On this day 1916 – James Connolly and Seán Mac Diarmada executed by British in Kilmainham

Posted by Jim on May 12, 2019

Official Communication from the UFA

Posted by Jim on May 11, 2019

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.

Key Congressman signs on as Congressional Friend of Irish National Caucus

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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.” 

Grasp the nettle

Posted by Jim on

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
is a 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.

Beir Bua!

Para banners mock victims

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The proliferation of loyalist banners supporting killer British Army
soldiers has been denounced as a hate crime.

A banner in support for ‘Soldier F’, who is currently facing Bloody
Sunday murder charges, has been erected on Main Street, Garvagh. It is
the latest to appear for the benefit of the British Army’s murderous
Parachute Regiment, which was behind two of the worst massacres in the
North of Ireland.

The PNSI police have shown no interest in the banners, the latest of which
was erected across the main street of Garvagh in the County Derry town
overnight on Monday, joining Carrickfergus and Portadown. A number of
Parachute Regiment flags have also been erected in Garvagh and in
locations across the North.

SDLP assembly member, John Dallat has said he believes the erection of
the Garvagh banner was in breach of hate legislation.

“The banner is not a true reflection of the people of Garvagh,” he said.
“This banner is an incitement to hatred. It is everything that the
people of Garvagh do not want as an image of their village.”

The banner has also been condemned by Sinn F閕n councillor Sean Bateson,
who said it was designed to hurt the victims of Bloody Sunday and to
cause community division.

“The banner proclaiming support for a murder suspect is not
appropriate,” he said. “The victims of Bloody Sunday deserve the truth
just as much as any victim of the conflict. This banner should be
removed immediately.”

A similar banner has been erected in Loughgall, County Armagh, where
eight IRA Volunteers were killed in 1987 in an ambush by the British
Army’s SAS. Last week marked the 32nd anniversary of the attack.

The banner, which reads “Loughgall supports our troops”, carries the
logos of the SAS and Parachute Regiment.

A sister of one of the victims has called on the British government to
distance themselves from a banner she claims mocks his death. Mairead
Kelly’s brother Paddy Kelly was one of nine men, including a civilians,
who were killed on the day.

“I think if a different flag went up somewhere else there would be a
loud outcry,” she said. “I think it’s insensitive particularly because
the SAS killed nine people in that area. It shows a total disregard for
the sensitivities of the families. I don’t think anybody should mock or
take delight in the killing of anyone.”

Ms Kelly said “these symbols on this banner are MoD [Ministry of
Defence] symbol The MoD has to distance themselves publicly or take
responsibility and have the banner removed.”

Independent councillor Barry Monteith also said the banner is “very
provocative” and caused distress to relatives of those killed.

“I would support the families in their call to have it removed,” he
said.

TIME FOR TRUTH II

Meanwhile, a second ‘Time for Truth’ march in Belfast will highlight the
continued intransigence of the British state on dealing with the legacy
of the past next month.

A march in February last year saw more than 7,000 people take to the
streets. Victims of the conflict behind the campaign have called for the
2014 Stormont House Agreement legacy mechanisms to be implemented and
adequately resourced.

They have also called for resources for the Lord Chief Justice’s
five-year plan to clear a backlog of legacy inquests and for the Police
Ombudsman’s office to allow it to complete outstanding historical
investigations.

This year’s Time for Truth march will take place on Sunday June 9.

Spokesman Ciar醤 Mac Airt said: “Yet again, the continued intransigence
of the British state and its failure to deal with the legacy of the past
has forced our families to take to the streets to seek our basic human
rights.

“Some of our families have been fighting for nearly half a century for a
proper investigation or inquest into the death of loved ones.”