Undermine and Absorb

[Andropov]

This was the policy of the PIRA for years when treating INLA POW's in Long Kesh and various cages and blocks.
It was a policy of treating INLA POW's as criminals and refusing to recognise them as POW's, thus removing all privilidges and black listing them.
They would be isolated, intimidated and even attacked by PIRA POW's.
It was an attempt by the PIRA leadership to absord the INLA POW's into their structures.
Here are a few testaments by former INLA POW's and their dealings with the Undermine and Absorb campaign.
One of the many unwritten storys from that era in Irish History.

[Andropov]

Willie Gallagher
Strabane
Cages/Blocks 1975-1993
POW REP 1996-2004

Before I give my personal recollections of that period, which I haven't got the time right now to do so, I think it's worth pointing out that because of the criticism that will be directed against the PRM this is not a PSF bashing exercise. That is why I would like to acknowledge the dedication, committment and steadfastness of the PRM in the Blocks throughout the 80s and early 90s in the pursuit of the restoration of full political status and the resistance that was put up in that particular struggle. Anyone following the Billy Wright Inquiry will see clearly that by the time covering the Inquiry's remit, 1996-98, prisoners had total and full control within the Blocks and that full political status was restored and recognised by the system. PIRA prisoners, because of their numbers as well as their dedication and committment, were the main driving force in this achievement. Of course INLA prisoners also contributed to this achievement and as we all know INLA prisoners, on the back of the 'undermine and absorb' campaign established their own independent Block in 1994. It must also be acknowledged that many PIRA prisoners refused to take part in this campaign or spoke out against it and some were even courtmartialled by PIRA for doing so. Some were marginalised and ridiculed for going against the 'party line' and it would be wrong for us not to recognise and acknowledge their courage and sense of justice.

Our accounts of this period should also include testimonies of our families on the outside who were also targets of this campaign. One small personal example of that, which is documented in the 'Out Of The Shadows' pamphlet, was sometime in the mid to late 80s when I had two other brothers in the Blocks at the same time, all of us doing 20 yrs each and one of them was a PIRA volunteer and my mother was only allowed on the PDF bus to visit her PIRA son but not allowed on to visit her two INLA sons. They even checked her visiting pass before allowing her on the bus. For a period of approximately a year she thumbed up the road to the kesh and on occassions the PDF bus passed her on the road and sometimes it was only half full.

I just wanted to get this thread kicked off with a few comments and will give a detailed account later as it's a lenghty one and will take a bit of time getting it wrote out.

*Continued*
The above story is one all irp prisoners will identify with particularly those who were in prison during that period of mid 80s to mid 90s. I too was one of the prisoners who walked off the wings the same time as Micky in August 1988 along with other irp prisoners such as big Geno in an attempt to secure an INLA wing. It was the best wing I was ever in where there was genuine comradeship, equality, respect and solidarity. The PIRA leadership had dubbed us the 'contras' and by extenstion of that label they viewed themselves as the 'Sandanistas'. Unfortunately we failed to secure a seperate wing/block until 1994, ten years too late for many.

[Andropov]

Micky O'neil
Newry
blocks 86 -90

I entered the h.blocks as an 19 year old irp prisoner. in 86 and experienced the full shock of being looked upon as a common criminal,tout etc,not by the screws but by p.i.r.a prisoners.i took part in every protest that was organised by us p.o.w.s who were still trying to undermine the prison regime reguarding.dinnertime lockups,etc.It sadened me greatly that fellow prisoners could behave in such a way to myself(a young kid)and the many other irp prisoners who had sacrificed their young lives to engage the brits on our streets.i find it ironic that i was on the streets of my town fighting at every oppuortunity for the prisoners on the dirty protests and hungerstrikes,highlighting there plight.to find myself being a victim of a policy that was not different to thatchers.by the very men i looked up to.i was one of the squeaky boots who had no choice but to leave with my comrades.we took no joy from what we had to do,can i ask you martin,how would you react to being alone on a wing with 23 men who would not talk to you except .when neccesary.i was totally ostracised for being an irp or as you lot would have preferred a civilian,my only contact with friendly prisoners was on a sunday when i got the chance to meet with some non p.i.r.a prisoners in a cell on the opposite wing.to walk the yard in the blocks daily and have no one speak to you is a very lonely experience for a 19 year old lad.but instead of breaking me martin all it done was strenghten my resolve to have our voice heard.I have spoken with lots of my friends and family over the years about my time in the blocks,people could not believe that such thing were going on in there.but sadly it was true.that was the isolation side of things,when that failed it was on to the absorb policy.things changed when a few red book big names came onto my wing .they sought me out to go for walks round the yard,taught me how to play the guitar(which im still shit at)took me under their wing so to speak.then tried to recruit me to the ra which i refused or said i would think things over.whilst being romanced by bik mcfar,gerry kelly ray mccartney,etc the other prisoners also joined in the charm offensive to bring me in from the cold. i was even made minister of milk,moving right up to minister of taping shows and films for the prisoners over night.but the best was yet to come i was chosen to read out the proclaimation at easter.can you imagine my delight at being the only irp on the wing.with an audience of 23 pira and 4 screws,all looking solemnly as i took centre stage to deliver the p.i.r.a easter statement.Ill never forget my time in the blocks like most p.o.w.s,but i have some very bad memories of how the ra tried to break the spirit of young republican socialists,whos only crime was to pick a fight with the british.for the record i,ve never been convicted of anything crimminal so why did they treat me like one?I dont expect any answers as to why i was treated the way i was.but i,ll have my say on the matter and rest easy at night in the fact that i went into the camp a soldier of the i.n.l.a and came out as one with a greater hunger for the fight with britain.