16 January 1997 Edition

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Workers Party expels Newry branch

Sinn Féin Councillor threatened



By Brian Campbell

The Workers Party this week expelled the Newry branch of their Party for what they termed ``serious sectarian, anti-social and anti-party activities''. The expulsion was immediately followed by the formation of a group in Newry calling itself ``The Campaign for Democracy in the Workers Party''.

The expulsion of the Newry branch follows a number of incidents which included threats to Newry Sinn Féin Councillor Brendan Curran after he advised local people to ignore self-styled members of ``the Official Republican Movement'' who claimed to be collecting money for the upkeep of the Republican Plot in St Mary's Cemetery. Members of the Workers Party visited pubs and sent letters to other businesses in the town before Christmas asking for money. The Workers Party is not responsible for the upkeep of the Republican Plot and their collection was widely seen as a money-making scam.

The expulsion follows reports of violent incidents between members of the `Official IRA' in West Belfast in recent weeks. On 6 January one man broke both his legs when he jumped through a window to escape from his attackers. He was then shot in the leg.

There have been consistent rumours in recent months of impending splits in the Workers Party in the Six Counties. An Phoblacht has learned that a group within the party was not happy with the leadership's response to the events following the Drumcree standoff last July. They believed the party leadership's view that nationalists were at fault ignored the obvious state violence and the part played by the RUC and Orangemen.

There have also been reports that another group is unhappy with the shareout of profits from social clubs run by the organisation.

In a statement to the press the Campaign for Democracy in the Workers Party said they ``intend in the near future to hold a meeting of all members and genuine supporters throughout Ireland to carry our campaign forward.''

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Ireland