The 1916 Societies note proposals by several parties across Ireland – beginning with the SDLP, seconded by Sinn Fein and eventuating in the Dublin Government’s announcement yesterday – that a ‘national forum’ be convened to discuss the implications of the ‘Brexit’ referendum in Britain, presumably among them that the constitutional relationship between Ireland north and south, in what is a new strategic environment, not only requires review but must be fundamentally revised to reflect emerging realities.
We consider that the UK decision to withdraw from the European Union creates an immediate imperative towards Irish Unity and that the same should be effected at the earliest opportunity by all whose stated intent is to uphold the national interests of the Irish people. Our hope is that any forum to emerge will be mandated to agree a national republic, where Irish sovereignty and the right to self-determination are restored to the people as of right.
As of this morning, we have written to all elected representatives to the major institutions across Ireland, of our own initiative and independent to the proposed forum, requesting that a national dialogue, inclusive of all sections and strata of Irish society and extending also to the overseas Diaspora, freely agree proposals for an independent and all-Ireland republic to be approved in turn by the Irish people through recourse to a national referendum.
We assert that such a republic is the only political and constitutional arrangement whereby Irish national sovereignty and the right to self-determination can be upheld in their totality and as they should.
We look forward to working with all interested parties towards realising the above objectives, that we might build together in the time ahead a new democratic initiative that empowers the rights of our people while ensuring that the national interest be upheld.
Republican Sinn Fein has said two members of its Ard Chomhairle
leadership were among a group stopped and ambushed in Lurgan, County
Armagh in a heavy-handed operation by British forces this week.
Six unmarked cars containing members of the PSNI’s Tactical Support
Group (TSG), a PSNI helicopter and a British military spotter plane
were involved in the incident.
“Our members were assaulted as they were forcibly removed from the car,
dragged across the road and handcuffed by these agents of British rule
who were heavily armed with sub machine guns,” they said.
It is the latest incident in a crackdown on the party in the Lurgan
area. Twelve members of RSF from different parts of Ireland were
arrested recently for taking part in a commemoration unveiling a
monument in Kilwilkie dedicated to a local volunteer who died in action
in 1916, Edward Costello. A ten year old child of one party member was
also questioned and cautioned at the side of the road.
“This increased harassment of Republicans over the last few days has
not been limited to North Armagh,” the party said.
“In Counties Derry and Tyrone in recent days increased surveillance,
abuse of stop and search powers and verbal abuse has been directed
towards members of Republican Sinn Fein.
“It is very clear that by this increased oppression the British State
fears the core message of Revolutionary Republicanism, let it be noted,
we will neither be purchased nor intimidated. Those who suffer most
are the ordinary people who feel locked down and trapped in their own
communities by this senseless and unjustified occupation. For peace
with justice, it must end.”
STOP AND SEARCH PROTEST
In a separate development, a protest took place this week at Antrim
Road Barracks in Belfast over the continuing use of stop and search
powers by the PSNI.
It was organised by the Irish Republican Prisoners Welfare Association
in Belfast. They said freedom of information requests have shown that
thousands of such searches have taken place, without any subsequent
convictions — an indicator thay hey are used only to harass.
One republican in Derry, Steven Ramsey, is currently bringing a legal
action under human rights legislation after he was stopped and searched
more than 150 times.
The IRPWA in Belfast described the stop and search legislation as a
tool of harassment, intimidation and oppression.
“Many activists have endured hundreds of individual searches that are
invasive, an attempt to humiliate and carried out to portray them as
criminals rather than legitimate political activists,” they said.
“Often they are not only carried out in the presence of children, but
children find themselves the victims of these invasive searches.”
A major Orange Order parade passed off peacefully in Belfast on Friday
after a proposed march through nationalist areas of north Belfast did
not go ahead.
Thousands of members of the anti-Catholic Orange Order and other
loyalists were involved in one of the north’s largest demonstrations of
the year.
A ‘wall of steel’ was erected by the PSNI around the nationalist Short
Strand as the loyalist parade passed the flashpoint.
It emerged during the week that a proposed ‘deal’ to end a long-running
dispute between the Orange Order and a nationalist residents group in
north Belfast would not proceed.
The plan would have meant an Orange parade would pass through some
republican areas of north Belfast for the first time in three years, but
would have seen a loyalist protest camp at the Twaddell interface
removed.
But on Tuesday the talks facilitators, Rev Harold Good and Jim Roddy,
said that “despite some positive feedback”, an agreement could not be
found at this time.
Violence erupted in 2013 when the Parades Commission banned Orangemen
from passing the Ardoyne interface on their return from the Twelfth
parade.
The loyalist protest camp was set up and almost daily protest parades
have been held in the area since then.
Sinn Fein’s Gerry Kelly said the issue had “brought huge challenges” to
the communities who live in the surrounding areas.
“All of us in positions of political leadership have a responsibility to
continue to do all in our power to support those involved in seeking
resolution to contentious issues through dialogue,” he said.
A lack of support for the deal from a local Orange lodge was blamed for
its collapse. Ballysillan LOL 1891 made a statement saying the lodge has
“accepted no deal and will not be taking part in the parade”.
The nationalist Greater Ardoyne Residents’ Collective (GARC) also
rejected what they described as a “Sinn Fein/UVF deal.” They have blamed
the lack of agreement on “Loyalists’ false sense of superiority over
their neighbours, based on religion and/or political outlook”.
Neither GARC nor loyalist paramilitaries were involved in the talks,
which took place in secret.
The Ulster Political Research Group, which is linked to the loyalist
paramilitary UDA, said that it was “disgusted” by the proposed deal. “We
want no part of a deal shinners (Sinn Fein) refused years ago,” they
said.
There are now concerns for the ‘Twelfth’ in July, the biggest day of the
marching season, when loyalists will again attempt to march along the
Crumlin road through the Ardoyne area.
A spokesperson for GARC said the only solution to the dispute involves
using an alternative route at Harmony Lane.
“GARC is willing to oppose all sectarian parades and will reject any
sordid deal between a political party and loyalist paramilitaries that
rewards the loyal orders for putting our people under siege for the last
three years,” they said.
“Since partition and before, the Ardoyne Community has borne the brunt
of naked sectarianism in our city. In every generation, our community
has proudly resisted against the evil forces of the State and Loyalism
that view our people as sub-human, inferior and dirt.
“Despite over a century of discrimination, inequality and the slaughter
of our family and friends, the people of Ardoyne have refused to bend
the knee or submit to those that have sought our surrender, eradication
and destruction.
“One of the crudest manifestations of Unionism’s superiority complex has
been their continual demands to march through areas where they are not
welcome. For decades now, the Loyal Orders, asssisted by political
unionism and Loyalist paramilitaries, have gleefully trampled over ths
right of Ardoyne residents to live free from sectarianism.
“These parades have invariably been accompanied by heavy militarisation
of the area, restrictions on freedom of movement, violence, injury and
the criminalisation of our young people. The people of Ardoyne have
protested against this by whatever means necessary, with the correct
analysis being that the Loyal Orders should march where they are welcome
to avoid all of the above.”
Unionists have expressed concern at a renewed support for Irish
nationalism and republicanism following the result of the recent British
referendum to leave the European Union.
Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt said it had been “an unexpected
consequence” that nationalists, who were previously “content” under
British rule, were now adapting their outlook.
According to Mr Nesbitt, nationalists who were previously “relaxed” with
the constitutional status quo have been angered by the referendum result
to Leave. His Ulster Unionist Party had campaigned for a Remain vote
alongside Sinn Fein, the SDLP and Alliance.
The UUP leader said the uncertainty created by the referendum result
would prompt many nationalists to re-evaluate their place in the ‘United
Kingdom’.
“I think an unexpected consequence of the referendum result is to reopen
the constitutional question and we now have people who were content in
Northern Ireland last week thinking again about a united Ireland,” he
said.
“Quite a number of nationalists were relaxed with the constitutional
arrangements but they will be reviewing this in terms of protecting
their European identity – what they need as a reassurance is certainty,
but there is none.”
Mr Nesbitt said he accepted the outcome of last Thursday’s vote but said
it was a “very bad decision”.
“At this stage to say the referendum is not binding is to disrespect the
will of the people,” he said.
British government ministers, including front-runners in the upcoming
Conservative Party election to replace Prime Minister David Cameron, say
they don’t intend to trigger Article 50 to begin the formal process of
leaving the EU at least until the end of the year.
Some British officials have suggested the terms of the exit from the EU
should be negotiated entirely before the Article 50 invocation.
French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel
have made comments seeking a much faster removal of Britain from the
European Union, saying that the EU needs a quick timetable to avert the
ongoing “uncertainty” over the Brexit. However, there doesn’t appear to
be any obvious way the EU can “force” Britain to leave in a timely
fashion.
In Ireland, nationalist leaders have admitted the referendum result has
transformed the constitutional debate.
“The Brexit vote changes the context and that means the argument
changes,” said SDLP leader Colum Eastwood.
“We we now need to speed up integration across Ireland not just to
advance nationalism but to ensure we are no longer at the mercy of right
wing people in England who have different interests than we do.”
Sinn Fein warned of a need for action against a new “democratic deficit”
in the Six Counties. It blamed “jingoistic English nationalism” for
threatening to take the people of the North of Ireland (and Scotland),
who voted to remain, out of the EU.
Sinn Fein’s Deputy First Minister at Stormont, Martin McGuinness has
requested an urgent meeting with British PM David Cameron to discuss
Britain’s exit from the European Union saying there needs to be “special
arrangements” for the Six Counties in the north of Ireland.
He also called for an urgent meeting with Kenny, who he urged to
represent the wishes of the electorate in the North.
It came amid reports that the Taoiseach told EU leaders, including
Cameron, that Scotland shouldn’t be “dragged out” of the European Union.
The move marks a possible shift in Irish policy, as ministers had been
warned to maintain a diplomatic silence during the 2014 independence
referendum in Scotland.
Ms Sturgeon defended Mr Kenny after he was criticised by unionists,
insisting that his intervention was “appropriate” and saying he
articulated the Scottish position on Brexit “very effectively”.
‘OPEN BORDER’
Meanwhile, there is continued uncertainly over plans to police the
border between the Six and 26 Counties amid allegations of a surge of
immigrants using Ireland as a “back door” into Britain ahead of a
post-Brexit clampdown.
“We know from bitter experience that it is practically impossible to
secure the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland
and as it is likely that freedom of movement will continue to apply on
the island of Ireland, the challenge will be to stop illegal immigrants
moving into Northern Ireland from the Republic,” Nesbitt said.
“The next question that raises is how will the UK government stop people
illegally entering Great Britain from Northern Ireland?
Loyalist blogger Jamie Bryson called for a return of the British army to
patrol the border “as a matter of urgency.”
“There will undoubtedly be an increased terror threat from Irish
republican terrorists as well as an rapidly increasing threat of
international terrorism emanating from within the open borders of the
European Union,” he said.
“Given these increased threats, especially during the period of the UK’s
negotiation as we move towards an eventual exit, there is a clear need
for increased border security.
“The British Army are clearly best equipped to provide the required
security for the UK’s border areas under an increased terrorist threat,”
he said.
Mr McGuinness and the DUP’s First Minister Arlene Foster, who campaigned
in favour of Brexit, have jointly requested an urgent meeting with David
Cameron to discuss the implications of the referendum outcome for the
north.
Ms Foster said: “We have already spoken to the Prime Minister and the
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. The deputy First Minister and I
have also requested an urgent meeting with the Prime Minister in the
coming weeks to discuss matters further. We will meet with the Irish
Prime Minister Enda Kenny next Monday to commence discussions on the
nature of our relationship going forward.”
New British Prime Minister frontrunner Michael Gove is strongly opposed to the Irish peace process and believes the SAS and other undercover killers should have been allowed to continue in Ireland and could have defeated the IRA.
Meanwhile, the other main contender, Home Secretary Theresa May believes it is inevitable borders will go back up between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic after the passage of Brexit. She stated tariffs will be placed on many goods and border controls will be needed as a result.
The election of Gove in particular will cause major problems in the peace process and may result in a new crisis if he still holds those hardline, pro-unionist views.
May made her comments before the vote on a visit to Northern Ireland. According to Tory Party insiders and bookmakers, Gove and May are considered by far the most likely contenders to replace David Cameron.
Gove, currently the Justice Minister, was a key figure behind the Brexit vote.
He believes the IRA could have been defeated and the Good Friday Agreement was a capitulation to them by Tony Blair.
Gove wrote a long summary of his position on Northern Ireland in 2000 in a pamphlet called “Northern Ireland the Price of Peace,” in which he stated the IRA was on the brink of defeat before the peace process took over.
Gove wrote: “…effective intelligence, counter-insurgency and containment (measures) could have progressively reduced the republican military threat. If such a policy had been matched by a political willingness to deny the IRA any purchase on the future constitutional position of Northern Ireland, then the resulting demoralization could have aided the work of the security forces. The prospect of an effective defeat of terror could have existed.”
“But the British Government chose not to take that path. From 1989 onwards restrictions were placed on the operations of the most effective counter-terrorist measures.”
Gove argued that limiting the use of HMSU (Headquarter Mobile Support Unit) and SAS units who operated shoot-to-kill policies, according to later public inquiries, was a disastrous mistake.
“After Loughgall and Drumnakilly, the Government had become cautious, worried about shoot-to-kill accusations. But there were other, more expedient reasons for the changing political climate. The British Government had started making behind-the-scenes moves in an effort to reach an accommodation with the Provisional IRA. In other words, the British State deliberately held its security forces back from inflicting military reverses on the IRA because it preferred to negotiate,” he wrote.
“To consider what might have happened if those restraints had not been placed is to engage in a counterfactual. We cannot know if the IRA could have been defeated. We only know that road was not taken for political reasons, and the decision not to take it came as Margaret Thatcher fell from power.”
Elsewhere in his pamphlet, Gove stated that majority rule by unionists with no nationalist participation was the best alternative.
He concludes: “Therefore, the best guarantee for stability is the assertion by the Westminster Government that it will defend, with all vigor, the right of the democratic majority in Northern Ireland to remain in the United Kingdom. Ulster could then be governed with an Assembly elected on the same basis as Wales, and an administration constituted in the same way. Minority rights should be protected by the same legal apparatus which exists across the UK. The legislative framework which has guaranteed the rights and freedoms of Roman Catholics and ethnic minorities in Liverpool and London should apply equally in Belfast and Belleek.”