Conghaileach
21st September 2003, 01:03
The Plough
- E-mail newsletter of the Irish Republican Socialist Party -
Number 6
Date: 19th September 2003
1. Loyalist watch
2. Job Losses
3. Price-Waterhouse Coopers Report
4. Dún Laoghaire¹s 1913 Lockout Martyr
5. Once more on the Sunday World
6. The War Industry in Northern Ireland
7. On Education In The Republic of Ireland
8. The 1803 rebellion - Republican workers executed in 1803
9. The Speech from the Dock - Robert Emmett.
10. What's On
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LOYALIST WATCH.
Sunday14th September. A 200 strong mob of loyalist protesters jeered
whistles threw objects and spat at Catholics attending a blessing of the
Graves in Carnmoney cemetery. This mob of low lifers came from the
Rathcoole estate and later two cars were burned out as the mob rioted. The
local parish priest Father Dan Whyte was informed by the PSNI (Police
Service of Northern Ireland)/RUC that his life was under threat from the
Loyalist Action Force. This followed the daubing of paint on the local
Catholic Church and the smashing of Catholic graves by the loyalists.
On Sunday evening two catholic families were attacked in the Deerpark Road
in North Belfast. A lump of tarmac was thrown through the living room
window of one house and through he bedroom window of another house. In
previous weeks the local UDA had orchestrated attacks on other catholic
families in this mixed area.
Monday 15th September
A local Ulster Unionist Party Councillor, Ivan Hunter said of Father Whyte, he
"has an agenda that we don¹t seem to be getting to the bottom of."*the
catholic church in Carnmoney "made a determined effort to segregate and
sectarianise Carnmoney. *The very fact that he didn¹t remove the graffiti
on church doors shows he has an agenda." Hunter is a member of David
Trimble¹s Party, which signed up to the Good Friday Agreement. So much for
parity of esteem. David Trimble has subsequently defended the comments of
Hunter
Pipe bombs were found at two catholic schools in Dungiven and Limavady
forcing both schools to be evacuated. Explosives were in both pipe bombs.
Wednesday 17th The Boys Model School received a bomb scare forcing the
school to be evacuated. The Bomb scare was allegedly from the CIRA.
Thursday 18th Loyalists extended their campaign against Catholic
schools and six had bomb scares to contend with. One of those was outside
Belfast in Larne where there has been a sustained campaign by loyalists to
drive out Catholics from the whole town.
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JOB LOSSES IN IRELAND.
640 job losses announced by the US company 3com in Blanchardstown (ROI)
315 job losses by Sneider in Celbridge. (ROI)
30 jobs lost at CCC Technology, in the Spring Bank industrial estate in
Poleglass, (NI) as the parent company in the USA filed for bankruptcy. When
it was opened in 1996 it received approximately £ 1.6 million in state
aid. Another company called Europa Tools based across from CCC Technology
closed last year although it had received £3.2 million.
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EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR THE PREVENTION OF TORTURE
The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture have expressed grave
concerns about the ill treatment of people in Garda custody. Allegations
included blows with batons, kicks and punches to various parts of the body.
The allegations had 'credibility' and were backed up by medical evidence
although complaints were ignored by judges.
When brought to their attention. Most of the recommendations made by the
Committee were also made in 1995 and 1998 but were then ignored. It is
likely this also will be ignored. While a lot of attention has been rightly
focused on the PSNI/RUC it should never be forgotten just how vicious and
corrupt the Garda are. We have only to mention the ŒHeavy gang¹ of the
seventies, the goings on in Donegal in the nineties and the petty
harassment of small businesses in Dublin who don¹t see the benefit of
kitting out the local Gardai.
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PRICE-WATERHOUSE COOPERS REPORT
A recent report issues by PwC spells out the reality facing the Northern
Ireland economy. Although the economy is relatively prosperous much of that
has been because of massive increases in Government spending in health,
education transport and administration. Indeed about 60% of the Gross
Domestic Product is accounted for by public sector expenditure. The
Northern Ireland economy is more dependent than any other region on public
spending and thus will be very vulnerable to cuts in public spending which
are forecast for after the next election. While shops and warehouses are
opening up factories are closing. There are now less than 100,000 people
working in manufacturing which is the lowest figure ever recorded.
Manufacturing now accounts for only 17% of economic activity in the
North. Graduates are now working in jobs that require no degrees and the
growth in call centres parallels a growth in sweatshop conditions.
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DÚN LAOGHAIRE'S 1913 LOCKOUT MARYTR.
Near the Republican plot in Deansgrange cemetery lie the remains of one of
Dún Laoghaire¹s forgotten sons. James Byrne was born and reared at 5
Clarence Street, Kingstown {Dún Laoghaire} and inspired by the leadership
of James Connolly & Jim Larkin he became an active trade unionist in the
ITGWU. By the time of the Great Lock Out of 1913, Byrne was a thirty eight
year old married father of six was Secretary of Bray & Kingstown {Dún
Laoghaire} Trades Council and also the Kingstown {Dún Laoghaire} ITGWU
Branch Secretary. The 1913 Lock Out was the most significant and tragic
era of trade union history ever witnessed in Ireland. The mood and tragedy
of that time is captured brilliantly in James Plunkett¹s serial drama
Strumpet City currently showing on Sunday evenings on RTE. Trade Unionists
from up to 45 different unions combined against the might of Dublin
Employers, led by William Martin Murphy, owner of the Irish Independent and
director of the United Tramways Company, the principal source of public
transport in the capital at the time. The reason for this confrontation was
simple; the refusal of Murphy and other¹s to employ trade union
members. James Byrne was arrested and falsely charged with ³intimidation²
of a tram-worker on October 20th 1913 by the Dublin Metropolitan Police,
and remanded to Mountjoy prison. While there he embarked on a hunger and
thirst strike in protest at the refusal of bail. After a number of days the
British government gave in and Byrne was released on bail awaiting trial.
However due to the conditions prevailing in the jail at the time and helped
in no way by his hunger and thirst strike he caught pneumonia from which he
died in Monkstown Hospital a mere two weeks since first arrested. On the
3rd November 1913 James Byrne was laid to rest. Up to 3,000 people along
with 25 mourning coaches and cabs accompanied by two trade union bands left
Byrnes home at 1pm for the funeral walk. The procession took two hours to
reach Deansgrange due to its size. Many of those attending had travelled
on special trains from Dublin City Centre. It was reported in newspapers at
the time that many houses had their blinds drawn and many shops closed in
respect to Byrne. It was also reported that due to size of the procession
the tram service was held up for nearly an hour, a tragic irony considering
why Byrne had been imprisoned. Again, due to the size of the cortege the
funeral oration by James Connolly was delivered from the roof of a cab. He
is quoted as saying
"That their comrade had been murdered as surely as any of the martyrs in
the long line list of those who had suffered for the sacred cause of
liberty. The police vultures and master vultures were not content until
they had got Byrne into prison. He had been thrown into a cold, damp,
mouldy cell, but while in prison, so contemptuous had he been of those who
put him there that he had refused food and drink. If their murdered comrade
could send them a message it would be to go on with the fight for the
sacred cause of liberty, even if it brought them hunger, misery, eviction
and even death itself, as it had done Byrne."
Fast-forward to 1996 and research carried out by Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown
Heritage Society came across the details and burial place of James Byrne,
which was believed to be unmarked. Indeed PádraigYeates the former Irish
Times Industrial Correspondent wrote as much in his excellent analysis of
the times in his book Lock-Out Dublin 1913. On 3rd November that year trade
union activists employed in the Dún Laoghaire area laid a wreath at the
spot were James Byrne was buried. In 2002 a joint SIPTU/IMPACT committee
was established with the purpose of erecting a fitting memorial to James
Byrne. The purpose of the formation of the committee was for the erection
of a fitting memorial at the last resting place of James Byrne. It was
decide to place a small hand painted wooden cross at the site while
organising for the erection of a more permanent Headstone. During the
course of clearing area of Byrne¹s grave, the original headstone was found
nearby under some bramble bushes and although cracked and in bad repair it
belied the believe held by all concerned that Byrne had lain in an unmarked
grave. Accordingly this original headstone was sent off to the Monumental
Sculptors for cleaning and repair and will be incorporated into the new
memorial. Interestingly this original headstone only mentions James Byrne
but research has proven that a number of relatives also lie in this plot.
Their details too will be included on the new memorial. The new memorial
will be unveiled by Des Geraghty, President of SIPTU on Saturday 1st
November 2003, the 90th Anniversary of James Byrnes > death. We will
assemble at the gates of Deansgrange cemetery at 2pm and walk the short
distance to the burial spot of one of Dún Laoghaire¹s most prominent, but
least known sons. Everyone is welcome and all trade union activists are
especially encouraged to attend. (By Jason Mc Lean.
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ONCE MORE ON THE SUNDAY WORLD
A couple of weeks ago the Sunday World, Northern edition carried a story by
Paula Mackin on the running down and killing of a protestant man in North
Queen Street in North Belfast. The killing was carried out by nationalist
hoods.. In the course of her article Mackin alleged that one of the hoods
was a well- known republican with connections to the INLA. In the immediate
aftermath of the killing misinformation was also deliberately circulated by
another republican group that the driver of the car was an INLA member. The
reality is different. Another republican group had claimed one of the
three hoods involved as a member in the past and the INLA in North Belfast
had issued three thousand leaflets in Ardoyne, the Bone, the Oldpark and
Ligoneil areas of North Belfast putting the record straight on the alleged
INLA membership of the hood. No member of the INLA was involved in the
running down of the man.
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THE WAR INDUSTRY IN NORTHERN IRELAND
The Northern Ireland Aerospace Consortium (NIAC) consists of Bombardier
Aerospace, Creative Composites, Denroy Plastics Ltd, John Huddleston
Engineering, Langford Lodge Engineering Co.MC Gill Corporation Europe,
Maydown Precision Engineering, Moyola Precision Engineering, N.I.
Technology Centre, Project Design Engineers, Raytheon Systems, Spirent
Systems, Springco NI, Survivtec, Thales Air Defence and TRW Aeronautical
Systems.
Raytheon Systems produce some of the software used in Tomahawk missiles
which were fired in Iraq and was welcomed to Derry by Nobel peace prize
winners, John Hume and David Trimble who both signed up to the Good Friday
Agreement and agreed
"Total and absolute commitment to exclusively democratic and peaceful means
of resolving differences on political issues and our opposition to any use
or threat of force by others for any political purpose whether in regard to
this agreement or otherwise."
NIAC has been supported by the N.I Executive when it was operating. Invest
NI which is answerable to the Trade and Enterprise Minister (when the NI.
Assembly is working) actively sponsored NIAC's participation in the Paris
and Farnborough Air Shows. Encouraging the development of the war industry
is not total and absolute commitment to peaceful means of resolving
differences. So the next time we hear Trimble or Reg Empy talk about
breaches of ceasefires etc remember their support for the war industries.
(Information from 'Northern Ireland and the International Arms Trade' by
John Barry in ³The New Irelander Autumn 2003 Number 17)
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ON EDUCATION IN THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
17th September 2003
There is a scandalous shortage of trained teachers in Primary education in
the Republic of Ireland. For too long the Irish people have endured a
situation whereby anyone could stand in front of a primary classroom.
The Primary Teachers union in the South the INT0 will refuse to work
alongside unqualified personnel in schools beyond September 2005. In an
effort to be constructive in dealing with the teacher shortage the INT0
demanded ³greater flexibility in the delivery of graduate courses including
the provision of modular courses through distance and e learning.² The INTO
requested on several occasions in the past two years that the Department of
Education and Science would enter into discussions with the colleges with a
view to establishing post graduate modular courses on teacher education.
No discussions have not taken place in spite of repeated requests for such
a meeting by the colleges of education. The shortage of trained teachers
only highlights the tremendous work undertaken by the existing teaching
profession. Irish schools and teachers are delivering top quality education
in spite of inadequate funding, large class sizes not enough support for
the disadvantage, the shortage of trained personnel, and the poor quality
of school buildings
The recent OECD Report which compares education in 45 countries (30 OECD
countries and 15 non-OECD countries) shows that the richer we have become
in Ireland the less proportionally we spend on education. The gap between
primary school funding and third level spending is clear. Ireland spends
the same as other countries at third level yet at primary level it spends
half of what Austria Denmark and Sweden spend. Ireland spends about 11,000
euro per year on each third level student and only 3,000 on each primary
child. Historic under investment in primary schools, a fact acknowledged by
the Department of Education and Science, is one reason why Irish children
are being taught in dilapidated schools. These buildings are clear examples
of where the Irish government falls down in its support for education. But
lower expenditure does not mean below average quality in schools. Ireland
along with Australia, Finland, Korea and the United Kingdom have low or
moderate expenditure on education per student at primary level and yet are
among the OECD countries with the highest levels of performance by pupils
in key subject areas. Parents and teachers who fundraise to make up the
shortfall are bailing out the government.
Average class size in Ireland is 24.5. This figure hides the range of
class sizes that can be found in Irish primary schools, which can still
contain 30 or more pupils. The average class size in Ireland is higher
than the average across OECD countries where the comparable figure is 22.0.
Lowest average class sizes are found in Luxembourg
(15.5), Iceland (17.3), Italy (18.2) and Norway 19.3.
In addition Ireland is one of the few countries where class size decreases
as children move from primary to second level. In most countries the number
of pupils per class tends to increase as children move from primary to 2nd
level in some states by as many as four students. Only in Ireland, UK,
Denmark, Switzerland and Australia do the class sizes drop.
When all non-class teaching staff is included (administrative principals,
learning support etc.) Irish staffing levels at primary are still well
below OECD standards. In Ireland there are 20 pupils to every teacher
while the OECD average is 17. At second level there are 15 pupils to every
teacher compared to an OECD average of 14.5.
At primary level in Ireland pupils receive 915 hours of teaching time per
year. This compares with an OECD average of 747 for 7 - 8 year olds and
813 for 9 - 11 year olds. The length of the Irish primary school year is
one of the longest in the OECD exceeded only by Australia, Italy and Scotland.
Irish children score well in literacy tests being out scored only by
Finnish pupils. They do less well in Mathematics, coming 15th out of 27
countries. One reason for these scores is that in primary schools there is
learning support for pupils with reading difficulties but none for children
with mathematics difficulties. This needs to be addressed as a matter of
urgency. There are children in university today who have benefited from
learning support in the area of literacy. The same service needs to be
available to children with mathematics difficulties.
(Source INTO)
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REPUBLICAN WORKERS EXECUTED IN 1803
(Patriot / Trade / Disposition)
Edward Kearney / Carpenter / Hanged, Thomas St.
Owen Kirwin / Tailor / Hanged, Thomas St., Sept. 1st 1803
Maxwell Roche / Slator / Hanged, Thomas St., Sept. 2nd 1803
Denis Lambert Redmond / Coal Facer / Hanged, Coalquay, Woodquay
John Killeen / Carpenter / Hanged, Thomas St., Sept. 10th1803
John McCann / Shoemaker / Hanged at his own doorstep, Thomas St., Sept. 10th 1803
Felix Rourke / Farm Labourer / Hanged, Rathcoole, Sept. 10th 1803
Thomas Keenan / Carpenter / Hanged, Thomas St., Sept. 11th 1803
John Hayes / Carpenter / Hanged, Thomas St., Sept. 17th 1803
Michael Kelly / Carpenter / Hanged, Thomas St., Sept. 17th 1803
James Byrne / Baker / Hanged, Townsend St., Sept. 17th 1803
John Begg / Tailor / Hanged, Palmerstown, Sept. 17th 1803
Nicholas Tyrrell / Factory Worker / Hanged, Palmerstown, Sept. 17th 1803
Henry Howley / Carpenter / Hanged, Kilmainham Jail, Sept. 20th 1803
John McIntoch / Carpenter / Hanged, Patrick St., Oct. 3rd 1803
These names were taken from a plague located at St. Catherine's Church at
the lane off Thomas Street. The plaque was unveiled by Michael Mullen,
General Secretary of the Irish Transport and General Workers Union on
behalf of the Dublin History Workshop, September 1980.
Our thanks to Jack Hyland, trade union activist, retired shop steward in
Dominic Dolan's in Dublin and member of the Dublin No. 12 Branch of the
Irish Transport & General Workers Union and to Barbara Kelly of the
Services, Industrial, Professional and Technical Union for providing this
information.
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Robert Emmet, September 29, 1803
[From the Speech on the the eve of his execution
The Speech from the Dock
Extracts from Robert Emmet's speech on the eve of his execution.
I appeal to the immaculate God--I swear by the throne of heaven, before
which I must shortly appear--by the blood of the murdered patriots who have
gone before me that my conduct has been through all this peril and all my
purposes governed only by the convictions which I have uttered, and by no
other view than that of their cure, and the emancipation of my country from
the super inhuman oppression under which she has so long and too patiently
travailed; and that I confidently and assuredly hope that, wild and
chimerical as it may appear, there is still union and strength in Ireland
to accomplish this noble enterprise.-
I am charged with being an emissary of France An emissary of France? And
for what end? It is alleged that I wished to sell the independence of my
country? And for what end? Was this the object of my ambition? And is this
the mode by which a tribunal of justice reconciles contradictions? No, I am
no emissary; and my ambition was to hold a place among the deliverers of my
country--not in power, nor in profit, but in the glory of the achievement!...
Connection with France was indeed intended, but only as far as mutual
interest would sanction or require. Were they to assume any authority
inconsistent with the purest independence. it would be the signal for their
destruction: we sought aid, and we sought it, as we had assurances we
should obtain it--as auxiliaries in war and allies in peace...
I wished to procure for my country the guarantee which Washington procured
for America. To procure an aid, which, by its example, would be as
important as its valor, disciplined. gallant, pregnant with science and
experience; which would perceive the good and polish the rough points of
our character. They would come to us as strangers and leave us as friends,
after sharing in our perils and elevating our destiny. These were my
objects--not to receive new taskmasters hilt to expel old tyrants: these
were my views. and these only became Irishmen. It was for these ends I
sought aid from France; because France, even as an enemy could not be more
implacable than the enemy already in the bosom of my country
There are men engaged in this conspiracy, who are not only superior to me
but even to your own conceptions of yourself, my lord; men, before the
splendor of whose genius and virtues, I should bow with respectful
deference, and who would think themselves dishonored to be called your
friend--who would not disgrace themselves by shaking your bloodstained hand--
I do not fear to approach the omnipotent Judge, to answer for the conduct
of my whole life; and am I to be appalled and falsified by a mere remnant
of mortality here? By you. too. who, if it were possible to collect all the
innocent blood that you have shed in your unhallowed ministry, in one great
reservoir Your Lordship might swim in it.
Let no man dare, when I am dead. to charge me with dishonor; let no man
attaint my memory by believing that I could have engaged in any cause but
that of my country's liberty and independence, or that I could have become
the pliant minion of power in the oppression or the miseries of my
countrymen. The proclamation of the provisional government speaks for our
views; no inference can he tortured from it to countenance barbarity or
debasement at home, or subjection. humiliation. or treachery from abroad; I
would not have submitted to a foreign oppressor for the same reason that I
would resist the foreign and domestic oppressor: in the dignity of freedom
I would have fought upon the threshold of my country, and its enemy should
enter only by passing over my lifeless corpse. Am I, who lived but for my
country, and who have subjected myself to the dangers of the jealous and
watchful oppressor, and the bondage of the grave, only to give my
countrymen their rights, and my country her independence, and am I to be
loaded with calumny and not suffered to resent or repel it--no, God forbid!-
I have but a few words more to say. I am going to my cold and silent grave:
my lamp of life is nearly extinguished: my race is run: the grave opens to
receive me, and I sink into its bosom! I have but one request to ask at my
departure from this world--it is the charity of its silence! Let no man
write my epitaph: for as no man who knows my motives dare now vindicate
them. Let not prejudice or ignorance asperse them. Let them and me repose
in obscurity and peace, and my tomb remain uninscribed, until other times,
and other men, can do justice to my character; when my country takes her
place among the nations of the earth, then, and not till then, let my
epitaph be written. I have done.
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FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Robert Emmet
A commemoration to mark the 200th Anniversary of the execution of Robert
Emmet will be held in Dublin on Saturday, September 20th next; the
procession will assemble at the Garden of Remembrance in Parnell Square at
1.30 pm and march to St Catherine's Church in Thomas Street, where those
present will be addressed by author Seán Ó Brádaigh. (From R.S.F.)
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The 3rd All Ireland Social Forum Gathering
Cooperation not Competition
Human Rights Not Privatisation
Sunday, September 21st
10:30-5:30, followed by evening social events
Crescent Arts Centre, 2-4 University Rd.
Belfast
The NEISF is organising a one-day event under the title 'Cooperation not
Competition, Human Rights not Privatisation'. The event will examine issues
of privatisation, neo-liberalism, human rights, peace and democracy. The
gathering will also discuss the future development of the Irish Social
Forum and its European and World counterparts. This event is open to all
those involved in the evolving Irish Social Forum networks, all those who
are opposed to neo liberalism, privatisation and global capitalism and all
those who believe that 'another world is possible.'
Agenda
Morning Plenary Discussion: 10.30 - 12.00
Neo-Liberalism - From the local to the global
Communities Against Water Tax (Manus Maguire), Fire brigades Union (Jim
Barbour), ICTU (Alisa Keane), Refugee Rights (Refugee Action Group). Chair
(Emily Kawano)
Morning Workshops: 12.15 - 1.45
Workshops on
- Trade justice
- Anti war
- Another world is possible
- Poverty
- Ireland in the global economy
- Consensus facilitation skills
- Ghandi¹s
- Open
- Open
- Open
Lunch: 1.45 - 2.45
Food Not Bombs
Lunch will take the form of a public food Not Bombs event at the Venue.
Afternoon Discussion: 3.00 - 5.30
The Future of the ISF
The agenda of this session will not be set until one week before the event.
Participants should feel free to e-mail their suggestions or issues they
would like to discuss by September 15th. Possible elements to the session
could be:
- Reports from regional social forums
- Workshops on specific themes such as ISF national structure, priorities etc.
- Open plenary to discuss workshop report backs and decision making on way
forward
Social Event: 7.00
Theatre followed by,
World Music Disco, with resident DJ Steve Mc in Crescent Arts Centre
Additional Details
For more information or to suggest topics for workshops or the afternoon ISF
Session contact:
Eoin O'Broin at [email protected]
John Barry at [email protected]
Emily Kawano at [email protected]
Childcare
If you would like to register for childcare provided on-site, please rsvp
to Emily Kawano, [email protected] or phone 9060 5091. Please provide name
and age of each child, special needs and your contact details. There may be
a small fee charged per child (approx. £3-£5). Spaces are limited, so
please reply ASAP.
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BREAKING THE SILENCE: TRUTH AND LIES IN THE WAR ON TERROR
A film by JOHN PILGER
Monday, 22 September on ITV at 10.45pm-John Pilger's latest documentary for
Carlton Television, "Breaking the Silence: Truth and lies in the war on
terror". Pilger and his team filmed in Afghanistan and the United States
and acquired previously unseen material from Iraq. The film investigates
George W Bush's "war on terror". In "liberated"
Afghanistan, America has its military base and pipeline access, while the
people have the warlords who are, says one women, "in many ways worse than
the Taliban".
In Washington, a series of remarkable interviews includes senior Bush
officials and former intelligence officers. In the week that the Hutton
inquiry into the death of the British scientist Dr David Kelly releases its
report, a former senior CIA official tells Pilger that the whole issue of
weapons of mass destruction was "95 per cent charade".
from Stephen McCloskey-Co-ordinator-One World Centre for Northern Ireland-4
Lower Crescent-Belfast
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IRSP General Belfast meeting
Tuesday September 23rd 2003-09-11
Open to all Party members sympathisers and friends.
Agenda.
The Current Political Situation-the impact of the GFA-Assembly elections
-policing
What is Republican Socialism?- our roots-where we are today-where do we
want to go?
For more details contact [email protected] or ring 028-9032-1024
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International Day of Action
Dublin/Belfast
Saturday 27TH
September march against the War
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The Annual Seamus Costello Anniversary Commemoration will take place on
Sunday 5th of October, Assembly Point Old Town Hall Little Bray. March and
Rally with Band and Colour Party. Main Speaker will be Ex Political
Prisoner and Blanket man, IRSP Ard Comhairle Member, Paul Little.
Seamus Costello Remembered
26th Anniversary Commemoration
Organized By the IRSP Commemoration Committee. Contact and Transport
Details, Contact Daithi on 0877570109 or [email protected] All Welcome.
"I Owe My allegiance to the Working Class" Seamus Costello
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GEORGE MONBIOT
George Monbiot, a regular feature writer in The Guardian, is the author of
Captive State and The Age of Consent. The One World Centre, The New Ireland
Group and The de Borda Institute have organised the following events:
1 GEORGE MONBIOT The 2nd One World Centre annual lecture, 12 noon to 2
p.m., Thursday 9th October, Room G07, Peter Frogatt Building, Queen¹s
University. Everyone welcome.
Further information available from The One World Centre, 4 Lower Crescent,
Belfast BT7 1NR, Tel 90241879, e-mail [email protected]
2 GEORGE MONBIOT ³Unionism, Nationalism or Globalisation?² 7.30 for
7.45 p.m. on Thursday 9th October, in The Elmwood Hall, Belfast Tickets £5
(concessions £2.50), includes a free glass of organic wine from the Belfast
Food Co-op.
Tickets and further information available from either The New Ireland
Group, 7 Slievedarragh Park, Belfast BT14 8J
[email protected] or The de Borda Institute, 36 Ballysillan
Road, Belfast BT14 7QQ [email protected]
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Subject: Talk on Guyana
GUYANA: COMMENTS ON A DIVIDED SOCIETY
Speaker: Michael Mahadeo
Venue: One World Centre (4 Lower Crescent, Belfast - off Botanic Avenue)
Date: Wednesday, 8 October 2003
Time: 7.30pm
Everyone Welcome
Stephen McCloskey, Co-ordinator
One World Centre for Northern Ireland
4 Lower Crescent
Belfast
BT7 1NR 028 9024 1879
www.owcni.org.uk <http://www.owcni.org.uk>
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Amnesty International Annual Lecture 2003
Xanana Gusmão,
President of East Timor
Peace, justice and reconciliation
Queen's University Belfast, G06
Thursday 16th October, 7pm
All welcome
Admission free but by ticket only
Supported by QUB Human Rights Centre
To book tickets, tel 028 9064 3000 / email: [email protected]
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James Byrne Commemoration Committee
1st November 2003-09-11 Monument Unveiling & 90th Anniversary Commemoration
Assemble 2pm Main Entrance Deansgrange Cemetery, Deansgrange, Co. Dublin,
Ireland. The newly-commissioned monument over the grave of Trade
Union >Martyr, James Byrne, District Organiser, ITG&WU, who died on 1st
November 1913 following a hunger & thirst strike during the Great >Lock-Out
1913 will be unveiled by Des Geraghty, President, SIPTU. All trade
unionists, political activists and members of the Public welcome!
[No Party Political Banners, please!]
The James Byrne Commemoration Committee has organised the erection of a
fitting memorial over the grave in Deansgrange Cemetery [Co. Dublin,
Ireland] of James Byrne, a trade union martyr who died on 1st November 1913
as a result of the effects of a hunger and thirst strike during
imprisonment for his role in the Great Lock-Out of that year. James was
District Organiser of the Irish Transport & General Workers Union and held
leadership roles in both Bray and Kingstown [Dún Laoghaire] Trades Councils.
In the course of James Byrne¹s funeral oration James Connolly said:
²James Byrne truly died a martyr as any man who ever died for Ireland²
The Committee believes that the monument is a fitting tribute to James
Byrne and hopes that his grave may become a place of pilgrimage and source
of inspiration for trade unionists and socialists in the future. We are
particularly pleased that the descendents of James Byrne are fully
supportive of the work of the Committee.
Jason Mc Lean. PRO- James Byrne Commemoration Committee.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
European Social Forum Paris, St Denis 12-15 November
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- E-mail newsletter of the Irish Republican Socialist Party -
Number 6
Date: 19th September 2003
1. Loyalist watch
2. Job Losses
3. Price-Waterhouse Coopers Report
4. Dún Laoghaire¹s 1913 Lockout Martyr
5. Once more on the Sunday World
6. The War Industry in Northern Ireland
7. On Education In The Republic of Ireland
8. The 1803 rebellion - Republican workers executed in 1803
9. The Speech from the Dock - Robert Emmett.
10. What's On
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LOYALIST WATCH.
Sunday14th September. A 200 strong mob of loyalist protesters jeered
whistles threw objects and spat at Catholics attending a blessing of the
Graves in Carnmoney cemetery. This mob of low lifers came from the
Rathcoole estate and later two cars were burned out as the mob rioted. The
local parish priest Father Dan Whyte was informed by the PSNI (Police
Service of Northern Ireland)/RUC that his life was under threat from the
Loyalist Action Force. This followed the daubing of paint on the local
Catholic Church and the smashing of Catholic graves by the loyalists.
On Sunday evening two catholic families were attacked in the Deerpark Road
in North Belfast. A lump of tarmac was thrown through the living room
window of one house and through he bedroom window of another house. In
previous weeks the local UDA had orchestrated attacks on other catholic
families in this mixed area.
Monday 15th September
A local Ulster Unionist Party Councillor, Ivan Hunter said of Father Whyte, he
"has an agenda that we don¹t seem to be getting to the bottom of."*the
catholic church in Carnmoney "made a determined effort to segregate and
sectarianise Carnmoney. *The very fact that he didn¹t remove the graffiti
on church doors shows he has an agenda." Hunter is a member of David
Trimble¹s Party, which signed up to the Good Friday Agreement. So much for
parity of esteem. David Trimble has subsequently defended the comments of
Hunter
Pipe bombs were found at two catholic schools in Dungiven and Limavady
forcing both schools to be evacuated. Explosives were in both pipe bombs.
Wednesday 17th The Boys Model School received a bomb scare forcing the
school to be evacuated. The Bomb scare was allegedly from the CIRA.
Thursday 18th Loyalists extended their campaign against Catholic
schools and six had bomb scares to contend with. One of those was outside
Belfast in Larne where there has been a sustained campaign by loyalists to
drive out Catholics from the whole town.
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JOB LOSSES IN IRELAND.
640 job losses announced by the US company 3com in Blanchardstown (ROI)
315 job losses by Sneider in Celbridge. (ROI)
30 jobs lost at CCC Technology, in the Spring Bank industrial estate in
Poleglass, (NI) as the parent company in the USA filed for bankruptcy. When
it was opened in 1996 it received approximately £ 1.6 million in state
aid. Another company called Europa Tools based across from CCC Technology
closed last year although it had received £3.2 million.
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EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR THE PREVENTION OF TORTURE
The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture have expressed grave
concerns about the ill treatment of people in Garda custody. Allegations
included blows with batons, kicks and punches to various parts of the body.
The allegations had 'credibility' and were backed up by medical evidence
although complaints were ignored by judges.
When brought to their attention. Most of the recommendations made by the
Committee were also made in 1995 and 1998 but were then ignored. It is
likely this also will be ignored. While a lot of attention has been rightly
focused on the PSNI/RUC it should never be forgotten just how vicious and
corrupt the Garda are. We have only to mention the ŒHeavy gang¹ of the
seventies, the goings on in Donegal in the nineties and the petty
harassment of small businesses in Dublin who don¹t see the benefit of
kitting out the local Gardai.
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PRICE-WATERHOUSE COOPERS REPORT
A recent report issues by PwC spells out the reality facing the Northern
Ireland economy. Although the economy is relatively prosperous much of that
has been because of massive increases in Government spending in health,
education transport and administration. Indeed about 60% of the Gross
Domestic Product is accounted for by public sector expenditure. The
Northern Ireland economy is more dependent than any other region on public
spending and thus will be very vulnerable to cuts in public spending which
are forecast for after the next election. While shops and warehouses are
opening up factories are closing. There are now less than 100,000 people
working in manufacturing which is the lowest figure ever recorded.
Manufacturing now accounts for only 17% of economic activity in the
North. Graduates are now working in jobs that require no degrees and the
growth in call centres parallels a growth in sweatshop conditions.
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DÚN LAOGHAIRE'S 1913 LOCKOUT MARYTR.
Near the Republican plot in Deansgrange cemetery lie the remains of one of
Dún Laoghaire¹s forgotten sons. James Byrne was born and reared at 5
Clarence Street, Kingstown {Dún Laoghaire} and inspired by the leadership
of James Connolly & Jim Larkin he became an active trade unionist in the
ITGWU. By the time of the Great Lock Out of 1913, Byrne was a thirty eight
year old married father of six was Secretary of Bray & Kingstown {Dún
Laoghaire} Trades Council and also the Kingstown {Dún Laoghaire} ITGWU
Branch Secretary. The 1913 Lock Out was the most significant and tragic
era of trade union history ever witnessed in Ireland. The mood and tragedy
of that time is captured brilliantly in James Plunkett¹s serial drama
Strumpet City currently showing on Sunday evenings on RTE. Trade Unionists
from up to 45 different unions combined against the might of Dublin
Employers, led by William Martin Murphy, owner of the Irish Independent and
director of the United Tramways Company, the principal source of public
transport in the capital at the time. The reason for this confrontation was
simple; the refusal of Murphy and other¹s to employ trade union
members. James Byrne was arrested and falsely charged with ³intimidation²
of a tram-worker on October 20th 1913 by the Dublin Metropolitan Police,
and remanded to Mountjoy prison. While there he embarked on a hunger and
thirst strike in protest at the refusal of bail. After a number of days the
British government gave in and Byrne was released on bail awaiting trial.
However due to the conditions prevailing in the jail at the time and helped
in no way by his hunger and thirst strike he caught pneumonia from which he
died in Monkstown Hospital a mere two weeks since first arrested. On the
3rd November 1913 James Byrne was laid to rest. Up to 3,000 people along
with 25 mourning coaches and cabs accompanied by two trade union bands left
Byrnes home at 1pm for the funeral walk. The procession took two hours to
reach Deansgrange due to its size. Many of those attending had travelled
on special trains from Dublin City Centre. It was reported in newspapers at
the time that many houses had their blinds drawn and many shops closed in
respect to Byrne. It was also reported that due to size of the procession
the tram service was held up for nearly an hour, a tragic irony considering
why Byrne had been imprisoned. Again, due to the size of the cortege the
funeral oration by James Connolly was delivered from the roof of a cab. He
is quoted as saying
"That their comrade had been murdered as surely as any of the martyrs in
the long line list of those who had suffered for the sacred cause of
liberty. The police vultures and master vultures were not content until
they had got Byrne into prison. He had been thrown into a cold, damp,
mouldy cell, but while in prison, so contemptuous had he been of those who
put him there that he had refused food and drink. If their murdered comrade
could send them a message it would be to go on with the fight for the
sacred cause of liberty, even if it brought them hunger, misery, eviction
and even death itself, as it had done Byrne."
Fast-forward to 1996 and research carried out by Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown
Heritage Society came across the details and burial place of James Byrne,
which was believed to be unmarked. Indeed PádraigYeates the former Irish
Times Industrial Correspondent wrote as much in his excellent analysis of
the times in his book Lock-Out Dublin 1913. On 3rd November that year trade
union activists employed in the Dún Laoghaire area laid a wreath at the
spot were James Byrne was buried. In 2002 a joint SIPTU/IMPACT committee
was established with the purpose of erecting a fitting memorial to James
Byrne. The purpose of the formation of the committee was for the erection
of a fitting memorial at the last resting place of James Byrne. It was
decide to place a small hand painted wooden cross at the site while
organising for the erection of a more permanent Headstone. During the
course of clearing area of Byrne¹s grave, the original headstone was found
nearby under some bramble bushes and although cracked and in bad repair it
belied the believe held by all concerned that Byrne had lain in an unmarked
grave. Accordingly this original headstone was sent off to the Monumental
Sculptors for cleaning and repair and will be incorporated into the new
memorial. Interestingly this original headstone only mentions James Byrne
but research has proven that a number of relatives also lie in this plot.
Their details too will be included on the new memorial. The new memorial
will be unveiled by Des Geraghty, President of SIPTU on Saturday 1st
November 2003, the 90th Anniversary of James Byrnes > death. We will
assemble at the gates of Deansgrange cemetery at 2pm and walk the short
distance to the burial spot of one of Dún Laoghaire¹s most prominent, but
least known sons. Everyone is welcome and all trade union activists are
especially encouraged to attend. (By Jason Mc Lean.
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ONCE MORE ON THE SUNDAY WORLD
A couple of weeks ago the Sunday World, Northern edition carried a story by
Paula Mackin on the running down and killing of a protestant man in North
Queen Street in North Belfast. The killing was carried out by nationalist
hoods.. In the course of her article Mackin alleged that one of the hoods
was a well- known republican with connections to the INLA. In the immediate
aftermath of the killing misinformation was also deliberately circulated by
another republican group that the driver of the car was an INLA member. The
reality is different. Another republican group had claimed one of the
three hoods involved as a member in the past and the INLA in North Belfast
had issued three thousand leaflets in Ardoyne, the Bone, the Oldpark and
Ligoneil areas of North Belfast putting the record straight on the alleged
INLA membership of the hood. No member of the INLA was involved in the
running down of the man.
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THE WAR INDUSTRY IN NORTHERN IRELAND
The Northern Ireland Aerospace Consortium (NIAC) consists of Bombardier
Aerospace, Creative Composites, Denroy Plastics Ltd, John Huddleston
Engineering, Langford Lodge Engineering Co.MC Gill Corporation Europe,
Maydown Precision Engineering, Moyola Precision Engineering, N.I.
Technology Centre, Project Design Engineers, Raytheon Systems, Spirent
Systems, Springco NI, Survivtec, Thales Air Defence and TRW Aeronautical
Systems.
Raytheon Systems produce some of the software used in Tomahawk missiles
which were fired in Iraq and was welcomed to Derry by Nobel peace prize
winners, John Hume and David Trimble who both signed up to the Good Friday
Agreement and agreed
"Total and absolute commitment to exclusively democratic and peaceful means
of resolving differences on political issues and our opposition to any use
or threat of force by others for any political purpose whether in regard to
this agreement or otherwise."
NIAC has been supported by the N.I Executive when it was operating. Invest
NI which is answerable to the Trade and Enterprise Minister (when the NI.
Assembly is working) actively sponsored NIAC's participation in the Paris
and Farnborough Air Shows. Encouraging the development of the war industry
is not total and absolute commitment to peaceful means of resolving
differences. So the next time we hear Trimble or Reg Empy talk about
breaches of ceasefires etc remember their support for the war industries.
(Information from 'Northern Ireland and the International Arms Trade' by
John Barry in ³The New Irelander Autumn 2003 Number 17)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ON EDUCATION IN THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
17th September 2003
There is a scandalous shortage of trained teachers in Primary education in
the Republic of Ireland. For too long the Irish people have endured a
situation whereby anyone could stand in front of a primary classroom.
The Primary Teachers union in the South the INT0 will refuse to work
alongside unqualified personnel in schools beyond September 2005. In an
effort to be constructive in dealing with the teacher shortage the INT0
demanded ³greater flexibility in the delivery of graduate courses including
the provision of modular courses through distance and e learning.² The INTO
requested on several occasions in the past two years that the Department of
Education and Science would enter into discussions with the colleges with a
view to establishing post graduate modular courses on teacher education.
No discussions have not taken place in spite of repeated requests for such
a meeting by the colleges of education. The shortage of trained teachers
only highlights the tremendous work undertaken by the existing teaching
profession. Irish schools and teachers are delivering top quality education
in spite of inadequate funding, large class sizes not enough support for
the disadvantage, the shortage of trained personnel, and the poor quality
of school buildings
The recent OECD Report which compares education in 45 countries (30 OECD
countries and 15 non-OECD countries) shows that the richer we have become
in Ireland the less proportionally we spend on education. The gap between
primary school funding and third level spending is clear. Ireland spends
the same as other countries at third level yet at primary level it spends
half of what Austria Denmark and Sweden spend. Ireland spends about 11,000
euro per year on each third level student and only 3,000 on each primary
child. Historic under investment in primary schools, a fact acknowledged by
the Department of Education and Science, is one reason why Irish children
are being taught in dilapidated schools. These buildings are clear examples
of where the Irish government falls down in its support for education. But
lower expenditure does not mean below average quality in schools. Ireland
along with Australia, Finland, Korea and the United Kingdom have low or
moderate expenditure on education per student at primary level and yet are
among the OECD countries with the highest levels of performance by pupils
in key subject areas. Parents and teachers who fundraise to make up the
shortfall are bailing out the government.
Average class size in Ireland is 24.5. This figure hides the range of
class sizes that can be found in Irish primary schools, which can still
contain 30 or more pupils. The average class size in Ireland is higher
than the average across OECD countries where the comparable figure is 22.0.
Lowest average class sizes are found in Luxembourg
(15.5), Iceland (17.3), Italy (18.2) and Norway 19.3.
In addition Ireland is one of the few countries where class size decreases
as children move from primary to second level. In most countries the number
of pupils per class tends to increase as children move from primary to 2nd
level in some states by as many as four students. Only in Ireland, UK,
Denmark, Switzerland and Australia do the class sizes drop.
When all non-class teaching staff is included (administrative principals,
learning support etc.) Irish staffing levels at primary are still well
below OECD standards. In Ireland there are 20 pupils to every teacher
while the OECD average is 17. At second level there are 15 pupils to every
teacher compared to an OECD average of 14.5.
At primary level in Ireland pupils receive 915 hours of teaching time per
year. This compares with an OECD average of 747 for 7 - 8 year olds and
813 for 9 - 11 year olds. The length of the Irish primary school year is
one of the longest in the OECD exceeded only by Australia, Italy and Scotland.
Irish children score well in literacy tests being out scored only by
Finnish pupils. They do less well in Mathematics, coming 15th out of 27
countries. One reason for these scores is that in primary schools there is
learning support for pupils with reading difficulties but none for children
with mathematics difficulties. This needs to be addressed as a matter of
urgency. There are children in university today who have benefited from
learning support in the area of literacy. The same service needs to be
available to children with mathematics difficulties.
(Source INTO)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REPUBLICAN WORKERS EXECUTED IN 1803
(Patriot / Trade / Disposition)
Edward Kearney / Carpenter / Hanged, Thomas St.
Owen Kirwin / Tailor / Hanged, Thomas St., Sept. 1st 1803
Maxwell Roche / Slator / Hanged, Thomas St., Sept. 2nd 1803
Denis Lambert Redmond / Coal Facer / Hanged, Coalquay, Woodquay
John Killeen / Carpenter / Hanged, Thomas St., Sept. 10th1803
John McCann / Shoemaker / Hanged at his own doorstep, Thomas St., Sept. 10th 1803
Felix Rourke / Farm Labourer / Hanged, Rathcoole, Sept. 10th 1803
Thomas Keenan / Carpenter / Hanged, Thomas St., Sept. 11th 1803
John Hayes / Carpenter / Hanged, Thomas St., Sept. 17th 1803
Michael Kelly / Carpenter / Hanged, Thomas St., Sept. 17th 1803
James Byrne / Baker / Hanged, Townsend St., Sept. 17th 1803
John Begg / Tailor / Hanged, Palmerstown, Sept. 17th 1803
Nicholas Tyrrell / Factory Worker / Hanged, Palmerstown, Sept. 17th 1803
Henry Howley / Carpenter / Hanged, Kilmainham Jail, Sept. 20th 1803
John McIntoch / Carpenter / Hanged, Patrick St., Oct. 3rd 1803
These names were taken from a plague located at St. Catherine's Church at
the lane off Thomas Street. The plaque was unveiled by Michael Mullen,
General Secretary of the Irish Transport and General Workers Union on
behalf of the Dublin History Workshop, September 1980.
Our thanks to Jack Hyland, trade union activist, retired shop steward in
Dominic Dolan's in Dublin and member of the Dublin No. 12 Branch of the
Irish Transport & General Workers Union and to Barbara Kelly of the
Services, Industrial, Professional and Technical Union for providing this
information.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert Emmet, September 29, 1803
[From the Speech on the the eve of his execution
The Speech from the Dock
Extracts from Robert Emmet's speech on the eve of his execution.
I appeal to the immaculate God--I swear by the throne of heaven, before
which I must shortly appear--by the blood of the murdered patriots who have
gone before me that my conduct has been through all this peril and all my
purposes governed only by the convictions which I have uttered, and by no
other view than that of their cure, and the emancipation of my country from
the super inhuman oppression under which she has so long and too patiently
travailed; and that I confidently and assuredly hope that, wild and
chimerical as it may appear, there is still union and strength in Ireland
to accomplish this noble enterprise.-
I am charged with being an emissary of France An emissary of France? And
for what end? It is alleged that I wished to sell the independence of my
country? And for what end? Was this the object of my ambition? And is this
the mode by which a tribunal of justice reconciles contradictions? No, I am
no emissary; and my ambition was to hold a place among the deliverers of my
country--not in power, nor in profit, but in the glory of the achievement!...
Connection with France was indeed intended, but only as far as mutual
interest would sanction or require. Were they to assume any authority
inconsistent with the purest independence. it would be the signal for their
destruction: we sought aid, and we sought it, as we had assurances we
should obtain it--as auxiliaries in war and allies in peace...
I wished to procure for my country the guarantee which Washington procured
for America. To procure an aid, which, by its example, would be as
important as its valor, disciplined. gallant, pregnant with science and
experience; which would perceive the good and polish the rough points of
our character. They would come to us as strangers and leave us as friends,
after sharing in our perils and elevating our destiny. These were my
objects--not to receive new taskmasters hilt to expel old tyrants: these
were my views. and these only became Irishmen. It was for these ends I
sought aid from France; because France, even as an enemy could not be more
implacable than the enemy already in the bosom of my country
There are men engaged in this conspiracy, who are not only superior to me
but even to your own conceptions of yourself, my lord; men, before the
splendor of whose genius and virtues, I should bow with respectful
deference, and who would think themselves dishonored to be called your
friend--who would not disgrace themselves by shaking your bloodstained hand--
I do not fear to approach the omnipotent Judge, to answer for the conduct
of my whole life; and am I to be appalled and falsified by a mere remnant
of mortality here? By you. too. who, if it were possible to collect all the
innocent blood that you have shed in your unhallowed ministry, in one great
reservoir Your Lordship might swim in it.
Let no man dare, when I am dead. to charge me with dishonor; let no man
attaint my memory by believing that I could have engaged in any cause but
that of my country's liberty and independence, or that I could have become
the pliant minion of power in the oppression or the miseries of my
countrymen. The proclamation of the provisional government speaks for our
views; no inference can he tortured from it to countenance barbarity or
debasement at home, or subjection. humiliation. or treachery from abroad; I
would not have submitted to a foreign oppressor for the same reason that I
would resist the foreign and domestic oppressor: in the dignity of freedom
I would have fought upon the threshold of my country, and its enemy should
enter only by passing over my lifeless corpse. Am I, who lived but for my
country, and who have subjected myself to the dangers of the jealous and
watchful oppressor, and the bondage of the grave, only to give my
countrymen their rights, and my country her independence, and am I to be
loaded with calumny and not suffered to resent or repel it--no, God forbid!-
I have but a few words more to say. I am going to my cold and silent grave:
my lamp of life is nearly extinguished: my race is run: the grave opens to
receive me, and I sink into its bosom! I have but one request to ask at my
departure from this world--it is the charity of its silence! Let no man
write my epitaph: for as no man who knows my motives dare now vindicate
them. Let not prejudice or ignorance asperse them. Let them and me repose
in obscurity and peace, and my tomb remain uninscribed, until other times,
and other men, can do justice to my character; when my country takes her
place among the nations of the earth, then, and not till then, let my
epitaph be written. I have done.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Robert Emmet
A commemoration to mark the 200th Anniversary of the execution of Robert
Emmet will be held in Dublin on Saturday, September 20th next; the
procession will assemble at the Garden of Remembrance in Parnell Square at
1.30 pm and march to St Catherine's Church in Thomas Street, where those
present will be addressed by author Seán Ó Brádaigh. (From R.S.F.)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The 3rd All Ireland Social Forum Gathering
Cooperation not Competition
Human Rights Not Privatisation
Sunday, September 21st
10:30-5:30, followed by evening social events
Crescent Arts Centre, 2-4 University Rd.
Belfast
The NEISF is organising a one-day event under the title 'Cooperation not
Competition, Human Rights not Privatisation'. The event will examine issues
of privatisation, neo-liberalism, human rights, peace and democracy. The
gathering will also discuss the future development of the Irish Social
Forum and its European and World counterparts. This event is open to all
those involved in the evolving Irish Social Forum networks, all those who
are opposed to neo liberalism, privatisation and global capitalism and all
those who believe that 'another world is possible.'
Agenda
Morning Plenary Discussion: 10.30 - 12.00
Neo-Liberalism - From the local to the global
Communities Against Water Tax (Manus Maguire), Fire brigades Union (Jim
Barbour), ICTU (Alisa Keane), Refugee Rights (Refugee Action Group). Chair
(Emily Kawano)
Morning Workshops: 12.15 - 1.45
Workshops on
- Trade justice
- Anti war
- Another world is possible
- Poverty
- Ireland in the global economy
- Consensus facilitation skills
- Ghandi¹s
- Open
- Open
- Open
Lunch: 1.45 - 2.45
Food Not Bombs
Lunch will take the form of a public food Not Bombs event at the Venue.
Afternoon Discussion: 3.00 - 5.30
The Future of the ISF
The agenda of this session will not be set until one week before the event.
Participants should feel free to e-mail their suggestions or issues they
would like to discuss by September 15th. Possible elements to the session
could be:
- Reports from regional social forums
- Workshops on specific themes such as ISF national structure, priorities etc.
- Open plenary to discuss workshop report backs and decision making on way
forward
Social Event: 7.00
Theatre followed by,
World Music Disco, with resident DJ Steve Mc in Crescent Arts Centre
Additional Details
For more information or to suggest topics for workshops or the afternoon ISF
Session contact:
Eoin O'Broin at [email protected]
John Barry at [email protected]
Emily Kawano at [email protected]
Childcare
If you would like to register for childcare provided on-site, please rsvp
to Emily Kawano, [email protected] or phone 9060 5091. Please provide name
and age of each child, special needs and your contact details. There may be
a small fee charged per child (approx. £3-£5). Spaces are limited, so
please reply ASAP.
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BREAKING THE SILENCE: TRUTH AND LIES IN THE WAR ON TERROR
A film by JOHN PILGER
Monday, 22 September on ITV at 10.45pm-John Pilger's latest documentary for
Carlton Television, "Breaking the Silence: Truth and lies in the war on
terror". Pilger and his team filmed in Afghanistan and the United States
and acquired previously unseen material from Iraq. The film investigates
George W Bush's "war on terror". In "liberated"
Afghanistan, America has its military base and pipeline access, while the
people have the warlords who are, says one women, "in many ways worse than
the Taliban".
In Washington, a series of remarkable interviews includes senior Bush
officials and former intelligence officers. In the week that the Hutton
inquiry into the death of the British scientist Dr David Kelly releases its
report, a former senior CIA official tells Pilger that the whole issue of
weapons of mass destruction was "95 per cent charade".
from Stephen McCloskey-Co-ordinator-One World Centre for Northern Ireland-4
Lower Crescent-Belfast
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IRSP General Belfast meeting
Tuesday September 23rd 2003-09-11
Open to all Party members sympathisers and friends.
Agenda.
The Current Political Situation-the impact of the GFA-Assembly elections
-policing
What is Republican Socialism?- our roots-where we are today-where do we
want to go?
For more details contact [email protected] or ring 028-9032-1024
------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Day of Action
Dublin/Belfast
Saturday 27TH
September march against the War
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Annual Seamus Costello Anniversary Commemoration will take place on
Sunday 5th of October, Assembly Point Old Town Hall Little Bray. March and
Rally with Band and Colour Party. Main Speaker will be Ex Political
Prisoner and Blanket man, IRSP Ard Comhairle Member, Paul Little.
Seamus Costello Remembered
26th Anniversary Commemoration
Organized By the IRSP Commemoration Committee. Contact and Transport
Details, Contact Daithi on 0877570109 or [email protected] All Welcome.
"I Owe My allegiance to the Working Class" Seamus Costello
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GEORGE MONBIOT
George Monbiot, a regular feature writer in The Guardian, is the author of
Captive State and The Age of Consent. The One World Centre, The New Ireland
Group and The de Borda Institute have organised the following events:
1 GEORGE MONBIOT The 2nd One World Centre annual lecture, 12 noon to 2
p.m., Thursday 9th October, Room G07, Peter Frogatt Building, Queen¹s
University. Everyone welcome.
Further information available from The One World Centre, 4 Lower Crescent,
Belfast BT7 1NR, Tel 90241879, e-mail [email protected]
2 GEORGE MONBIOT ³Unionism, Nationalism or Globalisation?² 7.30 for
7.45 p.m. on Thursday 9th October, in The Elmwood Hall, Belfast Tickets £5
(concessions £2.50), includes a free glass of organic wine from the Belfast
Food Co-op.
Tickets and further information available from either The New Ireland
Group, 7 Slievedarragh Park, Belfast BT14 8J
[email protected] or The de Borda Institute, 36 Ballysillan
Road, Belfast BT14 7QQ [email protected]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: Talk on Guyana
GUYANA: COMMENTS ON A DIVIDED SOCIETY
Speaker: Michael Mahadeo
Venue: One World Centre (4 Lower Crescent, Belfast - off Botanic Avenue)
Date: Wednesday, 8 October 2003
Time: 7.30pm
Everyone Welcome
Stephen McCloskey, Co-ordinator
One World Centre for Northern Ireland
4 Lower Crescent
Belfast
BT7 1NR 028 9024 1879
www.owcni.org.uk <http://www.owcni.org.uk>
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amnesty International Annual Lecture 2003
Xanana Gusmão,
President of East Timor
Peace, justice and reconciliation
Queen's University Belfast, G06
Thursday 16th October, 7pm
All welcome
Admission free but by ticket only
Supported by QUB Human Rights Centre
To book tickets, tel 028 9064 3000 / email: [email protected]
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James Byrne Commemoration Committee
1st November 2003-09-11 Monument Unveiling & 90th Anniversary Commemoration
Assemble 2pm Main Entrance Deansgrange Cemetery, Deansgrange, Co. Dublin,
Ireland. The newly-commissioned monument over the grave of Trade
Union >Martyr, James Byrne, District Organiser, ITG&WU, who died on 1st
November 1913 following a hunger & thirst strike during the Great >Lock-Out
1913 will be unveiled by Des Geraghty, President, SIPTU. All trade
unionists, political activists and members of the Public welcome!
[No Party Political Banners, please!]
The James Byrne Commemoration Committee has organised the erection of a
fitting memorial over the grave in Deansgrange Cemetery [Co. Dublin,
Ireland] of James Byrne, a trade union martyr who died on 1st November 1913
as a result of the effects of a hunger and thirst strike during
imprisonment for his role in the Great Lock-Out of that year. James was
District Organiser of the Irish Transport & General Workers Union and held
leadership roles in both Bray and Kingstown [Dún Laoghaire] Trades Councils.
In the course of James Byrne¹s funeral oration James Connolly said:
²James Byrne truly died a martyr as any man who ever died for Ireland²
The Committee believes that the monument is a fitting tribute to James
Byrne and hopes that his grave may become a place of pilgrimage and source
of inspiration for trade unionists and socialists in the future. We are
particularly pleased that the descendents of James Byrne are fully
supportive of the work of the Committee.
Jason Mc Lean. PRO- James Byrne Commemoration Committee.
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European Social Forum Paris, St Denis 12-15 November
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