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June/July 2000 Connolly Association: campaigning for a united and independen 00 ISSN 0021-1125 Where now for The British the Good Friday and the •MENT agreement? Act of Union "penal laws? Page 4 Page 7 Page 12 ONE MORE CHANCE

PEACE PROCESS David Granville

IF THERE was anyone more relieved than David Trimble himself that the embattled Ulster Unionist Party leader had secured the narrowest of victories at the party's council meeting on May 27, that person must surely have been British Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Peter Mandelson. The minister's sense of relief that he too had survived another close call was evident as he posed for the television cameras to sign the ministerial order bringing back to life the very institutions which he, on behalf of the British government, had unilaterally suspended just six weeks after they had come into operation amid a fanfare of optimism. His gamble in shutting down institutions to save Trimble from the braying No-men of the UUP, nearly turned out to be as disastrous as his injudicious loan from Labour tycoon Geoffrey Robinson. He may be Blair's favoured political son, and in line to rejoin the cabinet following a less-than-respectable period in purdah, but it would have been difficult for the Prime Minister to have repositioned Mandelson at the foot of the throne had the entire peace process crumbled into dust under his Rooney, Teresa Jordan & Eilish McCabe stewardship. by the RUC. (Justice for victims of state violence, see page 6) Rarely has a minister been so unsuited to his brief. Unreceptive to the Few are expecting political life in the With Britain's record of rolling over neither is Bill Clinton's. Unionism is also more divided than it nuances of political life in the North, North to get any easier or simpler. whenever Trimble's party squeals loudly Further trouble is also expected if has ever been in its history and while imbued with the arrogance of the new Trimble for one will have to move enough, the omens are not good. As a concessions to the Orange Order over this may cause difficulties and elite and unashamedly partisan in favour swiftly to press through proposed result, it is likely that the reaction of provocative marches are forthcoming as instability vis-a-vis the Good Friday of unionism, few in the national- changes to the makeup of the Ulster republicans and nationalists to the rumoured. institutions it surely bodes well for the democratic camp will mourn his Unionist Council (UUC) involving the plethora of changes in unionism's favour Even so, it is unlikely that future. It has been years since the it has departure when that day eventually exclusion of votes for the Orange Order over the implementation of the Patten republicans will resort to withdrawing been accurate to talk of the Ulster comes, probably sooner now rather than and his party's increasingly anti- report recommendationsis looks set to from the institutions which they have unionist monolith of the post-partition later. agreement youth wing. With only 30 harden in the coming period. fought so hard to get up and running. sectarian statelet. Having served his sentence, the signatures needed for a recall of the This in itself could result in another Apart from anything else, their presence In some key respects it has been resuscitation of the Good Friday UUC, it could not be long before he is major crisis — even the Catholic at the heart of mainstream politics in the downhill all the way for unionists since institutions should hasten his departure once again in the hot seat defending a Church has come out strongly against six counties causes unionists far more the introduction of direct rule in 1972, from the NIO to lead, if we are to believe steadily declining majority in the face of the watering-down of the Patten report difficulties than their absence. and certainly since the Anglo-Irish the widely-circulated rumours, Labour's a braying pack of UUP No-men egged — as disillusionment over the British Sinn Fein's support for the peace agreement of 1985. forthcoming election campaign. on from the sidelines by Paisley's crowd government's committment to process and an increasingly This is at least part of the reason why The collective sigh of relief which who have adopted the demeanour of a implementing the equality agenda sophisticated organisation at all levels is they have fought so tenaciously to hang will accompany his departure, involving pack of vultures waiting to descend on reaches new heights. also paying dividends at the polls as was on to what privileges that remain and all but the pro-Trimble unionists, will the UUP corpse. Time, as they say, may The day after Trimble's narrow evidenced by the recent Omagh by- against any genuine power-sharing probably be loud enough reach the US, not be on his side. victory on 27 May Sinn Fein's chief election where the republican vote rose arrangement which can only undermine enabling Bill Clinton and, no doubt, However, a wily political operater negotiator, Martin McGuinness, by 25 per cent, largely at the expense of their position further. There are George Mitchell a chance to join in. and pragmatist of the first order you can described the amendments as "totally the SDLP. This trend is likely to increasing signs that some at least But what of the future of the Good bet that bookies in the North will not be and absolutely" unacceptable and vowed continue, north and south, with the result recognise that there is nowhere else to go. Friday agreement in the wake of laying generous odds against him using that the party would campaign that republicans are likely to hold an 0 See also: Plea to adopt principles of Trimble's narrow victory and the IRA's every ounce of leverage in the wake of vigorously to have them dropped. The even stronger hand the other side of the conflict resolution, page 3; Bobbie historic statement on putting arms his narrow victory to extract even more SDLP's position is not significantly forthcoming general elections in both Headey on the latest developments, page verifiably beyond use? concessions out of British ministers. different. Perhaps more importantly, Britain and Ireland. 4, and the IRA's statement in full, page 4. Page 10 Irish Democrat June/July 2000 Irish Democrat June/July 2000 Page 11 News IRISII Ocmoouc Landmark as RUC officers Jailed Plea to adopt principles of conflict resolution WORLD COMMENT Founded 1939 Volume 55, Number 3 by Politicus vehicle, received a one year sentence. A light when the third RUC officer SECTARIAN POLICING reconciliation gesture involving a third RUC officer and a British soldier involved and the British soldier came MAY DAY RALLY The primacy of politics ceremonial joint disposal of arms by all 'Pivotal' Euro vote Democrat reporter were each fined £1,000 each for their forward to confirm Griffin's version of THE IRA's statement, which has been responsible for breaking the parties to the conflict, including the part in the subsequent cover up. events. Democrat reporter British army, had been vetoed by senior 28 SEPTEMBER, the date of Denmark's decommissioning deadlock, represents an unequivocal endorsement Following the attack, during which According to the Derry-based Pat THE JAILING of two RUC officers for THE BRITISH government and Ulster figures within the British military referendum on the euro, looks set to his attacker threatened to have him shot Finucane Centre the case marks the first of politics, rather than armed struggle, as the way to tackle the their involvement in a sectarian Unionists must end their unbalanced and establishment and the RUC. become a pivotal date in European conspiracy against a north-Belfast by loyalist paramilitaries, Griffin faced time in 30 years that serving police underlying causes of the Irish conflict — partition and the resulting contradictory approach to the Irish peace People therefore needed to ask their history. Depending on how the Danes Catholic teenager has been welcomed police allegations that he had been the officers have been jailed for offences of discrimination against the nationalist population of the six counties. It process and to embrace fully the MPs who exactly is running the Irish vote, a new period of reaction or a and described as "remarkable" by perpetrator of an attack rather than its this nature. principles of conflict resolution. peace process. "Is it the elected progressive phase will dawn for Europe. is a welcome development with major implications for the success of human-rights campaigners in the North. victim. However, the case represents the tip That was the message delivered by government of the country or the If they vote Yes to joining the EU's Although this prosecution did not go of an iceberg, the centre insists: "For the reform process initiated by the two governments and the overall Darren James Neil), who was Irish Democrat editor David Granville combined forces of the British military single currency, the Swedes are likely to ahead, his home was raided by RUC objectives of Irish national democracy. stationed at Oldpark Rl'C station, was years the Police Authority, DPP and at this year's Chesterfield May Day rally, and security apparatus and unionist soon after. The new Labour government officers who planted a 'coffee-jar' bomb. sentenced to two years after being found Independent Commission on Police just days before the IRA declared its leaders in the six counties?" in Norway will then be encouraged to While the IRA statement does not spell out how politics can guilty of assaulting Bernard Griffin in Griffin spent over three months in jail on Complaints have colluded in covering up intention to put its weapons beyond use. Now was not the time for progressive launch a third bid to change Norwegian achieve their goal of a united Ireland — that is the task of republican the back of an RUC Land Rover in bomb charges before the case was both assaults and attempts to pervert the British ministers and pro-agreement and democratic forces in Britain to take minds about joining the EU. With February 1998. RUC colleague Michael eventually dropped. politicians — the method is implicit. Explicitly it means achieving course of justice on the part of RUC unionists were equally reluctant to accept their eye off the ball, he said, urging Denmark and Sweden inside the Magowan, the driver of the police The conspiracy eventually came to officers." equality of treatment and parity of esteem and in doing so removing that they were involved in a process of Connolly Association members from Sheffield, London, Scunthorpe and Hull trade unionists and labour-movement eurozone, fierce pressures will then conflict resolution as this would force were on hand to help out with the bookstall and march In the Chesterfield activists to give their support to mount on Britain to join. the rational basis of the unionism of most unionists — the ability to them to acknowledge that there had been May-Day parade, right. Left' Irish Democrat editor David Granville addresses organisations such as the Connolly If the Danes vote No, Sweden's lord it over the nationalist community, politically and economically. Army board keeps family waiting a conflict in the first place. the main Chesterfield May Day rally. Pics by Craig O'Brien Association and the Friends of the Good social democrats, who decided at their Make 'top-doggery' impossible and the circumstances are created Instead they insisted on clinging to taxpayer has had to foot the bill for the busy creating new roadblocks to reviving Friday Agreement who remained recent congress to hold a referendum on the institutions suspended by British in which today's unionists can discover that they have far more in McBRIDE MURDER their preferred, and unrealistic, version failed policies of past governments, the committed to the Good Friday the euro but without setting a date, will of events, as a case of "criminally violent enormous cost of which is not counted in Secretary of State Peter Mandelson, it agreement. probably forget the idea — a Danish No common with their nationalist neighbours than with their erstwhile Democrat reporter activity" versus "the forces of law, order monetary terms alone". was clear that the overriding priority was "Given the dreadful legacy of would almost certainly mean a Swedish fellow' Brits across the water who, with few exceptions, care little for and democracv", he said. The end result had been an to prevent progress towards a genuine partition it is worth reminding ourselves No also. Norwegian europhiles will once their predicament or their wellbeing. The quicker the equality agenda SUPPORTERS OF the murdered Belfast Part of the British government's "unbalanced and contradictory power-sharing arrangement in the North. that what we are dealing with is as much again be silenced by the eurocritics. And youth Peter McBride hekl a vigil outside everywhere people will grow more is implemented, the quicker this process will progress. reluctance was that "this would include a approach" to the peace process, he said. Other obstacles also existed, he said. a British question as it is an Irish one," he of the Ministry of Defence in Whitehall tacit acknowledgement that the British For anti-agreement unionists, ever An attempt earlier this year to stage a said. sceptical of the EU currency. The way for democrats in Britain and internationally is to keep up in mid April and called for the two Scots Denmark's social democrat Prime the pressure on Westminster to implement speedily the equality Guards convicted of the 1992 murder to Minister, Paul Rasmussen, set the be dismissed from the Army. aspects of the Good Friday deal, including the full implementation of referendum date for just after the In 1998 an Army board decided that Maginnis stars summer holidays to wrongfoot the No the Patten report; dealing with the issue of provocative Orange the convicted murderers, guardsmen campaigners. Initial polls show the tactic parades, and economic investment to tackle inequalities. Mark Wright and James Fisher, could may have rebounded on him. At this Enlightened, democratic opinion in Britain, organised to support remain in the Army despite their In video nasty stage, before the campaign begins, at convictions. the majority forces of national democracy rather than the unionist least half the Danes remain opposed. This decision was successfully eye". The whole event, including Much depends on the referendum minority, has a key role to play. Within this, the Irish in Britain, the ROBERT HAMILL challenged by the McBride family and a Maginnis's outburst, was recorded on question. If asked do they want to be part overwhelming majority of whom continue to vote Labour, are court ordered a new hearing of the Democrat reporter video and has been circulated to key of the eurozone, most people say Yes: to stategically placed to carry out a vital and unique job. internal Ministry of Def ence disciplinary politicians and media outlets. people who know little about what is board. Relatives are still waiting to be involved, it seems nicer to be part of any It is therefore important that the Connolly Association and other CAMPAIGNERS HAVE accused the Campaigners insist that Hamill failed notified of the date of the Army board recent revelations that the guardsmen even be promoted. senior Ulster Unionist MP Ken Maginnis to regain consciousness after the attack group than excluded from it! But if asked progressive organisations within the Irish community continue to meeting. were visited in jail by senior British of encouraging a 'whitewash' of the while the autopsy report gives the cause 2 do they want to abolish their national inform, educate and campaign, increasing the number of 'friends of Campaigners for the McBride family Army officers who promised that S For further information contact the Robert Hamill case after he was filmed of death as "widespread damage" to the | currency, most people say No. Between have also demanded the intervention of Ireland' here and ensuring that their combined efforts become everything was being done to get the two Pat Finucane Centre website: angrily dismissing the concerns at a brain believed to have been caused by now and September there will be a fierce Prime Minister Tony Blair following soldiers released and that they could www.serve.com/pfc/ recent meeting at the University of North "repeated blows to the head such as by battle in Denmark on these issues. significant in determining British government policy on Ireland. England (pictured) were among those to centre but did nothing to save the young London. punching or kicking". hold vigils at the end of April and the man's life. It is shocking that mainstream IN BRIEF Maginnis, who threatened to walk Spokesperson for the Robert Hamill beginning of May marking the third The campaign received a major boost Labour and social democrat leaders like 'Dandy Pat' goes home out of the event, became embroiled in an Campaign in London, Jeremy Hardy, anniversary of the 1997 attack on Hamill at the end of April when the Dublin Rasmussen and his Swedish Rotten to the core argument with members of the audience condemned Mr Maginnis's remarks: and his death eleven days later. government signalled its intention to counterparts should advocate handing working people in the city. Equality challenge BRIBERY AND corruption on a mass scale is the only way to PAT BYRNE MEMORIAL following comments by the MP that "This is a man who claims to know a lot The campaign, which is calling for a press Tony Blair for an independent over control of interest rates, credit and describe the way that Fianna Fail and Fine Gael councillors and TDs In 1888 Byrne was attacked and A RECENT report published by the Hamill had been rescued by the police. about the Hamill case," he said. "He is independent inquiry into the events public inquiry. the exchange rate to irresponsible — Democrat reporter badly beaten by opponents of Home Equality Commission for Northern The Ulster Unionist's defence just making this up as he goes along, he because completely independent — have sold their votes to property developers over the past 30 years. surrounding Hamill's death, is also Rule, never fully recovering from his Ireland has revealed that unemployment spokesperson went on to claim that doesn't want to know anything about it. raising money to enable the family to a For further information: BM Hamill European central bankers in Frankfurt. The revelation of the Rood Tribunal that nearly half the members A ONCE-LOST monument dedicated to injuries. He died two years later in 1890. for Catholics in the six counties remains Hamill had "chatted and talked" in He wants the thing to be whitewashed." mount a private prosecution against Campaign WC1N 3XX (London) or They thereby strike a deadly blow at the memory of 'Dandy' Pat Byrne has of Dublin County Council, some now in the Dail, were on the take re The original fountain, which was twice as high as among Protestants. It hospital and had only died "because a Meanwhile, supporters of the Robert RUC officers who witnessed the assault j usticeforroberthamill @ hotmai 1 com the interests of their own members and been restored and returned to its rightful Dublin's Quarryvale shopping centre, puts a question over much of erected in his memory in Scotland Place, also confirmed that discrimination based bone was damaged at the back of his Hamill Campaign in the north of by the loyalist gang in Portadown town (north of England) their fellow-citizens. The reason is that place in the area of the Wexfordman's had been moved, vandalised and dumped on religion, race, sex, and disability was they see more brilliant and lucrative Ireland's body politic. There have been many other Quarryvales. Liverpool home. in a council depot. It was eventually rife throughout the North. careers for themselves as junior partners IN BRIEF Is there not a connection between so many being willing to sell Bom in Ferms, Co. Wexford, in tracked down by local historians and Earlier this year, the Commission Mixed fortunes for in running the EU as a whole, than in their votes to developers and the sell-out of Irish neutrality and the 1845, Patrick Byrne sailed to Liverpool Irish campaigners who have had it issued new guidelines for public bodies Shayler have confirmed that at least one defending their own countries against the as a boy and spent the rest of his life in restored with help from a grant from the aimed at achieving equality of Barristers' victory schemes of transnational capital, to Irish punt to the EU in the same period? member of the 26-county police force the city where he built a reputation as a North Liverpool Partnership. opportunity and the promotion of Committee author which the EU is central. Mainstream BARRISTERS WILL no longer have to was on the British military intelligence Charles Haughey was Taoiseach when the Supreme Court found successful publican and a philanthropist. The restored monument, which is harmonious relations between people of Sands, as a key witness. declare their willingness to serve the payroll and that, in 1983, they also used labour thereby hands the defence of A committed Home Ruler, he served situated in the grounds of St Anthony's LIBEL ACTIONS the political parties to be acting unconstitutionally in seeking to ratify all backgrounds. Although forced to issue a statement British monarch before they become a bogus holiday competition as part of national democracy and independence to for several years as a local councillor for the Single European Act treaty by a Datl majority. 'We must look at church, Scotland Road, was unveiled by Democrat reporter that the brothers were not involved in the queen's counsel a Belfast judge ruled in attempts to recruit Irish informers. the political right. the Irish Party where he used his the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, cllr Joe Hume honoured this carefully' was Haughey's first reaction to the judgement. He then assassination conspiracy, McPhilemy is early May. Shayler told the Irish Sunday Tribune In the great betrayal that was WW 1, position to campaign for the interests of Devaney, at a ceremony in mid-April. SDLP LEADER John Hume was made a INDEPENDENT TELEVISION standing by his account and has made it The ruling is the outcome of a that there were three channels between mainstream labour throughout Europe went to Brussels and came back determined to ram it through by freeman of Derry at a ceremony in the producer Sean McPhilemy has been clear that he is not offering an apology to judicial review applied for by two six- MI5 and the Gardai: official, casual, and cheered on their respective national referendum, unlawfully spending half a million pounds in the process. city's Guildhall on 1 May. Among the forced to agree a $1 million out-of-court the Prentices. McPhilemy will also have county barristers, Seamus Treacy and through officers recruited and paid for by capitalist classes, as they sent the tributes read out at the event was one We have learned since that this was the very time when Haughey's settlement in the US with two prominent gained some solace from the fact that the Barry Macdonald, following a ruling by the British to pass on information about workers of Europe's nations to slaughter from US President Bill Clinton and his loyalist businessmen named by the two brothers now face a legal bill of the Lord Chancellor insisting that possible IRA suspects. one another in their employers' interests. own personal finances were being 'supplemented' by the largesse of tosh Oemoctuc ^f wife Hillary. author in his book, The Committee, as around $2 million. barristers declare to "well and truly serve Big capital has since outgrown the leading Irish businessmen. His Fianna Fail colleagues, and Fine Gael, being part of a conspiracy to assassinate Towards the end of March, Queen Elizabeth II" before being Orange about turn nation state and today mainstream labour backed him to the hilt, as they continued to back the abolition of the For a united and independent Ireland Catholics and republicans in the six McPhilemy won a separate libel action allowed to practice at the Bar. The two PLANS BY the Orange Order to hold its in most EU countries supports Donations to the Connolly Association national currency by means of the Maastricht Treaty five years later. counties between 1989 and 1991. against The Sunday Times in the High successfully argued that the ruling first march in Dublin in over 60 years transnational capital in its project of Published continuously since 1939, the Irish Democrat is the bi-monthly journal and the Irish Democrat The settlement with car dealers Court and was awarded £145,000 discriminated against nationalists. were abandoned in early May amid subverting the democracy of the nation 'Thank God I had a country to sell,' said one of the bribed peers in the of the Connolly Association, which campaigns for a united and independent 17 March — 23 May 2000 Albert and David Prentice is to be paid damages by a jury who unanimously claims bv the organisation of an absence state, the one instrument history has College Green parliament during the 1800 Act of Union, when Ireland and the rights of the Irish in Britain by his publisher's insurance company. agreed that his Channel 4 documentary MI5 book panic of support outside the Gardai. produced for defending workers' i Jim Duggan £50 (now out of hospital interests and imposing social controls on someone accused him of selling out his country. He has worthy Annual subscription rates (six issues) Financial difficulties resulting from the programme, also called The Committee, THE BRITISH security esUblisiiment The march was originally welcomed and thanking CA friends for their capital. There are of course dissenting successors in today's Ireland. cost of defending the case in the US have was not a hoax as alleged by the paper in was sent into a spin in May after jt was by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Mary £5.50 Britain I enclose a cheque support); A. Murray £8; A. Moynihan forced Roberts Rinehait to cease trading. an article in 1993. revealed that former MI5 boss Siclla Freehill. However, she distanced herself voices in the Labour and Social £10.00 (payable to Connolly Solidarity subscription £5; J. Dempsey £5; J. Mulrennan £2; A. Among those who had agreed to The Sunday Times, which is Rimmington is planning to publish her from the proposal as opposition grew Democrat parties, but they are a £8.00 Publications Ltd)/postal Europe (airmail) Wright £5; P. Evans £5; H. Bennett £20; testify in McPhilemy's defence were appealing against the verdict, was also already written memoirs of her time as amonp members of her qwn Fianna Fail minority, though a growing one. £11.00 order for £ iRish Oemoctuc USA/Canada (airmail) F. Rushe £10; S. Deans £10; R. O' historian Tim Pat Coogan, former ordered to pay Mr McPhilemy's costs, UK spymistress general. party and the general public. As James Connolly taught, labour £12.00 Australia (airmail) Donnell £10; A. Valentine £10; T&G Bi-monthly newspaper of the Connolly Association Channel 4 executive Michael Grade, believed to be around £1 million. It is believed that the book could shed In April, Dublin Corporation people and socialists everywhere should meeting (London) £25; S. O'Cearnaigh Name former RUC officer John Weir and Like the book which followed it, the considerable light on the British state's unanimously supported a Sinn F6in be foremost in achieving national £5; M. Sheehan £4.50; M. Kenny £2.40; Editorial Board former British army propaganda chief original programme set out to prove the secret war against the trade unions, motion recognising the Order's right to independence and then defending their Gerard CurTan; David Granville (editor); Pelcr Mulligan J. Williams £20; D. McDonagh £5; F. Address Colin Wallace. existence of elaborate conspiracy to kill particularly its efforts to undermine the march. However, the motion also called nation state. Not out of nationalism, but Production: Derek Kolz Jennings £10; K. Matthews £15; Anon McPhilemy agreed to settle out of nationalists and Catholics, involving 1984-85 miners dispute, and the covert for a lifting of the Loyal Orders' siege of for the sake of internationalism. Published by Connolly Publications Ltd. 244 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1X 8JR, £5; tel 020 7833 3022 i 1 court after it became obvious that the loyalist paramilitaries, unionist war against Irish republicans. the Garvaghy Road for negotiations Democrats and internationalists Emallt Connollyfygeo2.poptel.org.uk Send to: Connolly Publications Ltd, 244 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1X 8JR Bankers orders (2 months) £286.00 Prentices' legal team was planning to call councillors, RUC officers and prominent Meanwhile, the latest revelations of with the nationalist community in everywhere will be wishing Denmark's Printed by Multiline Systems Ltd, 22-24 I'owell Road, London E5 8DJ Tel: 020 8985 3753 Total £517.90 the author's main source, loyalist Jim six-county businessmen. disaffected former MI5 agent David Portadown to end the current impasse. eurocritics victory on 28 September. Irish Democrat June/July 2000 Page 10 Irish Democrat June/July 2000 Page 11

News/analysis News feature Socialist pioneer

A window on Casement Jim Savage Q| recalls the • The hard John Garton reports on a legacy of the I early socialist, I recent symposium co-operator I focusing on the life and and champion I of women's I work of the humanitarian equality, I road William I and campaigner for Irish Thompson I freedom, Sir Roger THE NAME William Thompson rarely surfaces in Irish history books. Part of Casement, who was the explanation for this undoubtedly lies ahead executed for his part in the in his lack of the Co. Corkman's engagement with any significant *«>» Northern Ireland, writes Irish Democrat northern i % mayor of Cork and as County High Sheriff. On the death of his father in corespondent Bobbie Heatley VEN BEFORE his The Connolly Association is among those calling for Patten to be implemented In full 1814 William inherited substantial Eexecution in 1916, the assets, including a set of trading vessels complexities of Roger unilateral and illegal decision to suspend cosmetic changes. The Northern Ireland matters is being passed to the Secretary who disagreed with his plans for it. It and a 1,400 acre estate a' Carnhoogariff Casement's life had become the Stormont institutions has caused a re- Office has tried to excuse itself by saying of State. now contains no recognised The 1916 trial of Sir Roger Casement, as painted by Sir John Lavery, above. near Ross Carbery. a topic of debate in informed think. that further reform will be forthcoming. In an attempt to minimise opposition representative of the nationalist Casement's legatees, as they should have minutes to present his undisputed While retaining a house in Cork, and uninformed circles. The joint statement of the London As it stands, the Bill will not give to the British government's deviations community. A legal challenge to this been under statute. Ms Bennett, while argument that linguistic fingerprinting William began to spend much of his time Since then colloquiums, symposiums and Dublin governments and the IRA's Northern Ireland an impartial police from Patten, Tony Blair is reported to development is now being mounted. admitting no legal expertise, implied that comparison between Casement's at Camhoogariff where he was seen by and seminars have occurred throughout service in any party-political sense and have twice phoned Bill Clinton in the Furthermore the legal framework there was a law which enabled Britain to acknowledged writings and that of the the locals as "a very remarkable and ROWING NUMBERS ARE positive response to it (see panel) seems the world, reaching a climax in the has attracted widespread criticism far within which the Parades Commission hold on to such documents. One forged diaries showed no correlation. If eccentric personage" because of his Gcoming around to the view to have unlocked the logjam over White House with requests for the US symposium of 5-6 May, held in the beyond nationalist and republican wonders if a European court would this technique is now accepted in legal advanced social views and strict that, as the six counties are republican decommissioning, loyalist President to put pressure on republicans anives at its decisions has been, in the Royal Irish Academy in response to a circles. support this. Perhaps the Irish argument, as in the case of the vegetarian lifestyle. a colony, a democratic paramilitarism not being of any great and nationalists. opinion of the Garvaghy Road residents, call by Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern for a government should put it to the test. Birmingham Six, how can it be ignored colony is a contradiction in concern to Downing Street. The existing Police Authority for Apparently he got a flea in his ear: subtly altered in favour of the thorough investigation of the supposed Thompson was an unusual scion of James J. Horan of the John Jay in a study of Casement? There can be terms. Whatever, getting The almost universal approval of the Northern Ireland, generally regarded as a the time comes, he was told, when Orangemen. It is suspected that a public Casement material now held in the the Protestant ascendancy class. In College of Criminal Justice, City little doubt that Mitchell and O Mai lie democracy in this place while it remains IRA's decision to put its weaponry government-friendly outfit, has stated negotiations have to end. There is no order insertion may be used to force Public Records Office in London. addition to granting his tenants University of New York, gave an won the day. a part of the UK state, is like extracting completely and verifiably beyond use that the planned new Police Board has evidence that this latest setback for Blair through a parade this summer. The Speakers from Belgium, England, favourable leases, to the displeasure of impressive account of how forensic teeth from a live dinosaur. The history of caught the Northern Ireland unionists, even fewer powers than it has now. The will curtail the insatiable demands of the Orangemen have been threatening Scotland, America and Germany The symposium's final session began his own class, locals remembered him science would approach the Casement what has happened to the Good Friday the UUP especially, by surprise. When Police Ombudsman, one of the few supposedly pro-agreement UUP. further mayhem if this does not go presented papers on many aspects of with an absorbing account of Casement walking about Glandore with a French diaries. agreement since its signing over two they came up adroitly with further reforms already in place, has also joined There is their problem with flags. ahead. Casement's work in the Congo, the in imperial Germany as an emissary of revolutionary tricolour attached to his years ago is proof of this fact. stalling demands, the British government the outcry as the powers of her office are Cherry picking the Good Friday All this is fast eroding the confidence Putumayo, England and Ireland and He told this correspondent that he Clan na Gael by Professor Reinhardt R. walking stick. Between them, the British responded in its habitual way by also being curtailed. agreement for an argument to justify of nationalists and republicans in the contributions from a well-informed would not have undertaken an Doerries of Friedrich Alexander During his lifetime he published a government and the Ulster Unionist capitulating. The Patten proposal for an impartial them, unionists contend that only the capacity of the agreement to introduce invited audience sought to throw light investigation of the relevant material Universitaet, Erlangacn-Nuernberg. number of important works including An Party (UUP) have played fast and loose Although Trimble excoriated the Police Overseer, preferably from outside Union flag ought to be allowed to fly democratic changes into Northern upon the life and character of the man under the restraints imposed upon Dr The professor has had full and free Appeal of One Half of the Human Race, with the agreement, frustrating its Patten report on policing as the shabbiest the UK, is being taken up. However, the over publicly-owned buildings — Ireland. who it was generally agreed was the David Baxendale when working for the access to all German-held records and Women, Against the Pretensions of the implementation at every turn. piece of work he had ever seen, name of the office holder and the extent harking back to the days when The continual drip-feed of greatest humanitarian of his age. BBC in 1993 — Baxendale, who had was able to report that during Other Half, Men, to Restrain them in From the beginning Downing Street Mandelson promised to implement it. In his or her remit remains uncertain. Stormont's Rags and Emblems Act concessions to unionism and the recently Dr Jules Marchal said he believed been required to sign the Official Secrets Casement's stay in Germany there is not Political and thence in Civil Domestic saw the accord as an instrument whose the face of stiff UUP opposition, he is forbade the display of the Irish national demonstrated fact that, notwithstanding that the young Casement had been were unlikely spots for clandestine Act, was not allowed to make copies of one report that relates to his sexuality. He Slavery (1825) — the first detailed prime purpose was to pressurise the IRA the pages and was allowed only one day now attempting an about-turn. flag anywhere within the six counties.. the all-Ireland referendums, the Good greatly influenced by the concerns of sexual encounters. acknowledged that Casement would statement of socialist feminism. into giving up its arms in the way in Professor Christopher Andrew and to study the material. have been under constant surveillance, The SDLP, whose credibility over the HE EFFECT of the Bill as it Unionists simply disregard the Friday agreement remains the property Edward Bannister, his uncle, and his In this challenging work Thompson which it demanded, while paying scant Gill Bennett, OBE, chief historian of the particularly when reports filtered in that issue is at stake, has unearthed 44 now stands is to put control agreement's requirement for parity of of Westminster and its proxy the UUP, work for the welfare of the native Despite these constraints, Baxendale eviscerates gender inequality and sends attention to what had actually been Foreign and Commonwealth Office, rose he might be a British spy. infractions of Patten's original of RUC reform in the hands esteem whereas the simple solution Sinn Fein has been forced to remind peoples of the Congo. Bannister had also concluded that the few pages he had out a plea for the political and socialist agreed. to Whitehall's defence. However, then- been permitted to see were in recommendations in the Policing Bill of the Secretary of State and would be for both flags to be displayed Downing Street that the IRA's offer to shown a remarkable appreciation for the Concluding the event, Dr. Martin emancipation of woman. Many of the Trimble became Blair's main proxy currently currently before the alongside one another — something the put its arms completely and verifiably culture of these people and this arguments that the diaries were genuine Casement's handwriting. Mansergh of the Department of An book's arguments would be considered in this process. There was, of course, the Chief Constable who Westminster parliament. UUP refuses to countenance. beyond use is a revocable one. undoubtedly opened up a new world to and that the dirty tricks department of Dr Roger Sawyer repeated his Taoiseach reiterated that there was "little radical even today. another route towards paramilitary between them will determine The Irish government has lamely The Orange Order has also not been Most people, including many on the the boy, raised as a Protestant in the British intelligence barely existed failed position, clearly staled in his two conclusive evidence" to support claims A friend of Bentham and a supporter disarmament based on implementing the Tits pace and nature. The SDLP has demurred while Sinn Fein, which idle and there have been signs that unionist side itself, are hoping that ascendancy atmosphere of the to convince a knowledgeable audience. Casement books, that the Black Diaries that Casement was a homosexual. of Robert Owen's ideas on co-operation, democratic reforms of the agreement pledged to fight for amendments. So too regarded the original Patten proposals as Downing Street is preparing to make Ballymena Academy. Ms Bennett did, however, release a few are genuine. This position was supported "Casement's reputation and place in he had published An Enquiry into the and, in that context, allowing the raison has the UUP, which is seeking further matters will not be brought to such a pass Dr John Hemmings, former director documents relating to Casement before by Jeffrey Dudgeon whose Casement history in the eyes of Irish nationalists — Principles of the Distribution of Wealth d'etre for paramilitarism (at least in the minimum basis for reform, is unable to concessions, including the retention of concessions over parades. Blair recently but the way in which the Northern of the Royal Geographical Society, they are in the public domain. They biography is due later this year. let alone others — has been dogged by Most Conductive to Human Happiness a republican case) to phase out in recommend that nationalists enlist in the the RUC name along with its badge and altered the composition of the Parades Ireland Office has been behaving is having made similar expeditions to that purport to throw light on the activities of Angus Mitchell presented a doubts over whether the 'Black Diaries', year earlier. Regarding unearned income reciprocation. RUC on the basis of predominantly symbols. Ultimate control over these Commission, getting rid of dissidents testing people's patience to the limit. of Casement up the Putumayo, Adler Christiansen, among other things, compelling argument for the diaries which cast him in a very different light and private property as the path to social Until recently, neither the UUP nor expressed the opinion that it would have but present no proof positive of any being forged and, responding to a and make him into a 'Jeckyll and Hyde' injustice, he was the first to insist on the the British government had shown much been impossible for anyone to have been sexual relationship between Christiansen statement from the floor, pointed out that type character may in fact be genuine. just distribution of wealth as a key interest in this option. Only the near- Army bases to close engaged in the sexual activities attributed and Casement. his full research had yet to be published. They were circulated not just to principle of political economy. Regarded fiasco brought about by Mandelson's to Casement in the 'Black' Amazon Mitchell nailed his colours to the mast. It as a direct influence on Karl Marx, Making the announcement, Flanagan Few, if any, were convinced by two dampen down efforts to gain a reprieve DEMILITARISATION diaries without his companions, or the is unlikely that his ship will sink. Thompson was indeed quoted by the THE LEADERSHIP of the IRA is committed to a just and tint will completely and verifiably put IRAj claimed that the closures were made above speakers and later when asked against his execution, but to prevent his spies of the Peruvian Don Julio Arana, author of the Communist Manifesto. lasting peace. We have sustained that commitment despite the We will do it in such a way as to avoid risk! possible by a security -force assessment why, if the diaries were genuine, they Eoin O Maille of the Roger martyrdom." What really mattered was Democrat reporter being aware of it. abuse of the peace process by those who persist with the aim misappropriation by others and ensure 1 suggesting a reduced threat from were not returned to the Parry family, Casement Foundation was permitted ten the truth, Mansergh concluded. In 1972, R.G. Garnette, an authority The numerous alleged acts of of defeating the IRA and Irish republicans. confidence. We will resume contact with; THE RECENT announcement by RUC 'paramilitaries'. Using this criterion on early socialism, accurately suggested indecency in kiosks was also ridiculed Republicans believe that the British government claim to a International Commission on Decommisa Chief Constable Ronnie Flanagan of the military installations could have begun develop an understanding of Englishness that Thompson contributed far more to by Angus Mitchell who provided part of Ireland, its denial of national self-determination to the into further discussions with the Commissi closure of two British Army bases and to be di: nantled two years ago. in a cultural sense than anything else. This the economic theory of co-operativism photographic evidence that such places Letters to the Editor people of the island of Ireland, the partition of our country and the IRA leadership's commitment to resoi several spying posts in the North has How jver, while further steps are is a valuable and necessary it to and socialism than the better-known Write to: The Editor, Irish Democrat, c/o 244 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1X 8JR the maintenance of social and economic inequality in the six arms. j been welcomed by national-democratic expected within three months, including English identity appropriated by those who want to keep Robert Owen. or email at: [email protected] counties are the root causes of conflict. We lode to the two governments and espi forces as an important first step in the the demolition of the sangar overlooking THE RECENT piece about English the current economic system, or, to plough However, despite his accepted The maintenance of our cessation is our contribution to the government to fulfil their commitments process of British demilitarisation. the centre of Crossmaglen, the British identity by Peter Berresford Ellis was headlong into constitutional changes are importance, only one full-length study of peace process and to the creation of a future in which the Friday agreement and the joint statements The announcement, made within days Army looks set to keep the rest of its most interesting and helpful. It seems answer to the question of what it means common cause with working people all likely to be counterproductive. Owen had been published prior to 1996. true now that devolution to Wales and causes of conflict are resolved by peace&d means. For our speedy and full implementation of the Goodj of the IRA's initiative for putting oppressive fortress in this staunchly to be English, as opposed to British in around the world. Neither are they likely to assist with Richard Pankhursts's 1954 political Scotland has indeed put the subject on part, the ERA leadership is committed to resolving the issue of and the government's measures, our arm republican weapons beyond use, was republican border town. the chauvinist sense. Despite being small Identity is at least as strongly defined Irish unity and independence. But let us biography, recently republished by Pluto the agenda. There should now be a useful geographically, England is densely arms. The political responsibility for advancing the cuirent/;&||lMi^gtiri is no threat to the pcace proce widely seen as part of a highly Commenting on the closures, Sinn by class as by anything else. By this I do have more debate. Press, rather strangely appropriated the debate about it, without playing into the populated with strong regional situation rests with the two governments, ^specially the In this context, the IRA leadership has choreographed sequence of announce- F6in assemblyman Gerry Kelly called not mean constructions such as 'skilled Peter Latham Corkman as Britain's "pioneer socialist, hands of the ruling class and their traditions. Differences between north British government, and the leadership of the political parties, place, within weeks, a confluence-build ments designed to remove obstacles to the foi the demilitarisation process to be working class' or even 'Essex man' Sheffield feminist and co-operator". ideology. and south, for example, go back The full implementation, on a progressive and irreversible confirm that our weapons remain secure. 1 re-establishment of the Good Friday speeded up, but stressed that it should bandied about by the media. Rather, Thompson died on 28 March 1833 I thought Peter Berresford Ellis hundreds of years. basis by the two governments, especially the British number of our aims dumps will he inspect* institutions and the full implementation of have begun immediately after the many people, in various economic High praise having left his land in west Cork to the achieved that, by exposing the ridiculous government, of what they have agreed will provide a political patties, who will repot that they have the agreement signed on 1 April in 1998. signing of the Good Friday agreement. But times change, and so do cultural positions, see themselves as just getting THANKS FOR the great work of the co-operative movement. Unfortunately claim that a trail of monarchs leads us by in a harsh world, where the selfish context, in an enduring political proceaksMth the poMMal to Independent International Commission on D Immediate closure plans cover For the SDLP, deputy leader Seamus expressions. Rural English folk song Irish Democrat. I look forwards to your for the great radical, his will was happily back to the Middle Ages, thus rich increasingly please themselves and remove the causes of conflict, and in which Irish republicans, The dumps will be re-inspected regularly t British Army bases in Cookstown, Co. Mallon said that the removal of security moved on to its industrial equivalents, next edition with great excitement. contested by relatives who eventually causing someone like me to be English. get richer. This is the real division in and unionists can, as equals pursue our respective political weapons have remained silent, Tyrone, Fort George, Derry, and installations would help to convince popularised by Ewan McColl and others Keep up the wonderful work. prevailed after 25 years of litigation, The modem equivalent has been the today's society, rather than regional or objectives peacefully. observation posts in Cloghogue, south people in heavily fortified areas that the in the 1950's and 1960's. Capitalist Malcolm McDonald leaving the co-operators with nothing. use of the English language by the other differences. Armagh, Broadway, west Belfast and Good Friday agreement could make a exploitation has added a crucial Brisbane, Without a doubt, a new, in-depth study of In that context, the IRA leadership will initiate a process , i J British ruling class (disproportionately Templar House in north Belfast. difference to their lives. dimension to Englishness, by making It is probably more important to Australia Thompson's work is long overdue. ^nBBHBHHHRKHRHHHHH^i Scottish) to 'civilise' half the world. I suspect that there is no single Page 10 Irish Democrat June/July 2000 Irish Democrat June/July 2000 Page 11 Page 7 Connolly column Features Features In this article, published State-violence victims in Forward in February The British and the Act of Union 1914 in the aftermath of also require justice the infamous Dublin In the latest in our series of articles on the background Mark Thompson of lock-out, the Irish labour and significance of the Act of Union, Liverpool-based Relatives for Justice ' Uujliu Ij /JJiiUiiJ UlUilJ.iJJ^J leader sets out the case ® t. historian Ian McKeane looks at the events from the outlines the importance of for sympathetic strike perspective of the British government of the day disclosure and truth for the action and argues the victims and survivors of N 1 January 1801, the them by force but bad generalship, poor need for industrial trade United Kingdom Act of naval co-ordination and the better tactics state violence unionism Union made Ireland an of the Americans and their French allies integral part of the British had defeated the imperial forces. N 1994, post-cease-fires, many state. Why did the British The American success allowed relatives, indeed communities, government bother? What France to regain a degree of confidence A lesson from Dublin recognised the legacy of the werOe its main reasons? Was Ireland the since Versailles had supported the SOME TIME ago I reprinted in Forward an extract from an article I had contributed conflict on them and their government's chief concern or were Americans in a curious alliance between to the Irish Review defending and expounding the idea of the sympathetic strike. immediate families. People began there other motives? The answers to an absolute monarchy and a fledgling That was at the beginning of the Dublin struggle. Now, the members of the Irish to reflect and talk — many for the these questions lie in British imperial republic at the expense of the British Transport and General Workers' Union who have returned to work in Dublin have firstI time — about the terrible events concerns, concerns with her nearest and empire. done so after signing an agreement to handle all classes of goods, that is to say, to which had shaped their lives. strongest neighbour. That there should be a French renounce for the time the idea and practice of the sympathetic strike. Relatives, who for years had The Act of Union clearly created a connection with the events leading to the This, by the way, is the only agreement yet signed by members of that union. In campaigned tirelessly for truth and larger imperial state with a central Act of Union is far from coincidental. It those firms which still insist upon the former Employers' Agreement banning the Irish justice, saw that the unfolding political 'minister for victims'. were vilified. parliament in London. The House of is in fact central to the British Transport and General Workers' Union the strike or lock out is still in active events brought a glimmer of hope. We recognise and acknowledge the There is also a growing recognition Lords was enlarged by four (Anglican) justification for union. France was seen operation. But the question arises: what reason is to be derived from our experience There was a sense that outstanding hurt and suffering of all and the affinity of the centrality of people and Lords Spiritual of Ireland and 28 Lords as the continental bogeyman at the time. of the sympathetic strike in Dublin? What lessons can be learned from a cool and human-rights violations might finally be that others may have with this forum, but communities addressing their trauma Temporal (elected for life). The House of It had the largest population (over 26 reasoned study of our struggle? resolved in a new and emerging climate; there also needs to be a understanding of and experiences as a core part of the Commons expanded by 100 MPs sitting million) and the greatest national and the 1798 n provided Pitt, below, with an excuse 0 move to union Let me repeat the essence of the article alluded to as an explanation of the nature that those who were previously denied the circumstances regarding the people healing and conflict resolution process. for the counties, the Cities of Dublin and territory and was potentially the greatest The main body of the fleet arrived in maintain order in areas such as Armagh, of the sympathetic strike. It pointed out that we in Dublin had realised that the recourse and redress would have who we work with. This has been flatly Truth and justice are vital components in Cork, Trinity College and 31 of the of the continental powers. Bantry Bay but failed to effect a landing. where sectarian disorder was endemic, capitalist cannot be successfully fought upon the industrial field unless we recognise recognition, acknowledgement and ignored. In fact, many interpreted the enabling this process to be successfully "most considerable cities, town and France obsessed British politicians. The force returned to France. and to prevent open rebellion in 1798. that all classes of workers should recognise their common interests, that such eventual disclosure by those responsible above report and appointment as a direct achieved. They are inalienable rights that boroughs" of Ireland. British defence policy at the end of the When the information of the nature Ireland was clearly vulnerable to French recognition implied that an employer engaged in a struggle with his workpeople for violations against them and their snub. continue to be denied. It confirmed the King of Britain as 18th century was directed almost and extent of the fleet became known to atta^V. should be made taboo or tainted, that no other workers should co-operate in helping loved ones; that the prospect of knowing People see through the selective Disclosure, reparation and restoration the monarch of the new enlarged United exclusively towards France. The British the British the full realisation of the integration would lead to closer to keep his business growing, that no goods coming from his works should be handled and publicly hearing truth would ease an nature and exclusivity of this report and are also basic fundamental requirements Kingdom and that all procedures for empire was seen as a commercial potential of the landing sank in. oversight of Irish matters. As Scotland by organised workers, and no goods going to his works should be conveyed by enormous burden and alleviate their the rank hypocrisy of appointing the to the both individual and community as parliamentary election, laws and taxes undertaking to be run largely at the If the French troops had landed and had been successfully absorbed into the organised workers. grief; and that a form of positive person in charge of the very forces part of the healing process. effective in Britain would apply across expense of France and Britain's imperial managed to establish a bridgehead it UK so Ireland would, with good That he should, in effect, be put outside the pale of civilisation and communication reparation and restoration would follow responsible for committing atrocities as A real resolution cannot fully be the whole kingdom. However, the naval power was maintained to this would have taken the British a good deal governance, become an equally valued with him should be regarded as being a deadly crime as correspondence with the forming part of the overall process of minister to deal with victims/survivors. achieved without addressing these three national debt was to continue to be effect. of effort to defeat and eject them. and stable component of an enlarged enemy in war time... conflict resolution contributing towards This approach has served only to principles in relation to outstanding administered separately and for the first No cracks could be tolerated at the Bonaparte might have been persuaded of imperial nation. Its largely Catholic It may then be asked: how far has the Dublin experience justified or failed to building for the future. heighten awareness about the forgotten, human-rights abuses. Particularly those 20 years the contributions were to be in centre of the empire and the tightening of the potential of the Irish landing and the population would be granted justify the practicability of this policy? Others found a space within this the disparity of treatment, and to re- abuses carried out by the state. It has an the ratio of 15:2 for Britain and Ireland control over Ireland was seen as a means whole course of the French war could emancipation with full civil rights and We have been forced in Dublin to abandon the policy temporarily because other atmosphere which allowed them for the emphasise the need for inclusion and onus, a special responsibility in this area respectively. A similar period was to towards more efficient governance and have been changed. the Protestant ascendancy would have unions whose co-operation was necessary had not adopted a similar policy. It was not first time the opportunity of addressing equality. More importantly it has compared to illegal organisations, in this elapse before the harmonisation of taxes the creation of a solid core at the heart of This attempted French landing is the their social position maintained, practicable to enforce the policy of their trauma and in doing so they too strengthened the resolve of relatives for matter. They must be accountable, they and duties on such as beer, spirits and the empire the better to enable its key to the Act of Union. It was followed although their political power would be tainted goods in Dublin whilst the goods realised a need to hear the truth. disclosure and underlined the need for must not be above the law. sugar. defence against France. American disaster. by a pacification campaign, in Ulster and diminished. The UK population (10.5 so held up could be transported from Attempts to dampen these needs and redress. In this new environment relatives are The British government's prime So, when the French revolution broke At the time the British government Leinster under General Lake, of extreme million) would be increased by 31 per Every executive other ports and handled across channel hopes at times became paramount for the This awareness has brought about an entitled to have answers to the questions motivation was consolidation of the out in 1789 it was monitored very felt this move would remove an barbarity. cent at a stroke and, most importantly, by other unions. British government, confirms the view of unprecedented determination for truth which have been asked over the years national territory — since, despite its closely. The British government feared administrative problem at time of stress. Ostensibly making Ireland safe Britain's Atlantic flank would be secure. naturally aligns The executives of other unions, many relatives and campaigners that and justice throughout Ireland in relation about these atrocities and to be treated Dublin parliament, Ireland was by no civil disorder at home. More seriously, The volunteer militias, widespread in against the French by rooting out Yet, right at the outset, the union was failing to sanction the co-operation of issues of state and state-sponsored to many of the forgotten incidents of the equally. Not to be dismissed and told that means independent. It was in effect a they feared the intellectual substance that Ireland at the time, were seen as disaffection, Lake unleashed his militias flawed. George III refused outright to itself in opposition their members, (ensured that - ed) the violence are not to be voluntarily conflict. It has created an under current, their suffering is in anyway different to colony. Integration pulled Ireland more French ideas of the rights of man and providing an in-house defence force, and yeomanry on the population in an countenance Catholic emancipation. He enforcement of this policy became an included in any new resolution process captured a mood and is educating a that of those who acted in favour of the closely into the kingdom which was the democratic representative government enabling regular troops to be released to orgy of torture, and summary execution. saw it as destroying "this groundwork of to the policy of the impossibility. and that the campaign for inclusion will generation eager to know the truth. status quo or who were killed by groups heart of the empire. This was made might now give disaffection at home. overcome the rebellious Americans. It was in reaction to this campaign our happy Constitution." Even the wily Hence, I submit that the main be actively resisted. other than the state. explicit by the language used in Article Although the British could rely on that, in April 1798, the exasperated but Pitt could not change his sovereign's sympathetic strike, difficulty in the way of the success of this Simultaneously, the British HE DESIRE to know about If the conflict in Ireland is truly One of the Act which referred to the their troops to maintain order, as had well-organised Catholic peasantry of mind. policy is in the multiplicity of unions and government has elevated the these incidents now goes drawing to a close, if it is to be properly imperial crown as the national symbol. been proved in 1780 during the Gordon FTER ONLY a few years, Wexford fell on the North Cork Militia Ireland's colonial status was largely except when its executives. Every union not immediately circumstances of others who have also beyond just the relatives, resolved, and if those central to the In the previous three decades the riots, there was government concern at British government spies and the 1798 rising was on. The maintained with government now in engaged in the conflict is a union whose suffered through the conflict with campaigners and immediate process are sincere, then issues of state British empire, having reached an the democratic ideas emanating from followed the activities of Presbyterians of Antrim and Down rose Dublin Castle — a viceroy, chief own union is material interests — looked at from a initiatives such as the Bloomfield Report communities as people have violence must become an integral part of apogee in the annus mirabilis of 1759 France. This became more acute after the the Society of United in the summer and a small French task secretary and a series of lesser officials. immediately narrowly selfish point of view — are and the appointment of Adam Ingram as recognised the value of that process. with the acquisition of Canada and India establishment of the French republic in Irishmen (SUI) and in force landed in Co. Mayo. 1 "volved parliament had gone and there opposed to being drawn into struggle. Tdisclosure and truth. Our challenge is to ensure that this is plus an array of profitable smaller places, 1792 and the subsequent attempts to particular their contacts v as nothing in its place. Ireland had its Therefore, every executive naturally Forgotten incidents, which have the case and that these issues are had taken a serious knock with the reconstruct French society. Awith the French in the early 1790s. 100 Westminster MPs but they could not concerned secession of the 13 American colonies in Ireland began to move back into the aligns itself in opposition to the policy of FOUNDED IN th early 1990s, claimed countless lives in dozens of resolved. Our view remains that, as in The area of British control where The British redress the representational deficit 1776. frame of British paranoia. The leading i the sympathetic strike, except when it is Relatives for Justice violent attacks involving the British other conflict resolution processes, the these ideas seemed to be taking root was caused by the closing of the Dublin its own union that is immediately Army, the RUC and their agents, are Ireland which had gained a measure of members of the SUI from the outset had parliament. It was 80 years before they to survivors and relatives of quest for truth and justice will create a They had not been allowed to go government's concerned. When it is one of the principals in the fight then each union becomes as becoming the subject of increasing self-government in 1782 during the cultural leanings towards France and were to attempt this. bereaved through the conflict, momentum of its own which will quietly. Britain had attempted to keep enthusiastically in favour of the sympathetic strike as it formerly was against it... debate. Forgotten simply because they links with radical elements in Britain. particularly those affected by state and eventually overtake those who refuse to prime motivation These flaws in the arrangement were were deliberately perpetrated by those It is no use pointing out the inconsistency of such action: it is merely a case of state sponsored violence. yield and to do what is morally right. The SUI had initially attempted to to gnaw away at the heart of the union supposedly there to protect and prevent following the immediate material interests of their union, instead of the broader RJF assists families coping with The struggle to accurately tell the The Working Class pursue its ideals while remaining within was consolidation for decades. In Ireland Catholic such atrocities. the constitution and the law. However, material and moral welfare of their class. But when recognising this ugly fact, what the affects of bereavement through truth about the past has many valuable emancipation, home rule, and Young lesson ought we to derive from it? after the outbreak of war between Britain violence and die resulting trauma and The Dublin bombings of 1972, lessons for society and future of the national Ireland were all attempts to address these Movement Library and France in February 1793 they shifted flaws. We ought, I think, to learn that the first duty of the militant worker today is to work stress: Dublin/Monaghan bombings, New generations. There should be no line towards a more revolutionary stance. By for industrial unionism in some form. To work for the abolition or merging of all those # providing one-l contact, peer Lodge massacre, Bloody Sunday in drawn under the past only lessons territory After 1858, republicanism and unions that now divide our energies instead of concentrating them — and for the Deny, Armagh and other shoot-to-kill The Working Class Movement Library is a collection of books and other April 1794 they had links with French counselling, group and legal learned — lessons which will enable us complete separation were seen by abolition of all those executives whose measure of success is the balance sheet of their incidents, the massacres in Springhill, media concerned with the activities, expression and enquiries of the agents and in May 1794 the society was advice | M| - to build a better and more just future for increasing numbers as the solution. Thus union, instead of the power of their class... the Ludlow case and Silverbridge all labour movement, its allies and its enemies, since the late 18th century. proscribed. Leading members went for Ireland, the union was and remained • engaging with legal all, nationalist and unionist alike. After order had been re-established in This is, to my mind, the lesson of Dublin. Industrial unionism, the amalgamation represent that mood and need for redress. abroad or underground and began a Ireland, Pitt had really no alternative but flawed. For Britain, it was seen as an professionals, go' bodies and The contribution from relatives is In addition to around 25,000 books and 15,000 pamphlets, the of all forces of labour into one union, capable of concentrating all forces upon any There are many more. process of lobbying the French to move to union. arrangement which would only need through the of cases going very much a positive role. As relatives collection includes banners, badges, handouts, leaflets and ephemera; one issue or in any one fight, can alone fight industrially as the present development government for support. revision when events obliged the through international The violence has even been extended their experiences need to be heard, periodicals, sound and vision, photographs, commemorative crockery, We know that the notion of union had and organisation of capital requires that labour should fight. This came to fruition under the post- government to remember Ireland. # liasing with hi to human rights lawyers who champion respected and valued. Above all else, archival material and posters. been in the air from the correspondence terreur government, the Directory. The This will not be accomplished in a day, nor in a year, but be should definitely and the UN these causes. These are all issues that these experiences need to inform the in the Casdereagh papers, articles in the If only General Hoche had known will not fade. The library's Irish collection, based around the libraries of the late French put together a well-equipped Northern Star in April 1795 and the aimed at, no matter how long the period of its accomplishment. % RW also nature of change, to bring about a more what trouble his failure in Ireland was to Desmond Greaves and T.A. Jackson, is undoubtedly the most expedition of over 15,000 men to send to Belfast Newsletter in 1797. But now The organisation of all workers in any one industry into a union covering that behalf of many What makes these incidents even human-rights based culture. cause Britain, he might not have been important collection of its kind outside of Ireland. Ireland under the command of General there was a proven external threat from entire industry, and the linking up of all such unions under one head is a different campaign and more reprehensible is that no one has In doing so this will allow everyone such a broken and disappointed man on Louis Lazare Hoche. France. The Protestant ascendancy were thing from the mere amalgamation of certain unions. But, whilst it is not necessarily particularly in rural ever been held accountable or prosecuted to realise the pivotal role and vital For further Information and (totalis of opening hours his death in 1797. antagonistic, it is certainly more in the line of industrial development, and more despite compelling evidence that these Unfortunately, procrastination and a clearly incapable of maintaining internal # For further contribution that relatives bring to the (accoss oy appoimmeni oniyj coniaci. effective in the day of conflict. were acts of violence carried out with series of financial and organisational order and therefore union with Britain RFJ, 235a Falls R< creation of a new emerging society. One WCML, 51 Ths Crescent, Salford, M5 4WX. 0 Ian McKeane is a doctoral research impunity; and that it was often the foul-ups meant that it did not set sail had to be the best method of The name also helps to retrieve the workers' movement from the unnatural 4PE; tel. 028 90 22011 that is free ffom conflict and which has Tel: 0161 736 3601 Fax: 0161 737 4115 student at the Institute of Irish Studies, bereaved relatives and survivors, until December 1796. Hoche was consolidating the empire. alliance with mere anti-politicalism so unfortunately and unnecessarily introduced as E-mail rfj@ as its cornerstone foundation respect for Web: http://www.wcml.org.uk. E-mail: [email protected] University of Liverpool, and teaches a fresh dividing issue at this juncture when all our minds ought to be set upon unity. standing up for truth and justice, who human rights. separated from his force by winter gales. The Irish government had failed to Irish history Page 11 Page 10 Irish Democrat June/July 2000 Irish Democrat June/July 2000 Book reviews Book reviews

astonishing to read the original Roller-coaster ride towards 'carnival of reaction' programme for the new Cumann na A legacy of enforced migration nGaedheal party — it included an embryonic welfare state and health people to go along with the Treaty. by and led by Kevin O'Higgins, who had service for children and access to is apparent confusion of terms like Sally Richardson reviews The Irish John M Regan's careful study, expected to come into their own when secondary education for all. These Ruairi O Domhnaill reviews The anti-Catholic" Manchester Courier as described here must have been wretched 'Ulster' and 'Irish Republic'. I took two of three sources, makes the key point Counter-revolution 1921-1936 although it does not promote any Home Rule was implemented and who radical initiatives were nipped in the bud Great Famine and Beyond: indeed! expressions "an Ulster Catholic": that academic studies largely ignore My disappointment with 'Second- ideological viewpoint, points out that the felt that they had been cheated of their very quickly. Instead, O'Higgins looked Irish Migrants in Britain in by John M. Regan, Gill and Macmillan, "Ulster-bom... Catholics": "An Ulster opinions of the immigrants. His third generation Irish in England' by Se&i anti- and pro-treaty positions do not inheritance by revolutionary elsewhere for political and financial the19th and 20th centuries, £19.99 hbk Catholic by birth" as implying that a source is "broadsheet ballads", written in Campbell was partly the result of my correspond respectively with anti- and republicanism. They wanted a support for the Free State regime — to by DM MacRaild (Editor), Irish Gael in Ulster is exceptional, although in English with "traces of Gaelic rhythmic expectations. It was exacerbated by 25 pro-democratic attitudes in the way that hierarchical Ireland where the lower old parliamentarian home-rulers and Academic Press, £35 hhk the five of its nine counties they are in a and linguistic devices". However, "little per cent of the essay being devoted to WHEN REVOLUTIONS are followed historians such as Tom Garvin have orders knew their place. even to unionists. majority — although the editor was known about the purchasers". The 'popular' musicians. Being totally by oppression anti-revolutionaries are asserted. In fact, there was considerable For the most part they were not It is impossible to do justice to this THIS IS a compilation of eleven essays contradicts my interpretation. Irish were "pre-literate" and many spoke ignorant of their work the essay was apt to rejoice, regarding it as proof, if any support for the anti-treaty position — military men and had played little part in book in such a short review. Regan has by authors of impeccable academic There is also an attempt to illustrate Gaelic. largely wasted on me. were needed, that revolution is much more than has often been allowed the armed struggle. They had thus produced an accessible text on a qualifications. MacRaild's own essay is a an historical argument with events which Notwithstanding these criticisms, The acme of this compilation must be 'altogether a bad thing'. for. missed out on the breaking down of complex and demanding subject. His coincidence of communication skill and occurred in a different country about half essays on immigration to Newcastle Enda Delaney's account of the In the case of Ireland, however, the Besides, divisive as the Treaty was, social and class barriers that had extensive research brings to light a good his fund of pertinent material. a century later. Some source material, upon Tyne, Liverpool and Manchester involvement of the British and Irish reactionary and repressive regime that there was not that much ideological occurred within the IRA, where merit deal of new material and he has His performance as an editor is more like the 1851 census, is less than ideal. are particularly informative and states in immigration 1921-45. It followed the Treaty is regarded by many difference between the anti-treatyites and ability, rather than background, interesting new things to say on many difficult to assess. It may be, as some of Some statistical descriptions are challenging. Why did Gaelic wither in incorporates a fluency of language with a crusty old reactionary as the and those republicans who backed it mattered. matters. The book contributes greatly to his contributors affirm, the medium is reminiscent of psychometric test items. Liverpool, while the Welsh language thorough research of Irish and British consolidation of democratic rule — they believing it was the best deal that could O'Higgins's task was to neutralise our understanding of how the forces of less than ideal for the topics addressed. Mervyn Busteed, who utilises the thrived? MacRaild (1999) claimed that sources, and a display of an in-depth justify the execution of men like Erskine be obtained for the time being. the pro-treaty republicans — ostensibly reaction took control of Ireland after the Notwithstanding the authors' "supercilious and patronizing" the condition of the Irish in Newcastle understanding of the prevailing political, Childers and Liam Mellows on the The real ideological divide was his own supporters. After all, many pro- revolution and illuminates our view of credentials, there are minor lapses. There Manchester Guardian and the "overtly was better than elsewhere. Worse than legal and social ethos. grounds that these men refused to accept between republicans and the Catholic treatyites were socially progressive and the political landscape of the country the democratic decision of the Irish middle-class conservatives, epitomised republican. O'Higgins was neither. It is today. strikingly defined patterns. The book Surveying adds 106 annotated maps of Ireland, Oiary of a somebody eighteen tables and forty-six figures to High crimes and legal misdemeanours Unreliable sanctuary the available canon and thereby fulfils its significance as an historical text is in its therefore, all of its repressive laws. unencumbered by conscience, happily groups engaged in the republican Rutin O 'Donnell reviews Then The brief of 'mapping' the 'Great Famine'. Ruairi 6 Domhnaill reviews Bloody treatment of political developments as the famine This is compounded by a related tolerated — perhaps sponsored — a half- movement's campaigns— De Valera Walls Came Down: a prison Colour maps would have improved Sunday and the Rule of Law relayed to Morrison during the advent of strategy — the author concentrates on century of fascism in Northern Ireland. raised a mammoth £5 million in the journal by Danny Morrisson, Merrier the appearance of the book but if the in Northern Ireland by the first IRA ceasefire. While the costs entailed were deemed prohibitive it history since 1921, "when the province Such "rights" as have been 1920s following his escape from Lincoln I'ress, £9.99 pbk Dermot PJ Walsh, Macmillan, decision to forgo explanatory footnotes Ruan O'Donnell reviews Mapping is undoubtedly better to have affordable was established". reluctantly allowed, stem from prison. £15.99 pbk adds to narrative fluidity and reflects the the Great Irish Famine: a access to the perfectly legible black and The effect is to exclude detailed international conventions. The However, according to McElrath, the FORMER Sinn Fein national publicity book's character as a reconstructed international courts of justice refused to influence of the 'special relationship survey of the famine decades white alternatives. discussion of pertinent events preceding director Danny Morrison is best known journal, it also means that the full import THIS WORK is based on painstaking the foundation of the statelet, which address the Bloody Sunday case, and as between Britain and the US has had a by Li'am Kennedy, Paul S. Ell, E.M. While not the primary aim of the for advocating that republicans should of such events is not fully explained. research conducted on behalf of the materially influenced Northern Ireland's the author points out, have been less than much greater influence on American Crawford and LA. Clarkson, Four authors, the current state of famine seek power with a ballot box in one hand Morrison, of course, was obliged to historiography is briefly assessed and people of Derry. In 1996, Dr Walsh was constitution and laws. munificent to the people of the six policy in relation to political prisoners or Courts Press £19.95 pbk and an an nalite in the other. submit all writings to censors and was use made of publications brought out to commissioned by the Bloody Sunday These include the Tories cynical use counties. the overall political situation, than any An activist on several fronts, presumably circumspect even in the mark the 150th anniversary of 1845 and Trust to investigate the events of 30th of the "Orange card", the home-rule There are elements of hope in Dr consideration for human rights or the Morrison spent five years in Crumlin letters selected for smuggling out. What THIS IMPRESSIVE new reference succeeding years. January 1972 and that monument to debacle, House of Lords support for Walsh's proposals, but the omens are not political situation in the North. Road Jail and the H-Blocks following his is clear is that he remained sufficiently book on Ireland's calamitous 'Great The choice of themes covered in British judicial rectitude, the Widgery unionists, the Solemn League and promising. The Guardian reports that, For this reason the US, no more than conviction for imprisoning and informed when imprisoned as to be in a Famine' is the work of four academics Mapping the Great Irish Famine and its Tribunal. Covenant, the UVF and its arming by the contrary to orders, the British Army has Britain itself, can realistically claim to be conspiring to kill an IRA informer in position to offer critical analysis to the based in the Department of Economic mature overview has clearly benefited Dermot PJ Walsh describes Kaiser's Germany, the Curragh Mutiny, destroyed vital evidence required by the neutral in the conflict. The 'special 1990. Now a novelist and writer, Sinn Fein leadership, analysis which and Social History and the School of population, disease and food are well from the recent surge of interest. contemporary history with the sense of and after the Great War, the conduct of Saville Tribunal. relationship' was evident during the Morrison's 'journal' comprises letters may yet be shown to have influenced the Sociology at Queen's University, covered along with such less typical Naturally, the long term efforts of intimacy of a Belfast resident. His the Boundary Commission. Geoff Hoon, H.M. Secretary for Thatcher/Reagan era with the narrowing sent to his partner and associates during party's progression towards negotiations Belfast. aspects of research as gender ratios, Cormac O'Grada and other specialists analysis of the Widgery Tribunal is a tour The premise should have been that Defence, has apologised "in a written of the political offence exception in extradition cases — generally seen as the his time behind bars. he had long favoured. Eschewing the traditional forms of work practices and housing. have also been surveyed. de force. When he finds events the establishment of Northern Ireland answer in the Commons... (he) expressed deep regret". No doubt the pay-back for Britain's support for the US The candour, intimacy and often There are many poignant anecdotes historical narrative, Kennedy, Crawford The textual segments are extensively This volume is an essential "strange", "bizarre", "incredible", was founded in illegality (by unionists' Enda Finlay reviews Unsafe miscreants will be suitably admonished. bombing of Libya. surprising political content of the in this book which provide glimpses of and Clarkson contribute short, thematic illustrated by the cartography of Paul S. companion to existing and future full "perverse" and "hopelessly flawed", he own standards) and was a negation of Haven: the United States, the democracy (by any standards). McElrath also examines the conduct selected letters indicates that they were the gallow's humour, fluctuating morale articles on a wide range of famine- Ell whose excellent maps translate length narrative treatments of one of the is not indulging in hyperbole. The people of Derry want justice, but IRA and political prisoners by never intended for public eyes. The and legendary resilience of Irish political related topics. Key issues such as However, his use of the term The rule of law — protection of the they are unlikely to get it from the UK, and coverage of the US media, which complex statistical d .ca into often greatest disasters in European history. Karen McElrath, Pluto Press, £12.99 resultant sense of insight more than prisoners. Remarkably, republican and "terrorist", almost exclusively reserved citizen from arbitrary government action where lawyers deal in different terms. As almost unfailingly regurgitates the Sir Louis Blom-Cooper, Q.C. has pbk British line, and faithfully adheres to the compensates for its unorthodox loyalist paramilitaries were obliged to His study is really concerned with Ireland from that time. for republicans, betokens the insidious — did not suddenly evaporate in self-segregate in Crumlin Road during Citadels of dominion asserted: "The law is... unconcerned 'hierarchy of deaths', used by their epistolary and strictly chronological castles themselves and how they reflect When Henry Vm became the first success of British propaganda. Northern Ireland on Bloody Sunday. Morrison's time there, a prison in which with guilt or innocence. Its concern is British counterparts. McElrath's format. on the Norman lordships and influenced English king to declare himself 'King of The basic strategy is to critically British law, per se, traditionally affords THE UNITED States has traditionally one remand prisoner was held for conviction or acquittal". arguments are powerful and Morrison's reminiscences in his more Peter Berresford Ellis reviews Castles changes among the Gaelic kings and Ireland' and sent an emissary to address analyse events, adopting the citizens "no inalienable rights". been seen as a haven for republicans attempting to kill the father of another. illuminating. personal letters place the 'journal' in the in Ireland: feudal power in a their nobles. the 'Anglo-Norman' Lords in a Dublin methodology of the legal professions — The supremacy of parliament and the Dr Walsh, now Professor of Law at engaged in the struggle for Irish unity and independence. The United Irishmen, By examining the so-called non- wider tradition of prison memoirs and The improved atmosphere in the H- Gaelic world by Tom McNeill, This study talks of the role of castles, parliament of 1541, he found only one Dr Walsh is a Banister at Law. Thus the power to legislate retrospectively, make Limerick, might ask the older locals to many former inmates would Blocks after the 1981 hunger strikes case presented implicitly accepts the the mystical British constitution an ideal translate "cuimhm'gh ar Lumineach agus the Fenians, and republicans active in the intervention policy of most US Routledge, £12.99pbk is replete with line drawings, such Lord had enough English to immediately relate to his stories of benefitted Morrison whose prison photographs and descriptions, rather translate the emissary's words into Irish efficacy of Northern Ireland and tool of the ruling class, which feall na Sasanach". 20th century have occasionally sought administrations in relation to political routine, tedium, visits, camaraderie and journal is one of the most interesting than people and policies. for his fellows to understand. They had refuge there to escape repression at prisoners, she concludes that political home. considerations, particularly relations tension. recent publications arising from the I AM not criticising the book when I say However, and interestingly, McNeill all been completed assimilated into the with Britain, have often been the Where the book takes on extra conflict. that the subtitle may be misleading for argues that the very design of these Irish nation. America has also been an important Making common cause source for financing and arming those determining factor. many readers who are looking for some castles contests the traditional view of Tom McNeill presents an excellent historical and social analysis on feudal Ireland as a land continually torn by war physical picture of these lords and their tantalising glimpse of the contact Reviews in brief David Granville reviews Partners In L I can offer him two more. When the power and the changes in Gaelic society and divided culturally between the castles. However, for a deep between Engli radical and Irish Sociology of division Revolt — the United Irishmen Irish Football Association soccer team IT REALLY says something about Irish Ballymurphy in Belfast. caused by its introduction into Ireland. 'English' and Irish. He is to be understanding of the social changes, one revolutionary currents. 1792-1798 (1803) and the takes the field its supporters refer to the politics and society that This Great It is therefore most welcome that This is essentially an archaeologist's congratulated. still has to defer to Dr Katharine Simm's An exploration of the links between Bobbie Heatley reviews British reform movement by 'national' side. In desperation some Little Nation: the A-Z of Irish there is a new, fully revised edition of view of physical structures and, indeed, It is high time that scholars are seminal study From Kings to Warlords: the United Irishmen and the London Contemporary Northern Irish people fall back on the 'region . Only a scandals and controversies Ciaran de Baroid's account of the that is what Dr McNeill is, a senior prepared to knock down that myth that it The Changing Political Structure of Sedn Redmond, £3 (pamphlet) Corresponding Society, the Scottish Society, an Introduction by colonial influence can cause this much by Gene Kerrigan and Pat Brennan (Gill conflict as it affected this staunchly lecturer medieval archaeology at was the 'English' who arrived in Ireland Gaelic Ireland in the Later Middle Ages Friends of the People, and later with the Colin Coulter, Pluto Press, £14.99 pbk confusion among a largely homogenous and Macmillan, £7.99 pbk ) even exists. republican community. Queen's University, Belfast. in 1169 and that 'English' was spoken in (Boydell Press, 1987). THE SECOND pamphlet by the author Society of United Englishmen and the Writing about Irish society in 1913, Ballymurphy and the Irish to have been published in recent months Society of United Scotsmen, forms the pet pie. basis of the pamphlet. THIS BOOK sets out to examine and But it would be wrong to suggest that Yeats referred to "fumbling in the greasy War (Pluto Press, £12.99 pbk) deals trivial feuds and malicious attacks. Partners in Revolt outlines the extensive explain the social structure and the this book, which covers five different till" If he was describing the shenanigans with the subject in tremendous detail and A Capital man Marx formed few lasting friendships. links between the United Irishmen and In addition to Priestley, the roles politician division in Northern Ireland aspects of the scene, is either narrowly of the era since independence no doubt includes a new forward by Bernadette Fortunately Engels was an exception. the movement for democratic reform in played by key figures such as the society, but in an original way. focused or trivial. he would have noticed that the fumbling McAliskey. Its main contribution is to Ruairi 6 Domhnaill reviews Karl Marx's lifestyle was partly financed by England and Scotland — a connection Scottish radical Thomas Muir, John has become more commonplace and the Referring to the effect of UK- demonstrate in the starkest of terms how Marx by Francis Wheen, Fourth money scrounged from Engels, who largely overlooked in Ireland during the Binns, one of those arrested attempting The author correctly sees the above till greasier than ever. the recent phase of the 800-year old bi-centenary celebrations of the 1798 to smuggle Father O Coigly to France, as hand-me-downs from earlier British colonialism, the author notes that, with Estate, £20 hbk pilfered from his employers, and who the imposition of Direct Rule in 1972, The scandals and controversies Anglo-Irish conflict "transformed a lived as an English gentleman in a rebellion. and Colonel Edward Despard, a former capitalism which are now being the injection of British tax-payers' detailed here are dealt with transient working-class community with manage a trois with two Irish sisters. The pamphlet opens with a reference soldier who was arrested while planning subjected to change through the little interest in politics into a square mile a revolt in Britain to coincide with intrusion of global capital. money was stepped up and channelled alphabetically, with Haughey, Charlie THIS GRUELLING chronicle is More importantly Engels frequently to the Joseph Priestley commemoration of solid anti-state conspiracy". Emmet's failed rebellion in Ireland, are Hbwever, he relies too much on down to street level through traditional occupying six-and-a-half pages in his probably an appropriate vehicle to wrote material for Marx and collated organised by the Connolly Association Ruth Frow of the Working Class also explored. ethno-religious explanations as the state-friendly institutions and sponsored own right — although he's associated A History of Settlement In describe Marx's gruelling life — an Volumes II and III of Capital from the in November 1998. Movement Libray and the historian Peter source of present-day identities and, by selective groups within the communities. with many more. Ireland (Terry Barry ed„ Routltdge, everyday tale of "bailiffs, boils and chaos which Marx left. Priestly, a scientist, Unitarian The author argues that British policy Berresford Ellis, this informative and well-written pamphlet will hopefully implication, conflicts. Kevin Bean, a research student at It would have been interesting if the £40 hbk) is an impressive collection of boorishness". Wheen tediously discusses minister and supporter of both the towards Ireland in the 1790s cannot be stimulate further in-depth research into Unintended humour can arise when Liverpool University, among others, has authors had estimated the total cost to the papers on the history of Irish settlement, In the context set, it would be allegations of Marx's fathering an French revolution and Catholic fully understood without an awareness this important aspect of the revolutionary dealing with this topic. The author found highlighted the aim: to pacify the taxpayer of all the scandals described. each written by a recognised expert for difficult not to judge Marx's private life illegitimate son by his wife's maid emancipation, was forced to flee to that during this period the British and democratic struggles on both sides it difficult to choose a title. Ultimately he disaffected and attach them to the state. Read it and weep. each period, such as Kevin Whelan's by anything other than the bourgeois Whoever the father, the baby was sent America with his family after their home establishment was fighting on three of the Irish Sea. took Northern Irish which tagged him. One does not have to agree with the Few places in Northern Ireland have "Settlement and society in eighteenth- standards by which he lived. Like many for adoption, and appeared to have led a in Birmingham was burnt to the ground fronts simultaneously: the war with He notes his other options: 'the North of author's 'take' on everything to derive come to symbolise the heart of century Ireland". Although the papers great men Marx was an over-bearing long and fulfilled life, unlike Marx's six by a 'King and country' mob. Prior to his France; the revolt in Ireland; and the Partners in Revolt is available reform movement at home. Ireland', the 'north-east of Ireland', the benefit from this interesting and largely republican struggle against British were presented at an academic genius, totally lacking in generosity wonders, like the author, what Marx acknowledged offspring, four of whom departure an address was sent to him by directly from the author at 33 Lindsay 'six-counties', the 'province', and, even, jargon-free book which will stimulate occupation and unionist domination in conference, there is plenty here for towards those with whom he disagreed. would have achieved had he not predeceased him. Those who survived the Society of United Irishmen in An excellent introduction to the Road, Dublin 9 and from the Four everyone. Pity about the price. 'Ulster'. both debate and controversy. the most recent phase of the conflict than Considering his vast intellect, one "frittered" away his time on unworthy, him both committed suicide. appreciation of his stand, offering a subject, complementing recent work by Provinces Bookshop in London. Page 10 Irish Democrat June/July 2000 Irish Democrat June/July 2000 Page 11

Reviews/culture kwn-om Gerard Curran's songs page Sources said... Seamus 6 Cionnfhaola James Connolly Chorus wines, PETER MULLIGAN'S regular An unusual hybrid of criticism and journal Who comes and takes the holdin' but foolish Muity Hynes. trawl through the pages of Caoine an the Irish Rebel Come all you young fellows men that want to get But when the noble Lard League got word of this the British press Blechtmmmel (The Tin Drum). Scott Fitzgerald), a political married' disgrace, A Raid into Frank Foley reviews 'The reluctant novelist'. Canon conservatism becomes apparent. mangaire This superb song appears in the book The Easter Take my advice, leave the women alone; They sent a man to Murty to raison out the case; Bloody Sunday — "Christopher Dark Corners and Other Sheehan. demonstrated a simple, ascetic, Ascendancy "dark corners" are not Rising in Song and Ballad by Desmond Greaves. The For it's by the Lord Harry, if ever you marry, "I own my crime," says Murty. "but I'll wash out the Clarke QC, counsel for the inquiry, said Essays by Benedict Kiely: Cork (De Valerian), ideal for the Gaeil — "a exempt, including George Moore's sugach name of the songwriter is not given. They'll leave you there rocking the cradle along. stain—, that members might gain some insight University Press. £14.95pbk hardy race who lived on oatmeal, came assertion that "Moore Hall might serve I'll keep that farm no longer; I'll give it up again." into the minds of the soldiers involved to mass on time and were content with as a token of my admiration for a (Lament of the mangaire sugach) A great crowd had gathered outside of Kilmainham, from the evidence of a 'display of THIS IS an unusual hybrid of literary no money in their pockets," with an A RAID INTO * Protestantism that has given Ireland all With their heads uncovered they knelt on the ground, The Holy Ground And then he wrote a letter and sent it to the League, triumphalism'." — "We'll get you Paddy criticism arid personal journal. The style "Irish youth" uncontaminated by the our great men and our Anglo-Irish ANDREW McGRATH, commonly For inside that prison lay a brave Irish soldier, This brings back memories of the great sing-songs in Saying, "From the cause of Ireland I never will renege, Bastards tomorrow" — "Paras 13 — varies, being written over 40 years. The "pernicious doctrines of materialistic literature". known as the 'mangaire sugach' or the His life for his country about to lay down. the farmhouse of my sister and brother-in-law, Nora And never more, I promise, while Heaven above shines, Paddies 0" "Ha, ha, ha. Hee, he, he. essays embrace the work of writers like science". Consequently, the burning of Moore 'jolly merchant', having been expelled and Mick, who will be remembered by some as the Irish Will I for land go grabbin'," says honest Murty Hynes. We've got 13 more than you — 1 Para" "Father Prout", Frank O'Connor, Sean O The latter was a sentiment shared by Hall becomes a commentary on the from the Catholic Church for his He went to his death like a true son of Ireland, Times agriculture correspondent, and for his livestock (soldiers graffiti, Derry city. The Times) Faolain, and Brendan Behan, whose his contemporaries. Perhaps an idealist "twisted ways of Ireland". One of the licentious life, offered himself as a The firing party he bravely did face, reports on RTE. Mick used to sing this song with great Och, when the people heard it, they gathered in a crowd, work must have varied also under tract like Plato's Republic or Thomas darkest is: "Irish manuscripts, histories convert to the doctrines of Protestantism. Then the order rang out: "Present Arms, Fire,' gusto and we all joined in. The boys brought their banners, and bate their drums The unionists — "Although their puritanical tradition and censorship. Moore's Utopia, would have rewarded and traditions served only to nourish and However, the Protestant clergy also James Connolly fell into a ready-made grave. aloud. principal demand is for Kiely can place a writer's work in him more than a novel, which he foster vacuity, idleness and habits refused to accept him, causing the Adieu my fair young maiden, a thousand times adieu. And there was songs and speeches, and dancin light decommissioning, most of them do not perspective with historic detail and regarded as, at best, frivolous and at pernicious to industry." unfortunate mangaire to vent his feelings The black flag they hoisted, the cruel deed was over, We must bid farewell to the Holy Ground and and gay, want an inclusive process with Sinn Fdin poetic description of the landscape. His worst, profane. ANO OTHER ESSAYS Unfortunately, the absence of notes in this lament. Gone was the man who loved Ireland so well, the girls that we love true. Around the flaming bonfires that night in old Lougrea. in government. Many of them at heart essay on Seamus Heaney conveys the Kiely suggests a mystical union of and references, and piling literary There was many a sad heart in Dublin that morning, We shall sail the salt sea over, and return again for sure, simply do not want Catholics in visceral force of the best of Heaney's the Gaeil and their ancestral lands. In 'A references on top of each other, may lead A dhalta dhil an danaid leat mo chas When they murdered James Connolly, the Irish Rebel. To seek the girls who wait for us in the Holy Now all true sons of Erin, wherever you may be. government: that's not to say they don't work, with an interesting section on the Land Without Stars', he mourns the expressed the spirit of any place, is to a loss of focus. They may add to the anois, Ground once more. Come join in celebratin' this glorious victoree. want peace; but they don't want this significance of eels, influenced by Volker demise of the Gaelic language and avers always alive in that place." In 'The Great impression that Kiely is acutely aware of Im charta ag Eaglais gan fath ar bith, God's curse on you, England, you cruel hearted And by Colombia's rivers, and 'midst Canadian pines, peace process." (David McKittrick, The Independent) Schondorff's film of Gunter Grass's Die that "the man who had once perfectly Gazebo' (surely a punning reference to F. his own erudition. An aicme seo ni ghlachfaidh me ach im monster; chorus Give three cheers for the Land League and NINE for fhanaire Your deeds, they would shame all the devils in Hell. Murty Hynes. 's ni ghabhaid liom im Protestant na im There are no flowers blooming but the Shamrock is FINE GIRL YOU ARE Orange marches — "That (the growing, troubles) effects foreign investment in S\ mhnlv slogans and symbolic motifs, nationalists Papaire! You're the girl that I adore IN NOH1 M{ UN IHt I AND On the grave of James Connolly, the Irish Rebel. And still I live in hopes to see The Freedom Come-all-Ye Northern Ireland. It certainly effects Signs of the times have come to dominate the political discourse". Deir pearsa acu gur cearuch neamh The Holy Ground once more Here's a great lowland Scottish song by Hamish tourism. And soon we will be in the The Four Courts in Dublin the English bombarded, FINE GIRL YOU ARE Henderson. It speaks for itself— although it probably marching season again, so all the usual Sally Richardson reviews Symbols military installation) is part of its power. Repulicans lead; loyalists follow ghnSthach me, One way of interpreting a symbol is The spirits of freedom they tried to quell, helps if you are familiar with Lallans. negative stories will dominate CNN and in Northern Ireland edited by rather lamely behind. Kenney gives C6 go n-admhaim gur sasanach Ai to deny its political content, insisting that undue respect, however, to the potty 15thair me, For above all the din rose the cry 'No Surrender', Oh the night was dark and stormy, you scarce the other media." (John Stringer, Belfast Anthony D. Buckley. Institute of Irish fqA Chamber of Commerce, quoted in The it is 'normal' and value-free. This is ideas of Ian Adamson — the concept of Deir a n-uair scaram leis gur ag aifreann 'Twas the voice of James Connolly, the Irish Rebel could see the moon, Roch the wind in the clear day's dawnin', Studies. £8.50 pbk Times) disingenuous, to say the least, as it Ulster protestants as the ancient Cruithin is gnath me, And our good old ship was tossed about, and her Blaws the cloods heelster gowdy in the bay. constitutes a political position in itself. IT* does not stand up to scrutiny and is just Is nach ceachtair sin m£, Protestant na her rigging was all torn: But there's mair nor a roch wind blowin' THE CONTRIBUTORS to this volume Dominic Bryan deals with a classic another attempt by loyalists to separate Papaire. The Old Man's Lament With her seams agape and leaky, with her timbers Through the great glen o' the world the day Peace conditions — "The dozed and old, It's a thocht that will gar oor rottens, cumulative effect of these three grim are for the most part anthropologists and instance of this in his piece on Orange themselves from the 'wild Irish'. In an impoverished land, where pretty girls were so And still I live in hopes to see the Holy Ground once A' they rogues that gang gallus fresh and gay, developments is to leave the progressive, experts on popular culture and although marches and their portrayal in the The only problem with looking at the Dearbhim gan dearmad nach folair leis often given in marriage to rich old men, the ancient more Tak' the road an' seek ither loanins, creative wing of Ulster Unionism this is a book by academics under an Unionist and British media. 'A fun day people of the six counties as material for me. independence of women still asserted itself. This was For their ill ploys tae sport and play hopelessly hemmed in. ...there is not accademic imprint it is aimed at a wide out — bring all the family' is the usual anthropological study is the tendency to Do ceartha anois le h-eachtana do lathair the explanation of this song given to collector Alan Chorus now one Unionist veto but two. The readership and is mercifully free of message, often in a pull-out supplement, fall into the trap of regarding society in cirt, Lomax jargon. with loyalist paramilitaries, drunkenness the north as being divided between 'two Go racha liom chun achrainn, gan spas ar Nae mair will the bonnie callants UUP is saying 'No guns, no government' but also 'No RUC, no All political conflicts and struggles and violence kept out of the picture. tribes' and to leave out the colonialist bith. The other evening I chanced to go roaming, Mairch tae war when oor Braggarts crousley craw. government'. Mr. Trimble may have throw up a variety of symbols, which Symbols used by one side can be framework (British occupation) that 's go gcaithfea^a bheith im Protestant Down by the clear river I jogged along Murty Hynes Nor wee wains frae pit-heid an' clachan been able to finesse one of those issues, often have to be seen in a particular appropriated by another — Cuchullain, ST causes the divisions, and neglect the n6 im Pipaire. I met an old man making sad lamentation Members of the Land League showed great patience Mourn the ships sailin' doon the Broomielaw somehow wiggling through a context to become emotionally and long a republican figure, has been political ideology behind the symbols. About rocking the cradle and the child not his own and understanding of Murty's 'misdemeanour' and did Broken families in lands we've herriet compromise that kept everyone on side, culturally charged. As Neil Jarman pinched by loyalists. I There is much of interest here, An sagart deir gur fSnaire neamh- not make a pariah of him after he 'd admitted his error Will curse Scotland the brave nae mair, nae mair; but not two." (The Guardian) points out in his essay on political Although republicans have loyalist/unionist) Mary Catherine though, and Linda May Ballard's essay adhmarach me, Chorum and gave up the farm of an evicted tenant. Black an' white, ane til ither maniet murals, the position of a mural (for occasionally borrowed from loyalists Kenney admits that: "By a creative on motor-cycle dress was an unexpected 's go dtaraingin le mangaireacht na mnd Mak' the vile barracks o' thyeir maistares bare. example, as a challenge to a British (the mural tradition was originally choice of the more successful metaphors. delight. chun oilc, Ee-i-o, my laddie, lie easy, Come all true sons of Erin, I hope you will draw near, Collusion — "I think it is important to Gur measa me na fgaire ata le broid, Perhaps your own Daddy might never be known. A new and true narration I mean to let you hear. O come all ye at hame wi' freedom, make it clear that this collusion between The overall effect might be described Fare, dedicated to another founder 's nach gabhaid liom an Protestant na im I'm weeping and weary with rocking the cradle, T'is for your information I pen these simple lines Never heed whit the hoodies craok for doom; Loyalists paramilitaries such as Robin as akin to the Pogues in their wilder member of The Popes, Mo O'Hagan, P&paire. And nursing a baby that's none of my own. Consaming of the Land League, likewise of Murty In your hoose a' the bairns o' Adam Jackson and my RUC colleagues and me moments, but far punkier — not who died recently, and Bobby Sands' Hynes. Can find breid, barley bree an' painted room. was taking place with the full knowledge of my superiors." (Statement by former altogether surprising given that frontman Back Home in Derry. I'm sorry, my neighbours, I married this fair one, When Maclean meets wi's freens in Springburn RUC officer John Weir, 3 February 1999) Leeson O'Keefe (vocals/banjo/guitar) is It's not often you'll find traditional Focloir She favours the neighbours and none of her own, For when upon the roadside poor Bermigham was sent, A' the roses an' geans will turn tae bloom, a former member of Shane McGowan's songs such as Spancilhill and The Foggy (vocabulary, notes and translations) She goes out every evening to balls and to parties, Because with all his striving he could not pay the rent, And a black boy frae yont Nyanga Dings the fell gallows o' the burghers doon band The Popes. Dew played with such energy or hear Caoine an mangaire sugach: And leaves me here rocking the cradle alone. And keep ould Lord Dunsandle in horses, dogs and Stressed out — "Thousands of For their first US visit, O'Keefe and The Irish Rover given the 'Star- A dhalta dhil (beloved); an danaid leat RUC officers have been looking for the rest of the band, Gavin Carroll (bass) Spangled' (& la Jimi Hendrix) treatment. (do you pity); mo chas (my case); Im counselling and careers advice since Marie McCormack (whistle), Barry There's even less chance that you'll charta ag eaglais gan f£th ar bith The monthly widespread police reforms were Hollywood (rhythm guitar), Roy Harris hear them played in the same set as the (pursued by priest and minister in dire Join the Connolly Association announced. The Police Rehabilitation V in its campaign for unity and peace In Ireland and Retraining Trust, set up to counsel (drums/bodhran) and Marion Gray Clash's ska tribute White Man at disgrace); An aicme seo ni ghlachfaidh newspaper of the RUC officers has been inundated with (fiddle), stormed their way through a Hammersmith Palais or the Undertones' me ach im fhanaire (the churchmen calls. About 80 per cent of the officers selection of souped-up traditional and high-energy youth anthem Teenage brand the vagabond upon my brow); 's ni Membership £10 per year; £12 (joint), £6 (joint Labour seen by psychologist Dr. Michael ft*. not-so-traditional songs and tunes. Kicks. While the more traditional music ghabhaid liom im Protestant nd im unwaged); £5 students, unemployed and Patterson are suffering from post- based Neck, who recently embarked on a For this reviewer, the pearl in the lovers among you will no doubt be Pdpaire (they'll not take me being pensioners. Membership includes a subscription left Psycho-ceilidh: que traumatic stress disorder, or are showing short tour of the USA, which is where band's twin set at Rocky Sullivan's bar, thankful of this, for those who like to Protestant or Papist ); Deir pearsa acu to the Irish Democrat. some of the symptoms. There is a four- the editor of this paper was fortunate Manhattan, was what must surely have walk a little more on the wild side check gur cearuch neamh ghnathach m6, Ce go est ce que e'est? week waiting list for clinical psychology enough to run into them. been the fastest and loudest version of them out, and as they say in the US, n-admhaim gur sasanach d£ lathair me For further details or a membership form contact: The Connolly sessions at the centre. (BBC News IT'S A fair assumption that any While there is no denying that the the The Fields of Athenry ever played on enjoy. (the parson calls me wanderer and Association, 244 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1X 8JR Online) contemporary Irish band that describes band's considerable musical skills are earth. Neck's EP, Psycho Ceil(dh is homeless knave, and though I boast the its music as 'psycho ceilidh' isn't going rooted in the folk tradition, their live Other gems included a number of the available at gigs and through the band's Saxon creed with aspect grave); Deir a n- to sound like Mary Black or the latter- performances infuse it with bone- band's own compositions such as Blood website at http://www.neck- uair scaram leis gur ag aifreann (my RUC pensions — "Chris Patten, the day Finbar Furey. shaking doses of high-energy rock 'n' on the Streets, about the deaths of Robert neck.freeserve.co.uk Popish face must allow); Is nach former Governor of Hong Kong, estimated that 'exit costs' for the RUC That's certainly true of London- roll and punk. Hamill and Rosemary Nelson, The Ferry David Granville ceachtair sin me (although I am neither). Four Provinces would amount to £475 million in the first three years of reform, reaching a total of £995 million after ten years." (The Times) author of The Rights of Man, dies New rebellion, 1798 Tyburn, London, 1681 Markiewicz, republican, radical and the Irish bookshop Anniversary parade York, 1809 June 25 Dr Bridget Rose Dugdale, July 2 Rev. James Porter hanged for first woman to be elected to the Chris Maguire selects some notable June 13 Michael Collins meets the English heiress and Oxford graduate, satirising Lord Castlereagh in Samuel Westminster parliament (she didn't take 244 Gray's Inn Road, London days for June and July British politician Winston Churchill in sentenced to nine years' imprisonment Neilson's Northern Star, 1798 her seat), dies 1927 LAST WORD London, 1922 for her part in a ! elicopter hijacking and July 6 Clann na Poblachta founded by July 16 Ireland's first holiday camp WC1X 8JR Special introductory offer tor Irish Democrat renders June 1 John Mitchel, son of a June 18 Thirteen apprentice boys of attack on the RUC station at Strabane, S6an MacBride, 1946; Thomas More, Butlins, opens at Mosney, 1948 tel: 020 7833 3022 "We most eSimestly desire to help in Presbyterian minister, Young Irelander Derry shut the city's gates against Lord 1974 politician and writer, executed by Henry July 17 Henry Joy McCracken, United A year's subscription by post — £8 bringing about a lasting peace between and founder of the United Irishman Antrim's 'Redshanks', Catholic troops June 26 Charles Stewart Parnell, Irish VIII, 1535 Irish leader, hanged at Belfast market- the peoples of these two islands, but see newspaper, transported on board the loyal to King James thus starting the nationalist leader, marries Kitty O'Shea July 9 Edmund Burke, politician, writer, house, 1798 For a wide selection of Irish-interest books, history, Return this coupon wtth your name, address and cheque made out to "Socialist no avenue by which it can be achieved if Scourge to Van Diemen's Land Siege of Derry, 1688 in Brighton. England, 1891. He dies four orator and critic of the French revolution, July 29 William Smith O'Brien, former politics, culture, greetings cards, mugs, badges, Irish Campaign Group News' to: you deny Ireland's essential unity and set (Tasmania), 1848. June 20 James Clarence Mangam, poet months later. dies, Beaconsfield, near London, 1797 conservative politician turned Young SCON, TO Box 188, London SW1A OSG. language materials, music tape and, CDs aside the principle of national self- June 3 Mayoman Michacl Gaughan, and journalist, he wrote Dark Rosaleen July 1 William of Orange's forces, July 10 Kevin O'Higgins, pro-treaty Irelander, leads an unsuccessful rising of determination." IRA hunger striker, dies, 1974 and for Gavan Duffy's Nation, dies of backed by Pope Innocent XI, defeat politician who defended the execution of peasants against police at Ballingarry, June 4 Henry Grattan, Protestant malnutrition in Meath Hospital, Dublin. James II's Jacobitc army at the Battle of 27 republicans in 1922-23 and founded Co. Tipperaiy, 1848 Open 11am-4pm, Tuesday to Saturday Eamon de Valera replying to an politician and supporter of Catholic 1849; Wolfe Tone born, 1763 the Boyne, 1690; Oliver Plunkett, the Garda Sfoch£na, shot dead by July 30 Eugene O'Cuny, scholar and invitation from Lloyd George to emancipation dies, 1820 June 22 United Irishman, Kelly of Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of unknown gunmen, 1927 influence on the Gaelic-language revival, Mail order and catalogue available on request begin negotiations. 28 June 1921 June 8 Tom Paine, English radical and Killane, hanged for his part in the Ireland, hung, drawn and quartered at July 15 Countess Constance dies, Dublin, 1862 Imsh temocMC Anonn Is Anall: The Peter Berresford Ellis Column

It has been argued by apologists for William that legislation. In 1727 yet another Act provided that he was personally appalled by the legislation and "no Catholic shall be entitled or admitted to vote at that he only gave royal assent because he knew the election of any member to serve in Parliament, which side his bread was buttered. While this may or at the election of any magistrate for any city, or be debatable. Viscount Sidney, the Lord Lieutenant, other town,". How penal certainly was agitated by the legislation. His With the accession of Anne to the throne in criticism made him unpopular among the colonials. 1702, came a series of laws "to prevent the further He was soon recalled. growth of Popery". If the son of a Catholic The event that was of significance for Ireland converted to the established Church he could take actually happened on the continent. In 1695, the over ownership of his father's property and throw defeat of the French at Namur brought a close to the him out, or indeed, if any Protestant, convert or War of Grand Alliance leading to the Treaty of otherwise, found he had an interest in any Catholic were the Ryswick. With William everywhere victorious, his estate he could claim it. To this Bill was added the Irish parliament, summoned that year by his new first major legislation against dissenting Protestants, Lord Lieutenant, Capel, was confident to push mainly concentrated in Ulster. ahead with even more draconian legislation. Indeed, On March 4, 1704, the royal assent was given to Lord Capel. in opening the parliament, announced the Bill. By this Act the Penal Laws in their that William was now intent on the settlement of expressed intent could be considered almost Ireland "upon a Protestant interest". complete. Dissenting Protestants, the mainly penal laws? The first Act of the new series was 'An Act for Presbyterians of the north, were as much 'non- the better securing the government by disarming the citizens' as Catholics. Papists' . All Catholics were to 'decommission' their A Presbyterian minister was liable to three weapons by a certain date. After that arbitrary months jail for delivering a sermon and fined £100 searches would be made. If arms were found there if caught celebrating the Lord's Supper. If couples were various punishments — fines, imprisonment, were discovered to have been married by a the pillory and public floggings. Presbyterian minister, they were dragged into a That meant that no Catholic could even go Church of England and accused of the crime of hunting for the occasional rabbit for the pot — the fornication. Such marriages, even among start of the remarkable change of the staple diet of Presbyterians, were declared illegal. the poor to a reliance on tubers, a crop that could be grown on any small patch and which was essentially hidden from voracious conquerors. It also meant By 1704, nine tenths of that in areas where armed Protestant militias were, Catholics were totally defenceless. Woe to them if the Irish were they were known to have money or coveted valuables or even an attractive wife or daughter. The effectually reduced to a search for arms was a perfect excuse for the excesses of the rapacious 'conquerors'. slave population under Catholics were prohibited education. They were control of the colonial already debarred from being tutors or teachers and now could not even receive education. Many Irish Catholics were being sent to Europe for education in masters schools and universities so the parliament swiftly Exodus was one Irish response to the oppression of the penal laws enacted "that if any subjects of Ireland should, after The Act of 1704 excluded all Presbyterians from that session, go, or send any child or person to be holding office in the law, army, navy, customs and Peter Berresford Ellis reminds us that the introduction of the series of educated in any popish universities, college, or excise or in municipal employment. In 1715 a school or etc etc." they would "forfeit all their further Act made it an offence for Presbyterian penal restrictions which followed the 1691 Treaty of Limerick had an estates, both real and personal, during their lives". ministers to teach children and this was punishable equally devastating impact on the lives of Ireland's Catholic and with three months in prison. Intermarriage between VEN AFTER the Williamite dissenting Protestants and Anglicans was declared dissenting Protestant population confiscations, Catholics still owned 14 illegal and even as late as 1772 Presbyterians were per cent of Irish land. So between 1704 punished for holding religious gatherings. and 1709 more Acts were passed which This was, ironically, the 'religious freedom' HEN IT comes to Dr Samuel administration, the desolation of the late war began stopped Catholics from purchasing which the Orange Order now so enthusiastically Johnson (1709-1784) and the to disappear, and prosperity, peace and confidence land, or taking leases for longer than 31 celebrates. Irish, he is generally to smile once more on the country." yearsE, and which debilitated existing landowners. By 1704, nine tenths of the Irish were effectually remembered for the quip Perhaps this is a rather rose-coloured view as we By 1778 only 5 per cent of land was left in Catholic reduced to a slave population under complete attributed to him by his are talking of a period of a few months following the hands. control of the colonial masters. To be an Irish biographer James Boswell: agreement at Limerick. So extreme and petty were the laws that in 1695 Catholic or a dissenting Protestant was to be almost W"The Irish are a fair people; they never speak well of In 16'J2 the new Lord Lieutenant Henry, it was enacted that "no Papist shall be capable to a chattel. They could not have been brought to a one another". However, a more significant Viscount Sidney, convened the first Irish parliament have, or keep in his possession, or in the possession lower level except by being bought and sold at the statement of Johnson's attitude was his declaration of William's reign. At that time there were no of any other, to his use or at his disposition, any whim of their rulers as they have been in the that the Penal Laws in Ireland were "more grievous disqualifying acts against Catholics and Dissenters horse, gelding, or mare, of the value £5 or more". To previous century. Travellers in Ireland in the mid to than all the Ten Pagan persecutions of the and so Catholic and dissenting Commoners and this was added the usual clause to induce Protestants late 18th century described the Irish peasantry Christians". Peers made their way to Dublin to take their seats in to inform on Catholics or make their own searches suffering a worse state of feudal rule than their I was reminded of this remark when I came the parliament. However, in 1691 the English for such animals. The reward was the value of the French cousins under the 'ancien regime' of the across a little neo-colonialist tract How Penal Were parliament had ordered that the Oath of Supremacy animal itself. autocratic Bourbons. the Penal Ixiws'.' which tried to make out that they From May 1, 1698, all Catholics priests, It may seem curious to turn to Edmund Burke were not bad. including archbishops, bishops, monks, friars and (1729-1797) for a final comment on the Penal Laws. We have all heard about the Penal Laws which Not until 1829 were other religious were ordered out of Ireland. "If any Curious for Burke, who became a Privy Councillor, made Irish Catholics 'non citizens'; and, I hope, that of them remain after that day, or return, the was the great intellectual opponent of revolution, it is finally sunk into the national psyche that same Catholics again allowed delinquents are to be transported, and if they return whose conservative Reflections on the Revolution in Penal Laws and restrictions applied to all dissenting again, to be guilty of high treason and to suffer France provoked Thomas Paine's magnificent Protestants. Only the members of the Established to sit in parliament accordingly." That meant execution. response, The Rights of Man. Church of England were allowed civil rights in Catholics were not allowed to print and sell Burke's Irish tracts are not well known. In his Ireland after the victory' of William of Orange. without taking the Oath newspapers or books. letter To A Peer of Ireland on the Penal Laws (1782) The Treaty of Limerick, October 3, 1691, which Another Act imposed a fine of two shillings or a he compared the Penal Laws in Ireland with Louis ended William of Orange's conquest in Ireland, of Supremacy flogging in default of payment on 'every common XIV's recall of the Edict of Nantes, which had contained some liberal terms more or less labourer, being hired, or other servant retained' who secured the toleration of Protestantism in France. underwriting the laws enacted by James H's Dublin refused to work for whatever wages a Protestant This was highly progressive for the Protestants of parliament which guaranteed religious freedom for must be taken — that before anyone could take offered them even on feast days unless appointed by England had been outraged and vociferous in all denominations. office they had to acknowledge that the king of the state. denouncing the debilities of the Protestants in William himself appeared to care little or England was head of the Church. No Catholic could Another Act prevented Protestant and Catholics France brought about by this recall. Burke pointed nothing of religion and was personally a liberal take such an oath and so the Catholic Peers and from intermarrying. In 1697 the Irish Parliament out that the Penal Laws were far more horrific than man. Matthew O'Conor (1773-1844), the historian Commons were not allowed to take their seats in the even enacted that an Anglican who married a the revoking of the Edit!. and lawyer, in his study Irish Catholics from the 1692 Parliament. Catholic was immediately debarred from voting or Burke said the restrictions on Protestants in Settlement in 1691 (1813) has stated: It would not be until 1829 that Catholics were sitting in either House of Parliament. A Protestant France were far less than the suffering of Catholics "In matters of religion. King William was again allowed to sit in parliament without taking the heiress marrying a Catholic lost her inheritance. and dissenters in Ireland. They were not even liberal, enlightened and philosophic. Equally a Oath of Supremacy. Although there had been a Catholics were now prevented not only from suffering half of what the Irish were suffering; not friend to the religious as to civil liberty, he granted relaxation of the Penal Laws prior to this, still in holding government offices but from entering the even one twentieth! "... and then the penalties and toleration to dissenters of all descriptions, regardless 1828, it was shown that out of 2,062 government legal and medical professions, from holding incapacities which grew from that revocation are not of their speculative opinions. In the early part of his offices in Ireland, 2,023 were filled by Protestants. commissions in the army and navy, custom and so grievous in their nature nor so certain in their reign, the Irish Catholics enjoyed the full and free The 1692 Dublin parliament began to enact the exercise and municipal service. execution, nor so ruinous by a great deal to the civil exercise of their religion. They were protected in laws to deny rights to all other religious Over the next thirty years these laws kept being prosperity of the State, as those which were their persons and properties; their industry was denominations and there was no opposition to curb added to in order to cover any loopholes which established for a perpetual law in our unhappy encouraged; and under his mild and fostering their excesses. emerged that were not covered in previous country".