight the fascist menace.

One of 320 Irish volunteers who fought in the conflict was Bob Doyle. Born in 1916 Bob recalls in a newly published book, a life of object poverty dominated by the clergy. This poverty-filled youth led him to embrace left wing politics leading him to join the IRA, Republican Congress and the Communist Party.

By the mid 1930's he was becoming aware of the fascist aggression in Spain aimed at overthrowing the socialist and democratically elected government so it wasn't a difficult decision for him to go to Spain.

Captured by fascist forces shortly afterwards, one of the people he was held with was Frank Ryan, a familiar face as he had been fighting with him in Dublin against the Blueshirts.

After gross mistreatment he was eventually returned to Ireland and although it pained him he felt he had no choice but to join the British army to fight the rising tide of fascism.

Bob's book, Brigadista. An Irishman's Fight against Fascism is on sale now published by Curate Press. Written by the last surviving member of the Irish International Brigade it is an invaluable historical document.

Is mise,

Edward Ryan,

Ballina, Co Mayo.


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