A new book on collusion and British counterinsurgency policy in the north has been launched in Belfast.
‘Counterinsurgency
and Collusion in Northern Ireland’ explores suspected collusion between
loyalists and the security forces during the Troubles.
Author
Mark McGovern, who is a professor of Sociology at Edge Hill University
in England, spent several years researching the book and worked closely
with campaign group Relatives for Justice.
The academic, who is
originally from Derry, carried out numerous interviews with relatives of
people killed by loyalists in controversial circumstances.
Those
attending the launch included Operation Kenova chief Jon Boutcher, who
is currently investigating the activities of the IRA agent known as
Stakeknife.
Geraldine Finucane, the widow of murdered lawyer Pat
Finucane, and investigative journalist John Ware both spoke at the
launch event, which was held at St Mary’s University College on
Belfast’s Falls Road on Thursday.
Pat Finucane was shot dead in
front of his wife and children at his north Belfast home by a UDA hit
squad, including British state agents, on February 12, 1989.
The
new book focuses on the activities of loyalist murder units in the Mid
Ulster area, including east Tyrone and south Derry, in the late 80s and
early 90s.
Weapons believed to have been smuggled into the north
with the help of British intelligence were used to kill dozens of
Catholics and across the north between 1988 and 1994.
The
book also focuses on a “notable” rise in the number of republicans
killed by the state forces in the late 1980s in what the author
describes as ‘set piece’ and ‘shoot to kill’ operations.
Mr
McGovern also considers the number of Sinn Féin representatives targeted
and says that of the 25 killed during the Troubles more than half, 14,
died between 1989 to 1993.
Speaking at the event Mr McGovern paid tribute to the relatives of those killed.
“Families
are not just there as receivers of the truth, as important as that’s
going to be, families are very much active agents witnesses, providing
testimony, providing insight because no has as much insight very often
as they do,” he said.
“They are also archivists.”
RFJ director Mark Thompson said the book is an important addition.
“It is important because it adds to the rich tapestry of the story of collusion,” he said.
Counterinsurgency and Collusion in Northern Ireland is published by Pluto Press.
Former UFA President Retired Firefighter Richard Vizzini Engine Company 41 WAKE Tuesday, May 14, 2019 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM Wednesday, May 15, 2019 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM Sinatra Memorial Home 499 Yonkers Avenue Yonkers, NY 10704
FUNERAL Thursday, May 16, 2019 9:45 AM Immaculate Conception Church 754 East Gunhill Road Bronx, NY 10467
All Off-Duty Members should attend in Class A Uniform.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Richard’s memory can be made to the New York Firefighters Burn Center Foundation by visiting www.nyffburncenter.com or calling 718-379-1900.
Congressman Alcee Hastings, new Chairman of Helsinki Commission, demonstrates Irish solidarityCAPITOL HILL. Tuesday, May 7, 2019—— Since 1982, the Capitol Hill-based Irish National Caucus has had many, manyCongressional Friends—Members of Congress who have in writing expressed support for the Caucus’ non-violent work for justice and peace in Ireland and ( since 1998) for continued United States support for the Irish Peace Process. The latest Member of Congress to sign on is Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL). Fr. Sean McManus, president of the Irish National Caucus, said: “I greatly welcome Congressman Hastings as a Congressional Friend of the Irish National Caucus. Irish-Americans across the United States, and particularly in Florida, are delighted he has joined. It is significant also that he is Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission), ‘charged with monitoring compliance with the Helsinki Accords and advancing comprehensive security through promotion of human rights, democracy, and economic, environmental and military cooperation in 57 countries.’ The previous Chairman, Congressman Chris Smith (D-NJ), did outstanding work on justice and peace in Northern Ireland, holding many Congressional Hearings.” In his letter to Fr. Mc Manus, Congressman Hastings writes:‘I am writing to join the Congressional Friends of the Irish National Caucus. It is my pleasure to support the important work of your Caucus, and, most importantly, the continued involvement of the United States in the Irish peace-process. Much progress has been made since the Belfast Agreement … but there is much work to be done if all the people in Ireland are to benefit from the meaningful change and reconciliation…Thank you for all you have done to bring justice and peace to the people of Ireland. I look forward to continuing this work with you and my fellow Members of the Congressional Friends of the Irish National Caucus.’ Fr. McManus concluded: “African-American Members of Congress have an inherent feel for justice, fairness, equality, and peace. I am deeply grateful for Congressman Hastings’ solidarity—for, as St.Pope John Paul has said, peace is the fruit of solidarity.”
An oration delivered to this year’s Ronan MacLochlainn Commemoration
by Mr Francis Mackey,
National Chairman of the 32 County Sovereignty Movement.
The trajectory of Irish history has brought our struggle to a critical juncture. At times in that history republican actions determined the course of national events. Today, however, it is outside matters that are both influencing and dictating the national narrative.
Our contribution to that political narrative must be itself political but also infused with the true revolutionary spirit of understanding which tactics to choose and why. The revolutionary tradition in Ireland is structured upon truly revolutionary events and not blind adherence to sterile repetition.
In this modern age it is the innovation of our youth which is key to advancing our struggle. Our ability to convince them to engage with that struggle will be the measure of our fitness to claim to represent it.
This engagement moves far beyond the superficial lure of symbolism. We have as much duty to discourage the naive and reject the impatient as we do to educate the interested and be educated by them in turn.
Sacrifice must never be viewed as an emotive issue. There is no room for romance in a struggle that demands a clinical diligence. The vigour and enthusiasm of our youth is a national asset that no political sector on this island has a right to exploit or squander on misguided and reckless enterprises.
The focus for Irish republicanism now is to realign around a radical policy platform which addresses current political realities. The primary role of Irish youth in such a process is to bring contemporary relevance to such a policy platform and to be its principle advocate in bringing this message to their peers.
The spurious hereditary tradition that can afflict Irish Republicanism isa heresy to the individual thinking mind. The mantle of Irish Republicanism can only be inherited by those who have ideas to advance it.
The very essence of the doctrine of republicanism is the necessity of fresh and relevant ideas that speak to each generation and persuade them to act in both achieving and advancing a functioning sovereignty for the Irish people.
What strengthens our conviction in this belief is the sacrifice that young IRA Volunteer Ronan MacLochlainn made; and when we realise the magnitude of that sacrifice, we see very clearly the absolute validity of this strategic approach.
There are many ways in which we can remember and keep alive the vision which Ronan had for the Irish people. We can build monuments of engraved stone that can withstand the ravages of rain and time. We can inter his remains alongside some of the greatest revolutionaries that have made immense contributions to the struggle for Irish freedom.
Or we can build a monument of ideas, on the firm foundations of Ronan’s sacrifice, that reaches into the passion and ardour of our youth so as to reinvigorate the republican struggle and to once and for all get it over the line.
We make this call to the youth of Ireland; come to us with your ideas, with your criticisms, with your perceptions and with your alternatives. You will find in us a willing and openminded audience.
To all in the Republican family we say this: grasp the nettle of the reality which is staring you in the face. The momentary sting of that reality will pave into nothing set against a lifetime of regret for not having done so. We have already done so and now we are in honest discourse with the people of Ireland.
