Statement from Irish Republican Political ex-Prisoners

We, the undersigned men and women, served terms of imprisonment in jails in Ireland, England and Europe during the conflict for Irish republican activity. 

We are signing this statement to make it clear to communities, and especially young people, that Irish Republicanism has no affinity with the crude ‘nationalist’ hatred recently being peddled by racist and fascist groups stirring up anti-immigrant feeling. 

Irish Republicanism grew from the three principles of ‘liberty’, ‘equality’ and ‘fraternity’ in the French Revolution. In the centuries since these ideas have informed our politics, which has always been Internationalist and Democratic in outlook. Our movement is secular and rejects religious sectarianism. Many Republicans align themselves with progressive liberation struggles worldwide. 

It is incumbent on all of us to continue this tradition and resist any attempts by Irish fascist organisers to claim the mantle of Irish republicanism for themselves. 

The reactionary views of fascists have always been directly opposed to our beliefs, but now fascists pose as ‘patriots’ and ‘community defenders’. The leaders of these groups played no part in decades of struggle in Ireland. These groups are directly influenced by loyalists and British neo-nazis and other far-right elements. 

We call on all Irish republicans of all ages, groups and traditions to become active in your community, workplace and the streets “to try and stem the rising fascist tide”.

Signed

Liam McCotter – Béal Feirste

Pat Hayes – Baile Átha Cliath

Liam Heffernan – Béal Feirste

Mike Edwards – Luimneach

Steve McCann – Cill Mhantáin

Noel McCabe – An Mhí

John A Heany – Ard Mhacha

Nick McBennett – Baile Átha Cliath

John Troy – Baile Átha Cliath

Ursula Ní Shionnain – Baile Átha Cliath

Pádraic Mac Coitir – Béal Feirste 

Eamon Digney – Béal Feirste

Máire Drumm – Béal Feirste 

Gary Kearney – Béal Feirste 

Risteárd  Pádraic Ó Murchú – Béal Feirste 

Seán McGuinness – Ard Mhacha

Barry Murray- Fear Manach

Paul Finnegan – Béal Feirste

Colum Mac Giolla Bhéin – Béal Feirste 

Frank Brennan – An Dún

Seán Clinton – Aontroim 

Gerry Maguire – Fear Manach

Seán Montgomery – Béal Feirste 

Patrick McCabe – Aontroim

Phil McCullough – Aontroim

Sam Caskey – Aontroim

Angela Nelson – Béal Feirste 

Andy Gibson – Béal Feirste 

Micky Vallely – Béal Feirste 

Susie Vallely – Béal Feirste

Kevin McGrogan – Cill Mhantáin

Tommy McKearney – Tír Eoghain

Hughie McCann – Baile Átha Cliath

Conal Corbett – Béal Feirste

Paudge Lavin – Baile Átha Cliath

Colm Laighneach – Mhuineachán

Gerard Murray – Béal Feirste

John Crawley- Muineacheán

Frank Quinn – Tír Eoghain 

Brian Arthurs -Tír Eoghain 

Brendan Donaghy – Tír Eoghain 

Emmanuel Conway – Béal Feirste 

Dermott Quinn- Tír Eoghain 

Daithí Delaney – Béal Feirste 

Dee Fennell – Béal Feirste 

Paddy Mullan – Béal Feirste 

Seán Ó Fiaich – Béal Feirste

Richard Whyte – Cill Dara

Kieran Flynn – Béal Feirste 

Roddy Fitzsimons – An Dún

Seán Fitzsimons – Béal Feirste

Dessie Donnelly – Fear Manach

Breige-Ann McCaughley – Béal Feirste

Anthony McIntyre – Droichead Nua

Liam Martin – Béal Feirste

Danny Lavery – Béal Feirste 

Thomas McWilliams – Béal Feirste 

Rory Morgan – Béal Feirste 

Gavin Hawkins – Béal Feirste 

Seán McGuigan – Béal Feirste

Barry Rodgers – An tlur 

Sadie McLaughlin – Tír Eoghain 

Bernard Fox – Béal Feirste

Joe McArdle – Ard Mhacha

Peter Corrigan – Tír Eoghain

Cornelius McFadden – An Mhí

Tarlach Mac Dhónaill – Béal Feirste

Tommy Fox – Béal Feirste

John Moloney – Cill Dara

Seán Carlin – Béal Feirste

Pól Mac Adaim – Aontroim

Michael Logue – Dhún na nGall

Paddy Kelly – Béal Feirste

Alec Carlin – Béal Feirste

Jim Harte – An Mhí

Gary Donnelly – Doire

Michael Gallagher – Doire

Eddie Campbell – Béal Feirste

Michael Dickson – Baile Átha Cliath

Jim Monaghan – Dhún na nGall

Phil McCullough – Béal Feirste

Johnny Creagh – An Iarmhí

James Ashe – Baile Átha Cliath

Stephen Coleman – An Lorgain

Pat McNamee – Ard Mhacha

Gerry McConville – Béal Feirste

Joseph Kavanagh – Béal Feirste

Michael Fitzsimons – Béal Feirste

Martin Livingstone – Béal Feirste

Simon O’Donnell – Baile Átha Cliath

Anti-racist Political ex-Prisoners are invited to add their names to this growing list