McDowell's myths challenged

Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD

Speaking at Easter commemorations in Dublin at the weekend, Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh responded to recent attacks on Sinn Féin by Justice Minister Michael McDowell.

McDowell had claimed that Sinn Féin and the IRA were not real republicans like those who died in 1916.

Responding, Ó Snodaigh said the similarities and connections with that turbulent period of 1916 and the 1920s and the last 35 years of conflict are many: "War between Irish republicans and British Army of its proxy paramilitary police forces, prison struggles, electoral contest and the rapid growth of republicanism. There was also the demonising by lackey Irish establishment politicians similar to Minister for injustice Michael McDowell's outpourings of late.

"On RTÉ Radio he regaled us with how republican he was, his family connections with 1916 and with the exploits of his grandfather, Eoin MacNeill. He went on to say that in those days the IRA didn't do this and didn't do that. I'm sorry Minister McDowell to burst your bubble. The IRA in the 'Good Old Days' were just as active in every aspect of war as they were in the last 35 years.

"As for republicanism, if Michael McDowell thinks that Irish republicanism has any connection with his vision of society and the nation, he is wrong. His ideals are an anathema to the vision of Proclamation.

He said McDowell had opposed the Peace Process from its inception, harangued John Hume for meeting with Sinn Féin, and had set his mind to dismantling an international agreement that 94% of the people in this state accepted in a referendum.

"That's democracy McDowell style — remember Nice I and II, look at the state of the health service and the housing crisis.

"The only way to change that is to vote McDowell and his lackeys in Fianna Fáil out of government, local and national, and later this year in June we can start that. Republicans have to take power, because it is only through gaining power that we can effect the change required to build an equal Ireland based upon the ideals and e that the men and women of 1916 died and lived for."