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4 December 1997 Edition

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Rebirth of a community

By Mairtin Og O'Floinn.

At the end of the M1 Motorway, nestled beside the Bog Meadows, sits the Republican St James's area of West Belfast. Its 20 small streets have come through much in the past 30 years with hardly a house remaining untouched by the hand of conflict.

Its proximity to the Loyalist Village area has led to it being the target of murder gangs. In1972 loyalists supported by the British Army launched an assault on the area; they were only repelled by determined counteraction by the IRA.

Over the years, many residents have been lost as a result of British guns. Sadie Larmour, aged 44, was shot dead in October 1979 as she sat in her home. Teenager Daniel Rooney shot dead in September by undercover troops in a passing car as he stood with friends. IRA Volunteer James ``Skipper'' Burns, was murdered as he slept in his Rodney Drive home. Community stalwart Paddy Brady was killed in 1984.

Despite the pain the people have always displayed the fortitude of the risen people.

A welter of community groups and residents associations has sprung up. One, ``Síle Na Gig'', grew out of the Peace Action Monitor committees which were formed after the 1994 IRA cessation. The group takes its name from a goddess in Irish mythology who symbolises strength and endurance. It is clear that the people of St James's have plenty of both.

``At first, we organised around issues such as the release of prisoners,'' Gráinne Brownlee said, ``but we soon saw the need for an effective campaign group with drive and direction.''

Briege Norney expands, ``we have been involved in many campaigns such as Saoirse and the campaign to keep open the Royal Maternity. We have organised historical trips to the famine museum in Strokestown. We have painted celtic murals, produced banners, news-sheets and even Irish language classes for beginners, all with the aim of providing an avenue to assert our identity and encourage and foster the improvement of our area.''

One of the group's greatest achievements to date was the staging of the play ``Thompson in Tír Na nOg'' about the Irish having their language stolen by the British. Local children, all under the age of fourteen, some as young as five, made up the cast.

Social deprivation and a chronic lack of local facilities were considered the norm and for many years the area's only real local amenity was a corner shop whose proprietor, Larry Murchan was murdered by loyalists in September 1991 who accused him of stocking An Phoblacht.

Then the greater St James's Forum, consisting of groups from the wider area, was established to address the needs of the area. Síle Na Gig, the Rock Residents Association, the St James's Residents Association, the Upper Donegal Road Parent and Youth Group and the Aran Women's Group are among its members.

The Forum has already made a massive impact on the area.

The people of St. James's should be immensely proud of their achievements over the past thirty years and they should always remember that the only way on, is up.

 


The 25th anniversary of the St James's Martyrs' Commemoration Committee was marked by a well attended function in the Felons on Sunday 30 November. Veteran republican Brian Keenan mixed his talk with the political and spectacular with the very ordinary and humble as he recalled the highs and lows of the struggle. He was at pains to let the many young people in attendance know about the calibre of men like Billy Shannon, Jimmy Burns and Bobby Fitzsimmons, who kept the movement alive in St James's through very difficult times. Everyone's thoughts were also with those dozen men from the area who are currently incarcerated in British jails and the eleven friends, neighbours and comrades whose names are inscribed on the plaque on St James's Road. The night was especially dedicated to the memory of former IRA Volunteer Seamus ``Ardglass'' Fitzsimmons who passed away this year.

An Phoblacht
44 Parnell Sq.
Dublin 1
Ireland