The Final Surrender

by Frank - Republican Sinn Féin Mon Jan 16, 2006 19:17 saoirse at iol dot ie

Irish Republican Information Service

THE body styling itself 'Limerick Republican Information Service' is not connected with the Irish Republican Information Service (IRIS), 223 Parnell Street, Dublin 1, email saoirse@iol.ie and has not been
authorised either by IRIS or by the body that sponsors IRIS, Republican
Sinn Fein.
Therefore it is totally unauthorised and should be regarded as such.

by Des Long - lris Mon Jan 16, 2006 23:57 lris at eircom dot net

The following statement has been issued by Des Long, chairman of lris, limerick republican information service


The Limerick Republican Information Service is engaged in commenting on developments within Republicanism at a time of grave crisis for the traditional aspirations of the Republican Movement.

We have seen treachery, lies, falsehoods, spies and touts within our former comrades in the Provisional Movement. Our sole concern is to highlight the Republican viewpoint (see mission statement later in this communication) and present an
alternative political analysis to the failed Stormont Agreement. In short we fully support the position and policy of Republican Sinn Fein on the national question and agree that the root cause of conflict in Ireland is the British presence.

Since 1959 I have been secretary of the Sean Sabhat commemoration committee in Limerick – in recent years due to expansion and the fact that the 50th anniversary of his death will have to be marked in 2007 I have become chairman and a new secretary appointed. Our commemoration to Sean Sabhat was held on New Year’s Day in Limerick and a wreath on behalf of the Republican Movement was laid by Michael Lavelle of Fermanagh, a member of the Ard Comhairle of Republican Sinn Fein. The oration was by Tony McPhillips also of Fermanagh in the British Occupied Six Couunties. A full account of the event is available on the lris website – http:/leafs.utvinternet.com/lris.html.

This brings me to the central question posed by contributors to the Clann na nGael site in recent weeks – why RSF continues on a weekly basis to denigrate the work of lris.

The lris service was established because as local Republicans our statements were not being covered in political and general newspapers. Our first media release was issued when I chaired the annual Wolfe Tone commemoration in Bodenstown on Sunday12th June 2005. The following is what we issued:
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
lris Limerick Republican
Information Service
Media information
contact (061) 343314
EMBARGO: Not for publication before noon on Sunday12th June 2005
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
FOLLOW FRENCH PLEA
AT WOLFE TONE CEREMONY

A call on the Irish people to follow the lead of the French
and vote against the so called European Constitution because
it enslaves nations was made at the annual Wolfe Tone
commemoration on Sunday 12th June by the chairman,
Republican Des Long for County Clare

He said it was fitting that at a gathering to honour the father
of Irish Republicanism, the assistance given to Wolfe Tone
by the French nation should be recalled and acknowledged.

“Down the generations France has always come forward to
contribute to the quest for Irish Freedom,” said Mr. Long
from Shannon Banks in County Clare.

“The French people have now given a lead in rejecting this
so called new European Constitution and it would be a tribute
to their long standing support for Ireland if the Irish people
followed their example.

“This new Constitution is not about protecting the rights of the
Irish or French people – instead it is about the centralisation
of power and wealth. Instead of offering freedom, it shall
only enslave the small nations further as the EU strives
to become a global superpower.

“All of us who oppose the expansionism of the EU should
now take heart and follow the courageous example of France
and vote to reject the Constitution.”

Mr. Long then introduced the president of Republican Sinn Fein,
Ruairi O’Bradaigh who gave the oration.
(Ends)
Issued on Friday 10th June 2005
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
For confirmation contact 52 Shannon Banks, Corbally, Limerick
Des Long telephone: (061) 343314 or email lris@eircom.net
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

We received the following email from Republican Sinn Fein:
A chara
It has come to the attention of the Coiste Seasta of Republican Sinn Fein that you sent an email on June 10 to various people purporting to come from IRIS (with Limerick Republican Information Service added).

We have been asked to point out to you that the Irish Republican Information Service (IRIS) is issued by the Publicity Department of Republican Sinn Fein via either RSF News or saoirse@iol.ie. No other source is entitled to use the name IRIS.

Is mise


Ruairi Og O Bradaigh
PRO
Republican Sinn Fein

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++



After consultation we replied and outlined that RSF were mistaken in their belief
that we were trying to compete with them or indeed in any way encroach on their service. Our reply was as follows:
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ruairi Og O’Bradaigh
PRO
Republican Sinn Fein

A chara,

Thank you for your email of today (Wednesday 22nd June) in relation to IRIS
You state: “It has come to the attention of the Coiste Seasta of Republican Sinn Fein that you sent an email on June 10 to various people purporting to come from IRIS (with Limerick Republican Information Service added)”

There seems to be some confusion on your part. I did not send an email from IRIS –
I did send an email from lris Limerick Republican Information Service. I was asked to do so. I attach a copy for your information.

You will see that is has nothing to do with IRIS. Of course I appreciate that IRIS is issued by the Publicity Department of Republican Sinn Fein and no other source is entitled to use the name IRIS. No other source is: lris is Limerick Republican Information Service.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
We received no reply from RSF – but a week later the following appeared in Saoirse and in all statements from RSF in relation to lris:

NOTICE: The body styling itself Limerick Republican Information Service (lris) is not connected with the Irish Republican Information Service (IRIS), 223 Parnell Street, Dublin 1, email saoirse@iol.ie and has not been authorised either by IRIS or by the body that sponsors IRIS, Republican Sinn F in. Therefore it is totally unauthorised and should be regarded as such.

We again wrote to RSF pointing out that local and regional organisations could establish websites and information services but to date we have not had the courtesy of a reply –

I t now seems to us that some people within RSF made an initial error and to date have been unable to publicly admit their mistake – we are simply a local information service and have no interest or designs on IRIS or RSF.

That is the situation – these are the facts - below is our mission statement – we stand by the Republic!

Des Long chairman, lris, limerick republican information service – website http://www.iolfree.ie/~lris/


Mission statement attached






We feel that the Ireland of today fails to embrace the principles of the
founders of the Republican ethos that forged the national spirit of
resistance to foreign rule and inspired the struggle for Irish freedom.
Today with a move to a centralised power structure based on the idea of
Europe as a super global power, we feel it is opportune to focus on local,
regional and national issues within a Republican framework. The current state of the 26 County Administration where tribunals are
exposing the abuses of political and police power - and the present
political impasse in the Six Counties - all point to a failed system where
personal profit is placed before the interests of the people. No
reasonable person could defend such abuses - nor such a divisive
partitionist approach where two societies exist - those who enjoy wealth,
power and privelege - and those who struggle to survive daily in an
increasingly violent and uncaring society.
LRIS Limerick Republican Information Service will focus on the work of
those in the community who are to the fore in highlighting everyday issues
within a framework of the need for radical social change. They are working
with the local community in shaping new policies and putting into practical
expression the real Republican philosophy of all people being treated
equally regardless of social standing, religion, education or status.

by tom eile Tue Jan 17, 2006 15:31

I gather from these posts that there has been a split in either RSF ,the Continuity IRA or both . Would people from either side tell us what it is about ? The RSF split from the provisionals was on the clear-cut issue of abstentionism - what are the issues involved here?

by C Ó Brolcháin Tue Jan 17, 2006 17:56

It started as an attack on the Shinners, but look how quickly it just descended into a bitching contest between RSF and ex-RSFers.

by rooster Wed Jan 18, 2006 13:07

that the republican movement started applying the Good Friday principles and started holding up their side of the bargain.



Its called give and take!

by tom eile Thu Jan 19, 2006 13:38

I read on BBC online today about some of your soldiers being outsourced to work as security specialists in iraq. Do you know anything about this? It seems to me that this practice should be illegal .What do you think?
see: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4625376.stm

by rooster Fri Jan 20, 2006 05:13

they have left the forces, and if thats the case then they are civilians and are free to take any job that they are qualified for.

I think it would be hard to make the practice illegal without making the jobs themselves illegal as the government would be prosecuting themselves!

by tom eile Fri Jan 20, 2006 13:12

Rooster ,he was on his " final leave period" Doesn't that mean he was still in the RIR ? Maybe I should have said double-jobbing .
It looks to me like your army could be in the process of being privatized . I find that very disturbing -especially in the light of recent commitments made by your government on Afhganistan .

by rooster Fri Jan 20, 2006 23:47

After someone has completed their 22 years in the military they begin what is known as termination leave. This is set aside so an ex-service person can be re-trained, take part in educational courses or seek employment.

So, yes he was still in the RIR but that does'nt mean anything is being privatised.

Yes, the forces are over-stretched but then we have been for the past 10-15 years so its nothing new.

I'm touched that your so concerned about the over stretch but don't worry the MOD will continue to play with figures to try and do more with less. As other countries such as Ireland begin to assume their responsibilities around the World the stress on numbers will be reduced.