Micheál Martin ruled out a border poll within the next five years. Picture by Julian Behal Photography/PA Wire
ONE of the main contenders to succeed Micheál Martin as leader of Fianna Fáil has urged his party to collaborate with the SDLP in preparing for a border poll.
Dublin Bay South TD Jim O’Callaghan believes there has been a greater focus on the constitutional question since the EU referendum and that its importance is likely to increase over the coming years, with momentum towards Scottish independence feeding into the debate.
Mr O’Callaghan, a brother of RTÉ broadcaster Miriam O’Callaghan, also said that he would like to see Fianna Fáil merge with the SDLP and contest elections in the north.Subscribe to our Morning newsletter
He said Mr Martin was “not shying away” from a referendum on Irish unity, describing his party leader as a “republican”.
“His goal is my goal and he wishes to see the reunification of the two jurisdictions on the island but he has a lot of experience in dealing with the sensitivities of the politics of the issue,” he said.
The former Fianna Fáil justice spokesman, who declined a position in the coalition cabinet saying he preferred to remain on the back benches, was non-committal on when a border poll would take place though he welcomed Peter Robinson’s remarks in which he urged unionist to prepare for it.
“I don’t know when it’s going to happen but I do know, as Peter Robinson knows, it is going to happen,” he said.
Mr O’Callaghan said it was “incumbent” on republicans and nationalists to “put forward our vision” of a united Ireland.
“It will be for the secretary of state to decide but we can’t simply wait around,” he said.
“My fear is that a border poll would end up the same way as the Brexit poll, which was chaotic – people just had simplistic poll about ‘get me out of the EU’ and nobody knew what was going to happen.”
The Dublin Bay South TD argued that together Fianna Fáil and the SDLP should put forward a “constitution for what would be a new Ireland”, adding that the pursuit of independence was his party’s “founding principle”.
“Let’s not shy away from it,” he said.
“Each side and various other sides should present their views on the preferable constitutional position – let’s debate it, let’s prepare for it and let’s vote on it and let’s move on from it.”
He likened the partnership between the two parties announced in January last year as a “couple engaged for years” and that he would like to see them merge.
“Fianna Fáil is a republican party – we believe in the unification and independence of Ireland and if we’re serious about that it necessarily means we should be contesting elections in Northern Ireland,” he said.
The Irish News contacted Fianna Fáil and the SDLP regarding Mr O’Callaghan’s remarks but neither made any comment.
His family has long campaigned for a public inquiry.
Ms Haigh met Mr Finucane’s widow, Geraldine, last week and pledged her support.
‘Only remaining mechanism’
In her letter to Boris Johnson, the Labour MP wrote: “That this crime could happen at all in our country is shocking; that it has never been investigated to a lawful standard is unjustifiable.
“It is my view, and the long-standing view of the Labour Party inside and outside of government, that an independent public inquiry is the only remaining mechanism which can establish the full truth and deliver on promises made to the family.
“I therefore urge you to act without delay.”
Mr Finucane was a high-profile solicitor who lived and worked in Belfast.
He was shot dead by loyalist paramilitaries in front of his young family at their home in February 1989.
In his role as a defence solicitor, he had represented clients who included suspected members of the Irish Republican Army (IRA).
Martin Galvin – AOH National Freedom for All Ireland Chair
Documents Reveals British Home Office Suppressed Video for fear of validating charges of “shoot-to-kill” policy in Northern Ireland New York, NY 10/19/2020The Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH), has issued the following statement by National Freedom for All Ireland Chairman Martin Galvin: “The recent announcement by the AOH of the broadcast release of the “Plastic Justice” report on October 24 has prompted the release of new and damming evidence of the coverup involving the use of plastic bullets and broader British policy in Northern Ireland.”A historian who had uncovered documents while doing independent research at Britain’s Kew Archives, has forwarded new evidence after learning of the “Plastic Justice” report launch. The records were made shortly before and after the August 12,1984 killing of John Downes by a plastic bullet fired fired into his chest at point blank range by members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary.. “In a handwritten memo dated August 16,1984, British Home Office official Anthony Townsend, directed the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, to withhold film of the actual shooting, because the footage would ‘inevitably increase the belief that that a shoot-to-kill policy was in operation’.Theses and other records will now be part of the launch and have also been forwarded to solicitors for the Downes family, for use in their legal battle for an inquest. “”Plastic Justice” will describe how the British label victims as criminals or rioters to justify murders and intimidate witnesses. Crucial evidence is withheld. Inquests which could provide truth on these murders are denied. Not one British trooper or Royal Ulster Constabulary member was ever found guilty for any of these 17 killings, even where victims were children. Both Frances Meehan and Mark Kelly will speak about their personal experiences, fighting for justice. These newly discovered documents will give added weight to these charges.”This launch will be watched by Hibernians across the United States along with members of other prominent Irish American organizations. The program will Relatives for Justice Director Mark Thompson, Frances Meehan, (sister of Michael Donnelly) and Mark Kelly, (brother of Carol Ann Kelly). The Ancient Order of Hibernians and Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, led by National Presidents Danny O’Connell and Karen Keane, are co-hosting the launch in a virtual webinar and YouTube broadcast, beginning at 4pm Irish time and 11am in New York. at Ancient Order of Hibernian in America Live on YouTubeThe AOH is proud to sponsor the release of “Plastic Justice” and are gratified that it has already born tangible returns in the release of this new evidence that will aid the long overdue quest for justice.
About The Ancient Order of Hibernians Founded in 1836 with membership in all 50 states, the Ancient Order of Hibernians is the oldest and largest Irish-Catholic Organization in the United States
Memorial Mass in Honor of Former Fire Commissioner Carlos M. RiveraFormer Fire Commissioner Carlos M. Rivera died on October 12, 2020. Rivera was appointed the 27th New York City Fire Commissioner by Mayor David N. Dinkins on January 1, 1990 and served in that position until his resignation on August 31, 1993. A Mass will be held in his memory on Friday, October 16, 2020 at 10:00 AM at Our Lady of Grace Roman Catholic Church, 666 Albin Ave. in West Babylon, NY.
23rd Street Fire Memorial Mass Box: 55-598 The Officers and Firefighters of Engine 16 and Ladder 7 cordially invite all retired and active members and their families to the annual Engine 16/Ladder 7 23rd Street Memorial Mass, where we remember all members who made the supreme sacrifice on Saturday, October 17, 2020 at 12:00 PM at the R.C. Parish of Our Saviour, 59 Park Ave NY, NY 10016. All Uniform members are requested to attend in class ‘A’ uniform.
DC Thomas Reilly, Division 3; BC Walter Higgins, Bn-7; Lt John Finley, L-7; Lt Joseph Priore, Bn-4; FF John Berry, L-7; FF James Galanaugh, E-18; FF Rudolph Kaminsky, L-7; FF Joseph Kelly, E-18; FF Carl Lee, L-7; FF William McCarron, Div 3; FF Bernard Tepper, E-18; Prob FF Daniel Rey, E-18.
The landed proprietors in a circle all around – and for many miles in every direction – warned their tenantry, with threats of their direst vengeance, against the humanity of extending to any of them the hospitality of a single night’s shelter. Many of those poor people were unable to emigrate with their families, while, at home, the hand of every man was thus raised against them. They were driven from the land on which Providence had placed them; and, in the state of society surrounding them, every other walk of life was rigidly closed against them. What was the result?. After battling in vain with privation and pestilence, they at last graduated from the workhouse to the tomb; and in little more than three years, nearly a fourth of them lay quietly in their graves.”
