Coiste na nIarchimí JANUARY - MARCH 2007 VOLUME 9 ISSUE 1 Muslim clerics from London meet with former republican prisoners »SEE PAGE 2 Learning from the republican experience � JACKIE McMULLAN � POLITICAL TOURS Coiste.comm talks to Jackie about his new role as Meet the finve new staff members in the political advisor to Caitriona Ruane - PAGES 10-13 Political Tours initiative - PAGES 4+5 � UNITED IRISHMEN: Tour of 1798 sites of battle - PAGES 8+9 COISTE.COMM JANUARY - MARCH 2007 Learning from the republican experience n Monday 2 April diverse groups in Belfast are Pages 10-13 for interview with In a year Coiste staff now coming together to find Jackie). Leaving aside former that has members met with lasting solutions to protect all prisoners who are now four visitors who within their communities from prominent in the political already had just arrived harm. We were very grateful for institutions countless others witnessed that morning from the time and insights offered by have played an invaluable role OEngland. The group included Laurence, Dominic and Rosena helping bring about the historic historic two Muslim community which will inform and help developments we are now events - and representatives, progress our partnership work witnessing. AbdurRahmaan Anderson who here in Lambeth.” Despite these realities and it's still only works for the prison service In a year that has already the significant achievements and is trustee of Brixton witnessed historic events - and and ground-breaking political April - this Mosque, and Toaha Qureshi it's still only April - this visit developments of recent times visit was chair of Stockwell Green was another first; republican legal and discriminatory Community Services and former prisoners strolling barriers still affect former another trustee of Stockwell Mosque. through West Belfast on a political prisoners on account first; They were accompanied by two sunny, spring afternoon in of them having a conviction. senior police officers from the conversation with senior police These range from accessing republican Metropolitan Police (Lambeth officers. employment to availing of former Borough), Martin Bridger, Chief Elsewhere, others were services that everyone else Superintendent and Mark getting on with the work of takes for granted. prisoners Rowland, Strategic Performance revamping the Assembly. New And this at a time when we Manager. Ministers have been named. have the unique situation strolling The group was on a visit to Two of them, Conor Murphy where the First Minister in the through Belfast to discover lessons and Gerry Kelly are former Assembly and the Deputy First about how communities can be political prisoners, as is Martin Minister are both former West Belfast alienated from a police service McGuiness, the incoming prisoners - Ian Paisley served on a sunny, and they were eager to learn Deputy First Minister. time in Crumlin Road Prison about the experiences of former Of the 25 other members of Belfast though later benefited spring republican prisoners. Sinn Féin elected to the from an amnesty. The situation Having shown them a little of Assembly 10 of them are also would be hilarious if it wasn't afternoon the Falls Road we then sat former prisoners - Martina so serious. in down in Tar Anall for a two- Anderson, Raymond McCartney Coiste has campaigned over hour discussion on our (Chair of Coiste), Fra McCann, many years to gain full conversation experiences of policing. Alex Maskey, Jennifer McCann, citizenship for former political with senior Following the meeting Martin Gerry Adams, Francie Brolly, prisoners. There has been much Bridger commented, Paul Butler, Caral Ní Chuilin lobbying and deliberation on police “As Metropolitan Police (Treasurer of Coiste and the issue and significant officers Borough Commander for formerly Coordinator of Tar consensus arrived at. However, Lambeth I'm committed to Anall) and Barry McElduff. as yet there has been no visible working alongside all sections Besides elected members, result. of our community to build a numerous other former If long time opponents can strong partnership that republican prisoners play reach agreement on a new way properly reflects our important advisory and support forward for the North of community's needs and allows positions in the Assembly Ireland and its people surely it that community to shape ways including Jackie McMullan, is now time for the British and to prevent violence. former staff member of Coiste Irish governments to walk the Having previously worked in and currently advisor to the walk as well as talk the talk. the Police Ombudsman's office (designated) Minister for in Belfast I was keen to see how Education, Caitriona Ruane (see Laurence McKeown COISTE.COMM: � Editors: Rosie McCorley, Laurence McKeown � Layout: Gerry Morrison � Print: Novaprint, 5-7 Conway Street, Belfast 2 COISTE.COMM JANUARY - MARCH 2007 Dominic Adams, Rosie McCorley, Rosena Brown and Laurence McKeown pictured with Yvonne Murphy of the Linen Hall Library An Glór Gafa/The Captive Voice compilation editions n 1989 the first issue of An Glór 'The state is not sustained by force alone … Gafa/The Captive Voice was published The media, the education system, the by republican prisoners. The magazine churchmen and politicians all play their part was written and edited in its entirety in guarding against the dissemination of within the jails and printed and revolutionary ideas … Thus, the gaols have distributed on the outside by Sinn Féin's been the arena for a different struggle - the IPOW Department. Intended to be a quarterly it was struggle through education. Time and a never published more than three times in any one common purpose have enabled us to study year but over the course of its ten year history a the nature of the world in which we live and total of 26 editions was printed. to educate ourselves to become better able to The magazine contained a very diverse content, bring about change in the Ireland of today … including political analysis, short stories, poetry, art We hope our Captive Voice will be heard by work, satire, an update on prison campaigns, and all those who share our vision of freedom in a much more. Sensitive or controversial issues such socialist Republic.' as homosexuality and gay prisoners, and relationships between prisoners and their partners An Glór Gafa/The Captive Voice was published on the outside were never shied away from. over a ten year period - the last edition being Coiste na nIarchimí is currently involved in published just a few months before the closure of publishing a collected works of the material from Long Kesh in 2000 - and stands as an historical the 26 editions and on Wednesday 7 February record of the development within the prisons and presented Yvonne Murphy, Librarian of the Political the manner in which prisoners debated difficult Collection at the Linen Hall Library Belfast, with subjects and engaged with contemporary issues. copies of the first two volumes containing political Copies of the first two volumes of the collected articles relating to the conflict in Ireland. Later works entitled, 'Political Issues in Ireland' are publications will focus on other content - editorials, available from Coiste na nIarchimí, 10 Beechmount creative writings, a history of prison campaigns etc. Avenue, Belfast. Price £3 per volume or both volumes for £5 plus p&p. The editorial of the first edition of the magazine read; » 3 COISTE.COMM JANUARY - MARCH 2007 oiste, working alongside through its linguists to develop a vibrant multi-lingual 'Welcome Political Guide' and CD for future Tourism tour-guides to train with. Initiative, has The second phase of the training programme will Irish been hosting many see each of the outreach » C placed to build on GRÁINNE MASKEY education groups from around the world and areas rolling out an entire Caoimhin's success. The Training Co-ordinator indeed closer to home package of tourism Republican Ex-Prisoner I come from a republican ex- over a number of years. related courses. These Walking Tours are also prisoner family background Recently there has been a will include an NIOCN still ongoing in West and I am really happy to now change in funding for the accredited Political Belfast, as are the larger have the opportunity to work development of the Tourism course, designed group tours which can be for the interests of the ex- project and along with and delivered by Coiste's tailored to suit specific prisoner community, that a change and Political Tourism staff, interests. We can particularly in such an expansion of staff. Emergency First Aid and incorporate Belfast environment where we also Traditionally the project Customer Care training, (including the Shankill), get the opportunity to had two staff members web design training and Derry, South Armagh and educate both domestic and based in Belfast, marketing, and further afield into our international visitors about Caoimhin Mac Giolla merchandise training to group tours. Optional republican history and current Mhin and Ciara Adams, name but a few. extras on these group issues. but thanks to new We hope this targeted tours include; meetings Since leaving university I have funding from the training programme will with ex-prisoners, DVD's, worked in a community based Community Foundation produce a significant pool meals, accommodation environment and I have had the project now boasts a of tour guides throughout and transport. If you are extensive experience of staff of five dedicated workers who are spread throughout the North. In Belfast, Gráinne, » MEET THE FIVE STAFF FOR THE IRISH POLITICAL TOURS INITIATIVE Padraic and Seán are based in Coiste's main office; in Derry, Ruairí is based in Tar Abhaile offices; and in South Armagh, in the scenic surroundings of the Tí Chulainn Centre of Mullach Bán, is Ciara. The commencement of this project marks a very exciting time for Coiste's Political Tourism Initiative.