The Truth Set Free

15/06/2010

Thirty-eight years. Thats how long the families of victims of the Bloody Sunday massacre had to wait to hear to the British government say that their loved ones were innocent and for the leader of that government to apologise for their murders.

The families of course always knew that the victims were innocent and that they were gunned down in cold blood by the British army as they took part in a Civil Rights march in Derry, January 1972. Countless others around the world also knew of their innocence and supported their calls for justice and their demand on the British government to set the truth free.

Today, Tuesday 15th June, 2010, those families and thousands of their supporters gathered at the Guildhall in Derry to finally hear the British establishment finally admit the truth as the findings of the Saville Report were published.

When the families entered the Guildhall to be allowed to see the report, 10,000+ people gathered outside to hear the expected public admission from the British prime minister beamed live to the assembled masse. But the families made sure they would set the truth free before David Cameron did, and shortly before the live broadcast, family members inside the hall pushed their arms through the small open windows high up on the building and gave the thumbs up to let the crowd know their loved ones had been exonerated, at which point the crowd below erupted in shouts and cheers of support, moving many to tears.

Unjustified and unjustifiable were the words used in the report to describe the actions of the soldiers who murdered the 14 innocent civilians and injured many others. This description was hardly a surprise to their families and everyone else who has suffered not only in Ireland but around the world – and continue to - at the hands of the British armed forces.

British politicians and members of the British army have now, after the publication of the report, rushed to the defence of the army, as good as saying it was a one off and have done all they can to try to perpetuate the nonsense that on the whole, the British army have an almost exemplary record here in Ireland and elsewhere around the world. Some of their comments today have all but said that Bloody Sunday was no more than a blip on the screen, almost dismissing the deaths on that day.

But the countless victims of their brutality will tell you otherwise. It went on before Bloody Sunday and long after it. What made Bloody Sunday different was the brazen nature of the crime, the enormity of it, it being carried out in broad day light and the arrogance of the British afterwards justifying the slaughter of innocent defenceless human beings by telling lies about them. And the sadistic behaviour they nurtured in Ireland they shipped world wide, as we have seen more recently in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The bottom line is that one day would have been a day too long for the families and victims to wait to hear the British admit the truth of their wrong doings, never mind thirty-eight years. Moreover, its a shocking indictment on their whole establishment that this admission had to be forced out of them under duress from the victims families. One commentator said this evening that this achievement of getting the truth for the families was only the first step on the road to justice. It should also be noted that what was achieved today only came about through the collective desire and hard work of so many to set the truth free and shows what can be done when everyone pulls together for a common purpose.

Injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere, whether it be on the other side of the world, twenty minutes up the road in Derry or on your own doorstep, and everyone should pull together to fight it. The families of the victims of Bloody Sunday and their supporters should be commended for their long and arduous fight to set the truth free and we wish them well and stand with them in any further action they decide to take.

Fianna Fáil TD Sides with Israel

14/06/2010

Dr James McDaid TD has once again shamed himself by launching a disgraceful verbal attack against the peace activist Fiachra O'Luain during a radio show in Donegal during the week (Tuesday 8th June). While Mr McDaid said he didn't condone Israel's most recent actions, he clearly had no truck with Israel's general violent and disproportionate attitude shown towards the Palestinian people and anyone who attempts to show Palestine any type of humanity or provide it with humanitarian aid.

His comments saying that Israel are justified in administering collective punishment against the people of Gaza solely for exercising their democratic will in electing a government which Israel and Mr McDaid don't like, were astounding given the fact that Mr McDaid is, himself, an elected representative and would lead one to believe that he has scant regard for the democratic system. Saying also that Israel's disgraceful act of piracy on the high seas (international waters) when they boarded humanitarian aid ships by force, murdered aid workers, kidnapped and brutalised others and stole their property and cargo was “understandable”, almost beggars belief.

'Almost', because Mr McDaid and his ilk in Leinster House are clearly no strangers to piracy given their theft of benefits, money and wages of the most vulnerable in Irish society to back up the already wealthy and well catered for, and if he has such disdain for the weakest and most vulnerable in his own country, then his lack of humanitarianism towards the people of Palestine will come as no surprise to most.

The ignorance of him to question Mr O'Luain's peaceful humanitarian actions for Palestine during the show was almost childlike and embarrassing. Someone should ask Dr McDaid if he would so question Bob Geldolf on why he concentrated his efforts in Ethiopia and no-where else, or George Clooney on why he concentrated his efforts in Darfur and no-where else? Its not likely that he would. His questioning only went to show his bias in favour of Israel's brutality and his ignorance of the issue.

He's also clearly ignorant of the ground-swell of support there has been in this country and internationally for the people of Palestine and their plight, and the disdain there is of Israel's brutal oppression. His attitude is almost akin to that of a drunken pirate sailing in the wrong direction of an on-coming hurricane of support for Palestine which will hopefully see him brought to book for his (possibly deliberate) ignorance of the countless wrongs of the Israeli State.

Fiachra O'Luain and every other individual who show humanitarianism to Palestine and work for justice for its people without being influenced by warped political thinking should not only be commended, but should also be supported by ALL the members of Leinster House and not attacked on air by its out of touch elected public representatives using their position to voice their own personal views.

Immediate Action Needed on Israel

10/06/2010

éirígí have again called for immediate action on Israel after Israeli forces once again boarded and seized a humanitarian aid ship bound for Gaza. The Irish registered aid vessel MV Rachel Corrie was carrying over 1000 tons of medical and construction supplies to Gaza which has been under blockade since January 2006.

Speaking during a rally of up to 2000 people in Dublin last Saturday (June 5th), which was held to protest against Israel's siege of Gaza and the killing by Israeli forces of at least 9 aid workers who were part of the aid flotilla, éirígí Tir Chonaill spokesperson Micheál Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig said it was now time for the Dublin government to take immediate action against Israel.

“The arrogance of Israel to once again board an aid ship, kidnap its passengers and steal the aid supplies on board in a blatant act of piracy goes beyond belief” he said. “People should be under no illusion that the Israeli forces would have again seriously injured or even murdered more aid workers on the MV Rachel Corrie, just as they had done only days before, if wasn't for the fact that the world's media was watching them. But they still found it expedient to board the ship, to capture and detain humanitarian aid workers and steal what doesn't belong to Israel even though they were under such scrutiny.”

“Only days before, the foreign minister in Leinster House Micheál Martin said Israel's actions were nothing more than kidnapping and indeed Taoiseach Brian Cowen said that the aid ships should be allowed to continue unhindered to Gaza and if any harm came to any Irish citizens there would be serious consequences. Well unfortunately Irish citizens were harmed and the aid was stopped from making its way to Gaza and its time for everyone to insist the Dublin government are true to their word on this one and make sure Israel pay for their barbaric crimes” said Mr Mac Giolla Easbuig.

“Its good to hear that other organisations around the world are taking action on this, such as the Swedish Port Workers Union who are to blockade all Israeli ships and cargo handled by their union members and also that other governments are taking action against Israel. Its also good to know that more activists are planning to try break Israel's siege of Gaza by bringing more aid in another flotilla in the months ahead. The government in Leinster House must now take cues from such bravery and stand up to Israel and their crimes by taking action against them.”

He concluded, “Just as Donegal County Council voted unanimously in favour of a motion calling for the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador and his staff from Ireland, so should Leinster House. All trade agreements should end and I would call on all unions in Ireland to follow the example of their counterparts in Sweden and elsewhere in calling for a complete cessation of dealings with Israel in any form. I would also call on all businesses to end all dealings with Israel and not handle any Israeli products, shopkeepers not to stock any goods sourced in Israel and for the general public to boycott all Israeli goods and products. We can all make a difference to the terrible situation the Palestinian people are forced to endure and we should always remember that bad things will continue to happen if good people remain silent. If we turn a blind eye to blatant state sponsored terrorism such as that of Israel's then we are complicit in it. Brian Cowen should be true to his word and act immediately to make sure this brutality doesn't continue or go unchecked. The time to act is now.”

Oppose British Armed Forces Day

07/06/10

éirígí’s rúnaí ginearálta Breandán Mac Cionnaith has announced that the party intends to actively oppose the marking of the British government’s Armed Forces Day in the Six Counties.

Scheduled for June 26, the triumphalist occasion will include the raising of a British Armed Forces flag at Belfast City Hall. éirígí will be holding a demonstration at Belfast City Hall on the same date.

Mac Cionnaith said: “It is completely unacceptable that the British government and its supporters in Ireland intend to mark Armed Forces Day in the Six Counties. People in the Six Counties and across Ireland have suffered grievously due to the involvement of the British army and other British state agencies in this country.

“At a time when we are awaiting the publication of the Saville Report into the Bloody Sunday massacre, it is even more obscene that the British army’s cheerleaders intend to celebrate its history of mass murder.”

Mac Cionnaith continued: “As was the case last year, éirígí will be actively opposing the celebration of British Armed Forces Day in occupied Ireland.

“The British government’s war machine remains active in Ireland and lethal in Afghanistan – it is the responsibility of all republicans and socialists to battle against it at every turn.

“We call on all those who oppose the British occupation and imperialism in general to join éirígí in protest at Belfast City Hall on June 26.”

éirígí’s demonstration against British Armed Forces Day will commence at 12pm at Belfast City Hall on Saturday, June 26.

Freedom Flotilla Protest

Protest against the Israeli military attack on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla.

Friday 4th June. O'Hanrahan Bridge, New Ross, Wexford, 4pm.

Saturday 5th June. Hill Street, Newry, 12noon.

Saturday 5th June. Red Square,Waterford, 12noon.

Saturday 5th June. O'Connell Square, Ennis, Clare, 1pm.

Saturday 5th June. Daunt Square, Patrick Street, Cork, 1pm.

Saturday 5th June. Arthur's Quay Park,Limerick, 1.30pm.

Saturday 5th June. Guildhall Square,Derry, 2pm.

Saturday 5th June. Assemble at Garden of Remembrance, Parnell Square, Dublin, 2pm.

Saturday 5th June. GPO, O'Connell Street, Sligo, 3pm.

Saturday 5th June. City Hall, Donegall Square, Belfast, 4pm.

Resist the Health Cuts & drive to privatisation

04/06/2010

From July 1 the Health Service Executive (HSE) are to cut the numbers of Junior Doctors in our hospitals from the current level of 4500 down to 3600, a massive drop of 900 doctors in one fell swoop. Donal Duffy of the Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA). has said the planned cuts will have “profound” consequences for the health service immediately and in the future”.

According to Duffy, “patients and their families will see dramatic reductions in service. The most notable impact will be in anaesthesia (with knock on consequences for surgery and obstetrics) and emergency medicine”.

Noreen Muldoon, the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation’s (INMO) industrial relations officer in the west, also slammed the move.

She said that the health service is already in deep crisis from the ban already imposed on staff recruitment along with recent budgetary cuts. “This is coming at a very bad time” she said. “If you don’t have doctors there is going to be a reduction in services. This is a real concern to us.”

The reduction in these junior doctors posts is just the latest in a long line of cutbacks that have being imposed in recent years on the health sevice by the HSE and their political masters in Leinster House. The effect of all these cuts has had a serious effect on the provision of essential services, creating extra stress and difficulties for staff and patients alike and without any doubt leading to increased illness, unnecessary suffering and deaths.

Up to May 28, there have been 1222 beds removed from our hospitals in this state, an increase of over 300 from this time last year. Those figures do not include the planned closure of beds and theatres over the summer in order for staff to take annual leave and further cutbacks in budget. A further 1100 more beds are set be removed before the end of the year.

Below are the figures for hospitals in the Sligo, Mayo, Roscommon and Donegal region.

Aras Mahair Pol CNU, Castlerea, - 10 long stay beds for elderly closed due to non-replacement of staff

Belmullet District Hospital – 10 care of the elderly beds closed

Letterkenny General Hospital – 22 beds closed

Mayo General Hospital – 16 male surgical beds closed

Plunkett CNU, Boyle – 9 beds closed

Mayo Sacred Heart Hospital, Castlebar – 36 beds closed

Sligo General Hospital – 72 beds closed

The situation is the same wherever you look throughout the country with the Midlands regional hospital in Tullamore, Monaghan General hospital and Beaumont hospital in Dublin amongst those particularly hard hit. Tullamore has lost 86 beds and Monaghan 56 beds and a high care unit while the Beaumont's budget is being cut this year by €19 million. As a result two wards are closing, 52 beds removed and a theatre will be closed, resulting in up to 1400 people having their treatment delayed this year.

On Friday last (May 28) 284 patients in the 26-counties were left lying on trollies in hospitals because of a lack of bed spaces for them. This is not an unusually high number. The average is between 280 and 300 with it going as high as 345 on May 5.

And things are only going to deteriorate as the moratorium on recruitment and new cutbacks on their way start to be felt. As if the situation was not bad enough, in Sligo General, cuts of up to €13 million are to be made on this years budget. The INMO representative at the hospital Ann McGowan says that it will mean more people on trolleys and longer waiting lists for elective surgery.

In relation to the HSE ban on recruiting new staff, she said that it was crippling front-line staffing levels and putting massive pressure on those working in already difficult conditions within the hospital.

“Most wards” she said “are now operating with two or three nurses less than they need but the needs of patients are still the same so staff are operating under pressure all the time.” Not only is this unacceptable. It is dangerous and is putting the well being of patients at risk.

Sligo General has already lost one of its two orthapaedic wards, resulting in capacity in the single ward now reduced from 52 beds to 18 beds. Cancer services were also removed last year despite massive opposition from within the hospital and the community at large. The services have been moved to Galway University Hospital which has been unable to cope with its own patients, let alone the new influx from Sligo as it too suffers the effects of cutbacks.

Cutbacks and staff shortages are also causing major problems in the delivery of potentially life-saving cancer screening services. The breast cancer screening service BreastCheck which only was rolled out in Sligo and the north-west last year, 10 years after it commenced in other parts of the country, has seen major delays for women seeking their mammogram due to staff shortages.

Similarly, as reported previously here, recent figures from the National Purchase Treatment Fund has shown an increase in the numbers of patients waiting more than three months to recieve their colonoscopy. Such a procedure, which is the most effective way of detecting bowel cancer, should be carried out within weeks of referral by a GP according to the Irish Cancer Society. Last September there were 722 patients awaiting their colonoscopy longer than three months. That figure has risen significantly to 951.

December 09 March 2010 May 2010

Sligo General Hospital 44 74 99

Letterkenny General Hospital 25 43 56

Galway University Hospital 62 106

As already referred to above, Beaumont Hospital in Dublin has suffered severely because of the cuts and waiting lists for colonoscopies is no different. There were just 9 people waiting longer than 3 months back in December of last year. That figure increased to 66 in March and now stands at 131. For those people forced to wait months for this procedure, this is literally a matter of life and death.

Mayo General is also to suffer further cutbacks of €9 million, the closure of a male surgical ward and at least 30, and probably more, bed closures in general female and surgical wards. Our Lady's Hospital in Manorhamilton in county Leitrim has been downgraded and stripped of virtually all its services over recent years. Maternity and A&E services were stopped with orthapaedic services being transferred to Sligo, which has subsequently lost one of its wards and a reduction of 34 beds. More recently, rheumatology and endoscopy services have been removed also, leaving the future of Leitrim's only hospital in serious doubt.

In County Donegal, Letterkenny General Hospital has seen the closure of two wards in recent years including a 12-bed orthapaedic unit and cancellation of all elective surgery in the latter part of 2009. A number of community hospitals in the county, the Shiel and The Rock Hospitals in Ballyshannon as well as Lifford Community Hospital are all under threat of closure.

The removal of surgical, medical and Accident & Emergency (A&E) services at Roscommon County hospital and at Portiuncula hospital in Ballinasloe is also imminent.

All of the cuts highlighted above are just a snapshot of how our hospitals and public health service is being decimated here in the north-west, a situation replicated right throughout the state. They in no way represent the full extent of the cuts imposed – they merely give an indication of how more and more services are being downgraded and removed further and further away from the communities that depend on them.

The impact of these cutbacks has been to reduce the ability of our hospitals to give the quality care and adequate service that patients require and deserve. For front-line staff such as nurses trying to work under already extremely difficult conditions, their situation has become intolerable as they try to cope with increased workloads due to the reduced staff numbers.

The bottom line is that these cuts have caused great distress to patients and inevitably have caused lives and will increasingly do so as time goes on. The really sad thing is that these cuts are not only unjust, they are totally unneccesary. They are the result of deliberate political decisions by a government that has nothing but contempt for the well being and health of those they supposedly represent.

Fianna Fáil and the Greens are now using the current economic crisis, brought about by a combination of greed and corruption by the wealthy political and business elite and the inevitable failure of the capitalist system, as a smokescreen for implementing these cuts and their real agenda, which is about privatising the public healthcare system.

But there is no place in providing essential public services such as health care for private companies. Their priorities lie, not with the patients in need of care, but in accumulating profits for their shareholders.

The current cutbacks and the drive towards privatisation must be resisted and the current two-tier health system abolished. Health care is a basic human right that must be free, easily accessable by all and must be completely under public control. The only criteria in treating people must be their medical need, not their ability to pay as things currently stand.

While Brian Lenihan and Mary Harney on the one hand say they cannot afford to properly fund our health service, they have no hesitation in pumping tens of billions of euros to bail out the banking sector and the wealthy business elite. Indeed only yesterday it was revealed that Anglo Irish Bank were to get another €2 billion of tax-payers money on top of the billions they have already recieved.

The message is crystal clear – the profits of the banks and the rich are more important to this administration than the health of those dependent on public healthcare.