Ceiliúradh frithbheartaíochta: Séamus Ó Conghaile: 1910-2010

21/07/2010

(English version follows)

Mar chuid d’Fhéile Gasyard na bliana seo, beidh Cnuaschoiste Shaor Doire ag óstáil oíche phlé agus cheoil chun comóradh céad bhliain tuirlingt Shéamuis Uí Chonghaile i nDoire agus a fhilleadh ó Mheiriceá Theas go Éire a mharcáil.

Dúirt urlabhraí do Chnuaschoiste Shaor Doire “Is imeacht de chomóradh chéad bhliain é a cruthaíodh chun tuirlingt Shéamuis Uí Chonghaile i nDoire a aibhsiú, feicthe anois mar cheann de na teagmhais is stairiúla in Éirinn.

“Aon chéad bhliain ó shin ar an lá seo, an 26ú Iúil 1910 i lár méadú corraíola shóisialta agus tionsclaíochta, d’fhill duine de na réabhlóidithe Éireannacha is túisce ar Éire, ag fógairt ceann de na tréimhsí is stairiúla a bheadh ag ár n-aicme agus ina dhiaidh sin do stair na hÉireann. I rith an ama seo ghlac Ó Conghaile páirt, arís eile i gcorraíl san áit oibre tríd an ról a bhí aige i gCeardchumann Oibrithe Iompair agus Ilsaothar na hÉireann. Leis an bhorradh seo i ngníomaíocht cheardchumainn ar fud na tíre, go dtí Glásáil Amach Bhaile Átha Cliath, agus i gcruthú ceann de na céad milístí oibrithe, Arm Saoránach na hÉireann agus go dtí a bhás míthráthúil tar éis an ról a bhí aige i rith Éirí Amach na Cásca 1916, déanfaidh an comóradh céad bhliain ceiliúradh agus tuilleadh scrúdú ar shaol agus polaitíocht radacach An Chonghailigh.



“I rith na hoíche beidh roinnt painéalaithe ag féachaint ar ábharthacht agus an ról a bhí ag polaitíocht aicmeach An Chonghailigh ansin agus fiú inniu. Thar roinnt blianta amach romhainn beidh tuilleadh athscrúdú ar mharcóirí stairiúla cosúla i stair na hÉireann gan dabht a tharla san áit oibre agus ar an tsráid. Ba chóir go mbeadh an ceiliúradh seo faoi fhilleadh Shéamuis Uí Chonghaile ar Dhoire agus ar Éire í féin feicthe mar thús orthu, is ceiliúradh é ar fhrithbheartaíocht an lucht oibre in aghaidh impiriúlachas agus caipitleachas.”

I measc iad siúd a bheidh ag glacadh páirt ar an bpainéal plé beidh iar-ghníomhaí Cearta Sibhialta Bernadette McAliskey, staraí de chuid Páirtí an Lucht Oibre Dr. Emmet O’ Connor agus iar-chime poblachtánach agus eagraí an IWU, Tommy McKearney a roinnfidh a gcuid smaointe ar an tréimhse seo agus ar Shéamuis Ó Conghaile é féin. Beidh bailéid oibrithe ó cheoltóirí áitiúla ag an oíche chomh maith agus bia dea-mhéine.

Beidh na ceiliúraidh ar siúl ag a 7i.n. ag an ionad Gasyard, Bóthar Lecky, Dé Luain an 26ú Iúil.

A Celebration of Resistance: James Connolly: 1910 - 2010

As part of this years Gasyard Feile, the Free Derry Collective will be hosting a discussion and music evening to mark the centenary of James Connolly’s landing in Derry and his return from North America to Ireland.

A spokesperson for the Free Derry Collective said “It’s a centennial event which has been created to shed some light on James Connolly’s landing in Derry, itself now seen as one of Ireland’s most historical episodes.

“One hundred years to the day, on 26th July 1910 amidst increasing social and industrial unrest, one of Ireland’s foremost revolutionary figures James Connolly returned to Ireland, heralding what was to be one of the most historic periods for our class and subsequently for Irish history. It was during this time Connolly once again, took part in workplace agitation, through his role within the Irish Transport and General Workers Union. With this upsurge in trade unionism activity across the country, to the Dublin Lock Out, and the creation of one of the first workers militia, the Irish Citizens Army and to his untimely death following his role played during the Easter Rising of 1916, this centenary event will both celebrate and examine further the life and radical politics of Connolly.

“During the evening several panellists will also be looking at the relevance and role that Connolly’s class politics has had back then and even today. Over the next several years there will undoubtedly be a further re-examination of similar historical markers in Irish history which took place both in the workplace and on the streets. This celebration of James Connolly’s arrival back to Derry and Ireland itself should be seen as just the beginning of these, it’s a celebration of working class resistance to both imperialism and capitalism.”

Among those taking part in the panel for discussion will be Veteran Civil Rights activist Bernadette McAliskey, Labour historian Dr. Emmet O'Connor and Former republican prisoner and IWU organiser, Tommy Mc Kearney who will share their thoughts on this period and of James Connolly himself. The evening will also have a selection of workers ballads from local musicians and some complimentary food.

The celebrations will take place at 7pm Gasyard Centre, Lecky Rd on Monday 26th July.

The Chief Welcomed Home

20/07/10

Human rights activist and Shell to Sea campaigner Pat ‘the Chief’ O’Donnell was finally released from prison on Saturday [July 17]. He had served more than five months of a seven month sentence imposed on him for his involvement in protests against the giveaway of our natural resources and Shell’s plans to build an experimental and highly dangerous pipeline through his community in north Mayo.

Around 150 people gathered outside Castlerea Prison in County Roscommon on Saturday to take part in a demonstration celebrating his release. Amongst those gathered to greet Pat on his release was his wife and children as well as many friends and neighbours from the peninsula of Iorras [Erris]. Also present were Shell to Sea campaigners and other supporters from around the country as well as activists from éirígí.

Addressing campaigners and supporters at the gate of Castlerea Prison, Pat thanked those who stood by him and his family, including all those who wrote to him, during his term of imprisonment. He described his time in prison as a “learning experience” and said he remained unbroken and defiant and committed to continuing the fight against Shell and their planned pipeline.

Referring to fellow prisoners whom he met within the jail, Pat said that “the real criminals are walking the streets”. To loud cheers and prolonged applause Pat continued: “By that, I mean the bankers, the developers and the politicians.”

Fellow Shell to Sea campaigner Maura Harrington then read out a message of support from independent councillor Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan, who is currently the Mayor of Roscommon County Council. According to Cllr Flanagan’s statement, Pat’s bravery in standing up to tyranny was to be “commended”. He said that “it was not people who hid under the beds that won freedom for Ireland. It was people like yourself”.

Cllr Flanagan’s statement continued: “It was not crooks like Bertie Ahern and Ray Burke that this state was created for. It was for people like you. Your dedication to what is right is what gives hope that things can change. Without people like Pat O’Donnell this country would be a lesser place. Keep up the fight. Why keep quiet simply because you are bloody well right.”

Maura then went to raise the plight of fellow campaigner Niall Harnett who remains in Castlerea prison and who was in his 88th day of a six month prison sentence for his opposition to Shell’s activities in north Mayo. The day before Niall was sent to jail on April 20 the Deepwater Horizon Rig exploded and sank in the Gulf of Mexico, killing eleven people, injuring seventeen and causing the largest environmental disaster in the history of the United States.

Maura highlighted the fact that every day that Niall was inside Castlerea, “there has been oil spewing into the Gulf of Mexico”. She finished up by saying that “we are damned if what has happened in the Gulf of Mexico is ever going to be allowed to happen in Broadhaven Bay and in Erris in north Mayo.”

Cathaoirleach éirígí Brian Leeson praised the determination and defiance of Pat O’Donnell and said his activism was an inspiration.

Leeson said: “The jailing of both Pat and Niall was a blatant injustice and further evidence, if any was needed, of the corrupt nature of this state and its so-called justice system. The manner in which Pat has carried out his opposition on land, at sea and during his time in prison, to Shell’s planned pipeline and the giveaway of our natural resources is an inspiration to those of us who seek a society that puts the welfare and safety of its citizens before the profits of private business.”

Leeson added: “Pat’s crime was not what he was convicted of. It was his refusal to be bought off by Shell or intimidated by the Gardaí acting at Shell’s behest. For standing up for his community, and indeed for the wider population of this island, with the corporate media acting as cheerleaders, this state has attempted to demonise and criminalise Pat and his fellow campaigners.

“Pat has been repeatedly intimidated and arrested. He has been assaulted. He has had his fishing boat seized illegally by the Gardaí and had it sank by armed and masked thugs. As Pat himself made reference to, it is the wrong people that have been jailed. The real criminals are those bankers, developers and politicians that have bled this country dry and created the economic wasteland that this state is currently in.

“It is these individuals who have made their fortunes on the backs of working class people, and those who have signed away the rights to the hundreds of billions of euros worth of natural resources, that should be behind bars. It is those who are placing the lives of an entire community at risk by constructing an extremely dangerous experimental pipeline carrying raw gas close to their homes that should be in Mountjoy and Castlerea prisons, not Pat or Niall.”

Leeson concluded: “Once again I want to reiterate éirígí’s support for the people of Erris and the Shell to Sea campaign. We will continue to campaign to defeat Shell and their planned pipeline and to take our natural resources back under public control, where the vast wealth generated can be used to fund schools and hospitals, not to line the pockets of Shell's shareholders.”

The Camera Doesn’t Lie: The Truth About Ardoyne

18/07/10

Since last Monday night’s Orange Order incursion, the residents of Ardoyne and those who support their right to live free from sectarian harassment have come under sustained attack from the British government, the PSNI, organs of the Six County state, the corporate media and some political parties who should know better.

According to the narrative constructed by these bodies, what happened in Ardoyne was an orgy of violence ignited by irresponsible outsiders who called people onto the streets to suit their own twisted ends. The narrative is a familiar one: it is one that was used against the residents of the Ormeau and Garvaghy roads, Derry and elsewhere in the 1990s, it is a tactic that has been used against the people of Ardoyne for over a decade.

What the people purveying this propaganda in an attempt to obscure the truth from the wider population ignore are some very simple facts:

1. In the run up to this year’s sectarian march, the Greater Ardoyne Residents Collective conducted a survey which found that 1,100 households objected to the Orange Order incursion on their community.
2. éirígí responded to the call from Ardoyne residents to extend solidarity to their besieged community. éirígí did not call people onto the streets.
3. The first act of violence on Monday was the PSNI attack on a peaceful sit-down protest by residents and supporters.
4. By its own admission, the PSNI fired at least 70 plastic bullets in Ardoyne on Monday, injuring a number of people.
5. The resolution to the annual conflict in Ardoyne is a simple one: Reroute the Orange Order from the area and accept the residents’ right to live from sectarian harassment and intimidation. When the Orange Order’s ‘Tour of the North’ was rerouted from Ardoyne earlier this summer, there was no violence. Likewise, the Garvaghy and Ormeau roads and other nationalist areas of the Six Counties have been largely quiet since the Orange Order was stopped from imposing itself upon them.

The Six County establishment may wish to bury its head in the sand on this issue but they should remember one thing: last Monday’s dignified peaceful protest was a message from the people of Ardoyne that they will not be treated as second class citizens, they will not be intimidated and they will not be demonised.

éirígí’s activists and supporters were proud to stand, and sit, beside the people of Ardoyne on Monday and they will do so again if the call is put out.

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Éileamh ar Thacaíocht do Phríosúnaigh

16/07/2010

(English version follows)

Dé Sathairn beag seo (17ú Iúil) scaoilfear saor feachtasóir Shell chun Sáile Pat O’Donnell i ndiaidh dó cúig mhí a chaitheamh i ngéibheann as cúiseanna a bhain le himeacht ag agóid in éadan ghníomhaíochtaí an ollchomhlachta breosla Shell i gCeann Iorrais, Condae Mhaigh Eo.

Ag caint faoin ocáid, dúirt urlabhraí éirígí Thír Chonaill Micheál Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig go raibh sé tábhachtach don phobal tacaíocht a thabhairt do mhuintir Cheann Iorrais agus fáiltiú roimh scaoileadh saor an Uasail O’Donnell.

“Is maith an rud é go bhfuil Pat O’Donnell á scaoileadh saor an deireadh seachtaine seo ó phríosún ach níor chóir dó bheith ann sa chéad áit,” arsa an tUasal Mac Giolla Easbuig. “Cuireadh i bpríosún é díreach mar gheall ar a sheasamh ar son a phobail agus lig rialtas Bhaile Átha Cliath do chorás cirt na Sé Chondae Fichead a bheith in úsáid mar uirlis de chuid Shell Oil le pobal Iorrais a chur faoi chois ina n-iarrachtaí chun acmhainní nádúrtha ar nós ola agus gáis a ghoid ó mhuintir na hÉireann.

“Tá sé soiléir go bhfuil Shell ag díriú ar dhaoine a chuireann ina n-éadan agus gur úsáid siad Pat mar shampla dóibh siúd atá ag déanamh agóide faoi olcanna a leithéid de chomhlacht ilnáisiúnta. Léiríonn príosúnú daoine cosúil le Niall Harnett agus an príomhoide scoile scoirthe Maura Harrington, agus úsáid na meán chun bréaga salacha agus mailíseacha a scaipeadh fúthú, go rachaidh siad ar maos chun a sprioc a bhaint amach,” arsa é.

“Ba chóir go mbeidh muintir Dhún na nGall meabhrach go bhfuil gach seans ann go ligfidh an rialtas i dTeach Laighean dár gcúirteanna a bheith in úsáid in éadan an phobail ar mhaithe leis an saint chaipitleach nuair a thosaíonn taiscéaladh agus mianadóireacht d’acmhainní nádúrtha sa chondae seo. Bíodh druileáil do bhreosla agus mhiotail luachmhara ann nó piolóin ollmhóra a chur trasna na tuaithe, úsáidfidh gnólachtaí móra na cúirteanna chun duine ar bith a labhraíonn amach in n-éadan a phionósú agus ba chóir do gach duine réasúnta labhairt amach in éadan mí-úsáid ár gcorás cirt agus tacaíocht a thabhairt do leithéidí Pat O’Donnell.”

Chríochnaigh sé, “Is é bun an scéil gur chóir do rialtas Bhaile Átha Cliath tacaíocht a thabhairt don phobal, seachas do leas an scothaicme saibhir agus don aicme ghnó chaipitleach. Tá breis agus 20,000 duine dífhostaithe i nDún na nGall agus tá giorruithe i seirbhísí ar an bhealach, ba chóir go mbeadh acmhainní nádúrtha na tíre seo faoi smacht an stáit, eastósctha ag úsáid dea-chleachtas idirnáisiúnta i ndiaidh comhairliúcháin cheart le pobail áitiúla, agus go n-úsáidfear an saibhreas iarmhartach chun ár n-otharlanna agus scoileanna a mhaoiniú, ár n-infrastruchtúr a fheabhsú agus chun fostaíocht inbhuanaithe a chruthú anseo i nDún na Gall. Is mithid don phobal an rud ar linne é a athshealbhú.”

Call for Support of Protesters

This Saturday (17^th July) will see the release from prison of Shell to Sea campaigner Pat O'Donnell after serving five months in jail for charges relating to an incident at a protest against fuel giant Shell's activity in Erris Head, Co.Mayo.

Speaking of the up-coming event and release of Mr. O'Donnell, éirígí Tir Chonaill spokesperson Micheál Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig said it was important for the public to support the people of Erris Head and welcomed Mr.O'Donnell's release.

“It's good that Pat O'Donnell is being released this weekend from prison but he should never have been there in first place”, Mr Mac Giolla Easbuig said. “He was jailed solely for standing up for his community and the Dublin government have allowed the Twenty-Six County justice system to be used as vehicle by Shell Oil to run rough-shod over the Erris community in their efforts to steal natural resources such as oil and gas from the Irish people.”

“Its quite evident that Shell have anyone who dares oppose them in their sights and that they have used Pat as an example to those who would wish to protest against the wrongs of such a multi-national company. The jailing also of people such as Nial Harnett and retired school principle Maura Harrington and the use of the media to spread scurrilous and malicious lies about them shows they'll sink to any depth , regardless of who the hurt, to get what they want” he said.

“The people of Donegal should be aware that there is every chance that the government in Lenister House will also allow our courts to be used against the public in the interests of capitalist greed when exploration and mining for natural resources begin in this county. Whether it be drilling for fuels and precious metals or running giant pylons across the countryside, big business will use the courts to punish anyone who speaks out against them and every right thinking person, regardless of position, should speak out against the abuse of our justice system and support people such as Pat O'Donnell.”

He concluded by saying, “The bottom line is that the Dublin government, instead of backing the interests of the wealthy elite and the capitalist business class, should be standing firmly behind the people. With unemployment in Donegal at well over 22,000+ and cutbacks in services on the cards, the natural resources of this country should be controlled by the state, extracted using best international practise after proper consultation with local communities and the resulting wealth created used to fund our hospitals and schools, improve our infrastructure and create sustainable employment here in Donegal. Its time the people reclaim what is ours.”

Ardoyne Rejects Second Class Citizenship

15/07/10

The nationalist residents of Ard Eoghain threw down the gauntlet to the Orange Order, the PSNI and the Six County Parades Commission on Monday (12th July) when they staged a dignified peaceful protest against the annual sectarian antics which they are expected to endure.

As Monday's unwanted Orange march approached the Ardoyne shops, around 200 residents and supporters, including a number of éirígí activists, took to the road and staged a sit-down protest. It took dozens of riot clad, baton wielding PSNI officers nearly five hours to drag the determined peaceful protestors from the path of the sectarian march, injuring many in the process.

The PSNI only managed to hem the residents back into Ardoyne at around 9 o’clock by firing dozens of plastic bullets, baton charging protestors and turning water canon on women and children. A number of people were injured by baton rounds.

Rúnaí ginearálta éirígí Breandán Mac Cionnaith said: “The residents of Ardoyne should be commended for the disciplined, dignified manner in which they objected to Monday’s sectarian coat-trailing session.

“The people of Ardoyne, like people everywhere, have fundamental human rights. One of these rights is to be able to live free from the threat of sectarian harassment. When this right is taken from them, as it is annually by the Orange Order and the PSNI, they have a right to resist. Monday’s sit-down protest was a commendable example of resistance.

“The Six County Parades Commission now needs to realise that the residents of Ardoyne will not meekly accept being walked over by triumphalist bigots, nor should they be expected to. The only just resolution to this problem is accepting the right of Ardoyne residents to a life free from sectarian intimidation and banning the Orange Order march from the area.”

Responding to the firing of over 70 plastic bullets by the PSNI, Mac Cionnaith said: “The PSNI has proven yet again that it is a sectarian militia that will use any means necessary to enforce the writ of the Orange state in nationalist communities.

“Plastic bullets are a lethal weapon – they maim and kill innocent people. Those nationalist parties who claim to oppose the use of these weapons should withdraw their support from the PSNI immediately.”

Breaking the Blockade of Gaza

13/07/2010

More than 100 people attended a public meeting in Belfast on Thursday night [July 8] to hear first hand accounts of the recent deadly Israeli raid on the international aid flotilla bound for the besieged Gaza Strip.

Donegal man Fiachra Ó Luain, who was on board the Challenger 1 ship, gave an account of the lead up to the assault and the surviving activists’ ensuing captivity and eventual deportation.

Ken O’Keefe, a former US Marine who subsequently renounced his US citizenship and who now holds joint Irish-Palestinian nationality, gave an account of his experiences on board the Marvi Marmara, the ship on which nine activists were murdered by Israeli commandos. O’Keefe, who disarmed two of the commandos who boarded the ship, also stressed the importance of pressing on with the campaign to break the blockade.

Following their accounts, a lively question and answer session was held, before a fundraising session kicked off with folk singers Barry Kerr and Pól MacAdaim.