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Scotland, America and Denis Donaldson
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miscellaneous |
other press
 Tuesday December 20, 2005 16:18 by Red Clydeside
Scotland, America and Denis Donaldson Noraid chief warned SF about Donaldson
(by Suzanne Breen, Sunday Tribune)
Former Noraid publicity director, Martin Galvin, warned the Sinn Féin ard comhairle about Denis Donaldson's behaviour around 15 years ago.
Galvin told the Sinn Féin leadership he had "serious doubts" about Donaldson's judgement and strategy but his concerns were instantly dismissed.
"I was told that Donaldson's credentials were impeccable, that he was beyond reproach, and that he had the full confidence of the Sinn Féin leadership in Ireland," Galvin told the Sunday Tribune.
"Donaldson had taken an interest in Irish-America from the late 1980s and was sent over to run the Noraid office in New York. Almost from the moment he got there, he was a negative influence.
"He created trouble, he made bad recommendations about genuine people, he attempted to undermine supporters with traditional republican credentials and he pushed those with reformist politics on the North."
Galvin said Donaldson had been sent with the "full endorsement" of a senior Sinn Féin leader whom he refused to name. "Given the importance of Irish-America to the British at that time, it was a great posting for Donaldson. He had access to all our strategy documents, to our political contacts, and to details on all the money we raised.
"I began to notice how he tried to push out people who had hardcore politics and would be more likely to ask questions about strategy and even challenge Sinn Féin policy changes.
"He would say these people were no good, and he would push forward those who were far more malleable politically. He tried to undermine a very senior Belfast republican living in New York and also the sister of a dead INLA hunger-striker."
He claimed the Belfast IRA leadership was told Sean O'Callaghan was an informer four years before it was publicly disclosed, but O'Callaghan remained in place. "Denis Donaldson is only the tip of the iceberg," Long claimed.
It is widely believed in security and unionist political circles that Donaldson was sacrificed by his British handlers to protect a more important mole who is both a senior Sinn Féin and IRA figure.
December 19, 2005
________________
This article appeared in the December 18, 2005 edition of the Sunday Tribune.
I know that people might question the motives of Martin Galvin but this was said 15 years ago when he was still friendly with Gerry aDAMSthe hard core republicans that Donaldson removed can verify his story.
Steaknife or Stakeknife, nobody will ever know for certain which is the
correct one, but the truth looks like it was a British military
intelligence operation which means that Steaknife/Stakeknife was the
name given to the actual operation rather than an individual informer.
What does any of this got to do with Scotland you may ask?
When seanchai played in Glasgow in 1998 Denis Donaldson was present and was well known to the organiser who was also in charge of the PDF in Scotland. Denis would have saw the way that Republicans worked in Scotland and how even those who did not like each other personaly were now working together for the one goal. Remember there had been another big split in Scotland and the now head of the PDF had resolved that split and managed to convince everyone to work together for the common good.
In 2001 Scottish based Republicans managed to get 10,000 people onto the
streets of Glasgow to remember the Hunger-Strikers. Within 12 months of
this the seeds were sown for a split within the Republican Movement in
Scotland that has become as divisive as it has destructive for all of
those concerned. In early 2002 the man in charge of the Prisoners
Dependants Fund (PDF) Scotland was moved from his position and a
new man was put in charge. The man who had been removed was told that he was being moved to another job and that it was only a matter of time before the new job was ready. The new job never materialised . At a meeting of delegates from the Flute Bands and PDF in Belfast they were told that this man had nothing to do with anything anymore and was no longer a part of the Movement.Those who questioned the removal of the previous leadership structure in Scotland soon found themselves isolated and surplus to requirements. Between the removal of the man in charge and the Easter meeting in Belfast many Republicans who had'nt been told about the changes had drifted away through a lack of communication.
Those who had been classed as having hard line politics and those who
openly questioned the direction that the Movement was taking were
quickly pushed to the side so that others with less forthright views
were given positions of authority. Then in 2003 Cairde Na hEireann was
formed to represent the interests of the Republican Movement in
Scotland, The West Of Scotland Band Alliance at this stage declined
to join Cairde Na hEireann because they considered the possibility of
losing their hard fought for autonomy as being too much to stomach. A
split ensued between those loyal to the West Of Scotland Band Alliance
who were considered to be the old guard and Cairde Na hEireann who were
considered to be the young turks. The young people had little or no experiance and wher not in a position to question the whole debacle. They did not have the older and wiser heads around them to show them were mistakes had been made in the past and to make sure that they were'nt repeated.Both sides have thus far been unable
to reach any agreement with each other and have been engaged in a war
of words for the better part of two years.
There is however another group of Republicans who are aligned to
neither the West Of Scotland Band Alliance nor Cairde Na hEireann who
always questioned the real cause of the split. Their conclusion was
that British Military Intelligence was behind the whole thing. Worried
that Republicans in Scotland had been extremely pro active in
galvanizing support for the Republican Movement and managing to get
unsurpassed numbers onto the streets in memory of the Hunger-Strikers
they decided that those Republicans in Scotland would have to be put in their place. The first thing that they done was to remove the man at the top. Knowing that he was a long standing and staunch Republican with no personal baggage that could compromise him, he was moved out of the job with no suitable explanation ever being given, to this day no-one has ever given a reason for his removal. The next step was to marginalize and isolate those Republican activists who were intensely loyal to their comrade and friend. The next step was the promotion of those who would have no ties with the man and the promotion of those who at one time would never be considered for positions of authority, all of this was done at the expense and dismay of many well respected Republican Activists who had formed the backbone of Republicanism in Scotland. It should be pointed out that when this man's friends in both the North and South of the border in Ireland asked the reason for his removal they were told that it was none of their business. He still speaks to all of his friends in Ireland and is still extremly well thought of in Ireland as well as in Scotland where his experiance is used to give advice to the many Republicans who still call on his door for advice. At the time there was many rumours and innuendo regarding the man who had been removed but when he went to Ireland to clear it up the new man in Ireland who was now dealing with things in Scotland said that if he had been in the job at the time then none of this would have happened.
After all of this was achieved then a new political structure was put in place that would have no need for the old guard of Republican Activists who although loyal to the Republican leadership were becoming more and more concerned about the decisions being taken regarding the state of play in Scotland.
Denis Donaldson was the key to this plan, it has been reported that when Denis went to America he set about destroying NORAID by getting rid of the men and women who would be considered as hard liners. The same thing has happened in Scotland and Denis would have been in the position to influence those Republicans charged with dealing with matters in Scotland. Look at the similarities between the two, a change in leadership resulting in a dilution of Republican Activists with a proven track record taking on roles that they were not suited for. The resoling effect in both cases was damaging splits between the old and new guards which has been greatly sharpened by the continuing misinformation campaign being directed at those who are completely innocent of the ridiculous accusation that have been spread.
.
I would implore the the republican community within Scotland to think about the way things have happened and to come to the same conclusions as those who have spent many years at the coal face, after many a discussion on this matter 99.9% of these Republicans are convinced this is what happened. The admission by Denis Donaldson came as a total shock and now questions must be answered or we could see the total destruction of Republicanism as we know it.
The parallels between the situation in America and Scotland are so stark that there can be no alternative that is in my opinion possible.
None of this is intented as a dig at either the West Of Scotland Band Alliance or Cairde Na hEireann who have both been the victim of British Dirty Tricks and who are in this prediciment because of the success of republicans in this country 5 years ago. Look at the differance between now and 2001. I hope that this in some ways can expalin the downfall of republicanism in Scotland and can encourage people to come together for the common good of republicanism. Please think long and hard about this before replying.
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Comments (13 of 13)
Jump To Comment: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13‘'It is widely believed in security and unionist political circles that Donaldson was sacrificed by his British handlers to protect a more important mole who is both a senior Sinn Féin and IRA figure’.
I could agree.
‘but the truth looks like it was a British military
intelligence operation which means that Steaknife/Stakeknife was the
name given to the actual operation rather than an individual informer..
I could agree.
I would also suggest that the South was being targeted also in the 70’s 80’s and would suggest that no less that two very senior government officials could also be agents.
There could also be quite a few medium ranking ones within several other political parties, including those who had their old splits etc.
There could also be a few more in the different Socialist and Republican 'micro' groups, including those who could have been 'transferred' across during recent splits.
The issue of ‘removals’, promotions, appointments and jobs etc could be backtracked in detail as a matter of interest.
The whole thing is hilarious. I can't stop laughing. The arch-nationalists of Sinn Fein, who constantly lecture everybody else on the subject of patriotism, are riddled with employees of the British intelligence agencies. No longer should they be called Sinn Fein/IRA but Sinn Fein/MI5. All the more reason not to let them into government. Their economic policies (e.g. doubling corporation tax) were probably devised by MI5 agents within Sinn Fein, with a view to discouraging American investment in Ireland and transferring it to Britain. No wonder Sinn Fein spent the past year trying to prevent Ireland developing its one indigenous gas field. The longer Corrib is delayed, the more we have to rely on imports from Britain. The MI5 man within Sinn Fein who devised that policy sure knew what he was doing.
The only difference from our party and the partisionist parties is you have to infiltrate our party ,Tiocfaidh ar La
an MI5 operative working in the USA?
Can we assume that the US Govt knew about this?
If the US Govt did NOT know, what are the American legal implications of all this?
The Irish reporters reading this right now might like ask their colleagues in DC to ask the State Dept about this one (ahem! Irish Times).
Did the US know or not - if yes... or, if no... - The answer could be quite revealing.
very revealing comment from Ogra there. lol So apart from members of your partys inner circle working for the brits, you're just like fianna fail? I'm glad you've finally admitted psf admitted it, and from the radical nappie wing non the less.
Provisionalism ala gerry is the british agenda in Ireland dressed up in celtic tops. another thing you could have said ogra is the only thing Republican about the provies is their Bobby Sands merchandise. $$$
As my granny used to say -
"Burn everything British but ..... their cheques"
i think maybe if you spoke to a few more people re:the cnhe/wosba debate then you will find that all it is a clash of personalities.the wosba had done hardly anything in the past four or five years for the republican movement in scotland.there was a time for change and those hierarchy in the wosba didnt want change,end of story.no-one at any time discredited them for the work they had done in the past but they were doing nothing at present.i think the author of this peice has just a little too much time on their hands if that is the best they can come up with.
just read back on my last post,and it looks as tho red clyeside posted it,im sorry,not very good with these pc's,i was using red clydeside to quote his post,but put it on the authors link.thats why it looks as tho it was him/her who posted it.sorry for any confusion.
The tragic thing about the divisions within the Provo Movement in Scotland, is that when you examine all the claims and counter claims, none of it has got to do with ideological differences. This despite the fact that the Provos have committed one of the greatest acts of treachery in Irish history.
It's all very well talking about organising in different areas, by having parades and branches of Cairde in the 'little Ireland's', however, what is the point of it all if the organisation you are supporting accepts British rule in Ireland and has abandoned every republican principle it once held dear.
I for one would prefer to support an unbought organisation like RSF, which although small in numbers, continues to follow the path of principle and pursues revolutionary republican objectives.
Only refering to agents, keera - we just dont respect them the same way finna fail does
as for Bobby sands the whole world knows finna fail and english conservetives let him die, and I Know many of there families have sold hunger striker Memorabilia for the cause of educating all including the partitionist Baby Blue shirt scamps.
finna fail dont have policy they have associated policy with there masters in the house of commons of which they pleged there allegience to in the earlier part of this century king and country, being untrustworthy slaves ever since, the fools the fools they have left our country divided Ireland unfree shall never have democratic policy's.
Re -assemble Dáil Eireannn now.
The people whh were removed from activity in the U.S. were a menace to Noraid in the U.S. and were giving the organization a bad reputation. Denis did not make the decision to remove them but was merely folling orders from the Army council in Ireland. This "hardlined republican" martin refers to was just a gangster using the name of the Republican movement to profit for himself and his friends.
It's amazing that these people are coming out of the woodwork now. Pathetic.
don't you get it???
the adams leaderships demands WERE/ARE the same thing as brit intell-mi5. wake up. they're the same thing. both wanted to destroy authentic revolutionary republicanism. the provos aren't republicans, ffs
AN ALTERNATIVE ENDING
The author of the above piece is obviously very aware of the mechanisms of PDF Scotland at the time in question, the analysis of the situation is correct in most aspects. I would however, like to elaborate on some points and also give an alternative ending that few Republicans in Scotland will be aware of.
The leadership of the organisation at that time, through skilled negotiations, brought many groups and individuals together that might not normally have seen eye-to-eye, to work for the greater good. This in the main was done by two individuals and one in particular whose advice and counselling the vast majority of Republicans in Scotland respected and still do to this day. I speak on this issue with some authority, as I was the Ireland representative at the time. The author is also correct in the assertion that this man was treated contemptuously, when promised another job, a job that never materialised. I know this for fact, as I was the man to offer him this job, only after I had been assured by people in higher authority that this would be a positive and progressive move. Little did I know then that he, I, PDF and all its supporters were about to be thrown to the wolves by unscrupulous ‘Republicans’ in Belfast to further their own, and Sinn Fein’s push for power via the peace process.
Scotland and Glasgow in particular were always vociferous of the opinions regarding the Republican Movement and what direction it was taking, should it be militaristic or otherwise and I always encouraged these views. At this stage, the PDF in Scotland and the merchandise organisation in Belfast were working off each other and were becoming two very well oiled machines, producing and distributing a lot of militaristic merchandise with both organisations getting bigger by the week. Back to the original story and Donaldson attending the Sheanachie function; that is correct, I brought him to it, as I brought many other S/F leaders to other functions, this on my part, was not for financial reasons, but as a show of respect for the PDF workers and supporters, in appreciation of all their hard work. In all the rest of my time in that position I can categorically state that Donaldson had not one iota of input into the PDF nor do I believe that he was in a position to influence others on its demise, this I believe, was in the hands of others . I can’t speak for anytime after I had left or if he had any more dealings with Scotland, but even if he did, keep in mind that the seed of destruction had already been sewn with the offer of the job that never materialised. I must mention here the person I call ‘The quote man.’
This is the person when questioned about the treatment of the man in charge of PDF quoted; If I Had have been doing that job (my job) this situation would never have happened”
The seed of destruction was sewn by this man and this man alone! Not only did he plant this seed in PDF Scotland but simultaneously planted one in the merchandise organisation in Belfast.
I can hear the questions being asked ‘Why would the R/M collapse two organisations that were so successful?’ and I will elaborate why I think that was done. As I said before, both these organisations had rapidly become two very well oiled machines, where PDF Scotland were putting 10,000 plus people on the streets in support of a hunger strike commemorations, that was more than S/F were putting on the streets in Belfast. The merchandise organisation in Belfast were supplying Republican groups throughout Ireland, Scotland, England, America and beyond with merchandise that was 90% militaristic. I believe that certain people within the R/M acknowledged the rapid growth of both these organisations, and within that acknowledgement also the realisation that they could both be potentially embarrassing to S/F.
The peace process, at this stage, was gathering momentum and S/F were also in the process of downgrading or even halting protests and commemorations etc. So, what was to be done about these two groups, who were putting thousands of people onto the streets and promoting potentially embarrassing merchandise? After all the twin-track approach of Armalite and ballot box had long since been abandoned. So, there are now these two organisations that had been both loyal and profitable. They couldn’t be told to just simply stop operating! They couldn’t be left to their own devices. Neither could it be afforded to allow both organisations to move en-mass to another grouping with all its expertise and experience.
With all the above in mind, the ‘quote’ man set about to bring both organisations down. And bring them down in such a way that there would be suspicion, confusion and a muddying of the waters. He done this in a very skilful way, so skilfully, that none of the mud would stick to him, he was left with all the leaders of both organisations on the side lines which left him free to set up another support group, one that dare not question the direction S/F were now leading the R/M and he put at the head of this organisation someone who had previously been banned from ever stepping foot in Ireland by the original leadership for continually undermining its work. Once again in Scotland, after some years of harmony and productive progress, there was now distrust, confusion and resentment. That being said, the workers and supporters of PDF have been loyal to Republican causes for many years, some all their adult lives and are wise enough to see through the smoke and mirrors.
I would like to round this off by saying that in my time working with PDF, I have never worked with a more dedicated and enthusiastic squad of people, and although I was detained every time I entered and left Scotland, I always looked forward to working with this diverse group of Republicans. Unfortunately several of these dedicated Republicans have since died, and although their families and friends may feel that their dedication to our cause has not been fully recognised, I can assure them that despite the treatment of, both workers and supporters of the PDF in years gone by, that their dedication was and still is recognised and appreciated by a great many true Republicans today.
I write this piece, not for as some may say, to have a go at S/F, but to clarify some of the events relating to this era. It is what the dedicated workers of the PDF of that time deserve. The original piece was brought to my attention very recently and I felt it only right to give back my knowledge of the events at that time. Finally, I would just like to finish with a personal thank you to all involved and for there support throughout the years and especially to the family that I stayed with. Without their unwavering hospitality and support we could not have achieved all that we did.
Go raibh mile maith agaibh.