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CA civil-rights conference report

Ken Keable reports on a special conference held in London in November to mark the 70th anniversary year of the Connolly Association's contribution to the fight for Irish unity and independence (Apologies for the late posting of this report which was due to technical difficulties experienced towards the end of last year)
2009-01-01 14:09:01

The 1918 election - setting the record straight

Donal Kennedy challenges the attempts by British commentators to undermine Sinn Fein's victory at the 1918 General Election and berates those Irish politicians, journalists and academics who have adopted such spurious arguments as their own
2008-12-11 18:56:37

McBride family express concern at British army march

The family of Peter McBride, the Belfast teenager murdered by Irish guardsmen Wright and Fisher, speaks out against British army parade due to take place in Belfast tomorrow
2008-11-01 23:46:27

Protests planned over controversial British army march

Fears that a controversial British army march through Belfast tomorrow will end in violent confrontation have not been dispelled by concilaitory gestures on behalf of mainstream republicanism and the MoD
2008-11-01 22:19:19

"Derry today is a different place" - McGuinness

Speech delivered by Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness on 4 October at an event in Derry marking the 40th anniversary Northern Ireland civil rights struggle
2008-11-01 17:17:51

MacAnespie family welcomes HET report

The family of Aidan McAnespie, who was shot and fatally wounded by a British soldier in 1988, recently issued the following statement through the independent Derry-based human rights centr the Pat Finucane Centre
2008-10-31 15:36:27

Protesters call for prisoner repatriation

Earlier this month, protesters gathered in Dublin’s O’Connell Street to put pressure on the Dublin and London governments to live up to their obligations to prisoners as laid down by the European Union. The protest was organised by éirígí, an Irish socialist republican party. We reproduce this report, which first appeared on éirígí's website, for information
2008-07-23 12:12:47

Civil Rights commemorative website launched

Veterans of the civil rights struggle in the six counties have launched a 40th anniversary commemorative website
2008-07-11 13:09:24

British urged to allow access to atrocity documents

Justice For the Forgotten, which represents victims and survivors of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings, today welcomed the all-party support in the Dáil for a motion urging the British government "to allow access by an independent, international judicial figure to all original documents held by the British government relating to the atrocities".
2008-07-10 16:05:32

Relative of collusion victim tours England

The issue of collusiom between loyalist paramilitaries and British state forces came to the fore during the recent visit to England, at the invitation of the Troops Out Movement, of collusion victim relative Robert McClenaghan. We reproduce here for information a report of Robert McClenaghan's supplied by TOM
2008-07-03 10:40:15

Strathaven Martyr remembered

Report of the 1820 Society annual commemoration in honourof the Scottish radical leader James Wilson, which took palce was held on 14 June in Strathaven, Scotland
2008-07-02 11:39:57

Bloomsday in Northampton

To celebrate Bloomsday (June 16) 2008, the Irish Community Arts Project presented their annual Bloomsday event at the graveside of Anna Lucia Joyce, daughter of James and Nora Joyce, at Kingsthorpe Cemetery in Northampton. Short report and pictures.
2008-07-01 14:06:56

Towards Irish unity

Speaking at the London Irish Centre in Camden, Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams gave a progress report on the Good Friday and St Andrews agreements and emphasised the need to mobilise support in Britain for Irish unity. We publish here an edited version of his speech.
2008-06-30 12:32:02

Paisley forced to bow out

David Granville comments on the recent announcemnet by DUP leader Ian Paisley that he is to stand down as party leader and Stormont first minister in May
2008-03-13 18:26:40

Civil rights commemoration planned

Work is underway to stage events throughout the six counties to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Northern Ireland's civil rights stuggle
2008-03-11 14:44:50

Still fighting for truth on collusion

Theo Russell reports on the recent Bloody Sunday commemoration event in London
2008-02-04 13:10:05

News 2008

News and comment from the Irish Democrat 2008
2008-01-21 13:00:56

More support needed for Irish in Britain

A report published by a committee of the Irish-Britisn Inter-Parliamentary Body highlights the need for greater support for Irish community living in Britain
2007-11-27 14:06:50

Giuliani angers Irish-America

US Republican Party presidential hopeful Rudi Giuliani's recent acceptance of the Margaret Thatcher 'Medal of Honour' has not gone down well with Irish-Americans
2007-11-15 11:17:11

New light shed on IRA's Border Campaign

Irish historian Ruan O'Donnell to shed new light on the IRA's Border Campaign at a meeting in London on 14 November organised by the Four Provinces Bookshop
2007-11-13 13:30:08

Signs of re-alignment in the unionist camp

David Granville suggests that the honeymoon in the north could soon be over as tensions and divisions mount within the unionist/loyalist camp and the need for decisions in key policy areas approaches
2007-10-05 13:47:03

Call for Aegis' expulsion from Iraq

David Granville looks at how the mother of murdered Belfast teenager Peter McBride has top mercenary Tim Spicer in her sights
2007-10-05 13:21:07

Re-assessing the 50s Border Campaign

John Murphy praises a fresh look at the IRA's border campaign of the late 1950s
2007-10-05 12:51:13

House Resolution 740

In May 2006, the US Congress passed a resolution condemning the 2005 Enquiries Act, a rare example of the US Congress formally criticising a British act of parliament. The full text of that resolution is reproduced here for reference purposes
2007-07-31 12:04:35

Debating the peace process

Theo Russell reports on a recent cross-party meeting on the Irish peace process hosted by the Islinton North branch of the Labour Party
2007-07-25 14:25:36

Stepping stone to unity

Far from being the 'final settlement' suggested by British ministers, the restoration of the Good Friday institutions represents a further move towards British withdrawal and the reunification of Ireland, and presents new challenges and opportunities for the left in Britain, argues Ken Keable
2007-07-21 13:29:51

Over there comes over here

David Granville looks at some recent examples of how the British presence in Ireland continues to have consequences for democracy in Britain
2007-06-04 10:13:52

Equality fault-line opens

David Granvillle argues that measures designed to tackle inequality are already proving to be a source of division between unionists and nationalists at Stormont
2007-06-04 09:54:54

The 'teflon' taoiseach does it again

David Granville provides some initial thoughts on the 2007 twenty-six county General Election results
2007-05-28 18:13:12

Irish women trade union pioneers

To mark International Women’s Day (March 8) in 2007, the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) and SIPTU, have produced a pack of postcards depicting some of the women ‘pioneers’ of the labour and trade union movement.
2007-05-17 16:36:48

Loughall: 20 years on

Photographer Louise Jefferson recently attended events marking the 20th anniversary of the Loughall massacre and here provides a moving personal account of her visit
2007-05-17 13:26:46

Unity: closer than anyone thinks

Connolly Association president Moya St Leger argues that Irish citizens remain unprepared for unity
2007-05-17 10:11:05

The dawning of a new era?

Writing a few days before the re-establishment of the Stormont assembly, David Granville looks towards the resumption of the Good Friday process
2007-05-17 09:58:14

US labour organisations back Connolly film

Two US labour groups, the Irish-American Labor Coalition (IALC) and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, have announced that they are each to make a $10,000 investment in the forthcoming film about the life of James Connolly
2007-03-27 17:25:26

Flanagan must go - for all our sakes

David Granville argues that the presence of Ronnie Flanagan as head of Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Police in England and Wales is another example of how the legacy of the British state's counter-insurgency activities in Ireland continues to cast a murky shadow over everyone in Britain
2007-03-13 10:22:18

Hain rules out deadline extension

British secretary of state Peter Hain warns rules out any extension of the 25 deadline on establishing a power-sharing executive (IAIS agency report)
2007-02-16 12:22:39

Another step on the road back to civil rights approach

David Granville argues that the British government needs to come to the aid of unionists by persuading them that their best interests lie in an accomodation with nationalists on the basis of the Good Friday and St Andrews agreements - and ultimately within a united Ireland
2007-02-15 18:59:18

When is a deadline not a deadline?

Originally published in December 2006, David Granville argues that the countdown towards Blair's departure from Number 10 well underway, the British prime minister remains keen to ensure that failure in Ireland is not added to a legacy which is already set to be dominated by the catastophy resulting from the invasion and occupation of Iraq
2007-01-30 14:50:05

Hain and NIO officials accused over appointment

Direct rule minister Petet Hain and NIO officials came under fire in December after a High Court judge ruled that the appointment of Bertha McDougall as Interm Victim Commissioner had been motivated by "improper political purpose"
2007-01-30 13:52:16

Local government - reform or embryonic repartition?

Although posing a danger of further entrenching sectarian divisions, local government reforms give Sinn Féin an opportunity to demonstrate a better model of governance in Ireland, writes Tommy McKearney
2007-01-30 13:33:22

Collusion - a conspiracy of silence

The British media's coverage and treatment of events in the north treatment reveal where their press priorities lie, writes Mick Hall
2007-01-30 11:34:09

The battle for rights

Progressives are taking an inclusive approach towards drafting an enforceable Bill of Rights in the North. But their focus on giving the legislation a robust social and economic dimension has irked reactionary unionism and alarmed the NIO, writes Deasúin Ó Donghaile
2007-01-30 08:00:10

Fresh investigation into Fullerton murder

Police ombudsman Nuala O'Loan is investigating part of the circumstances surrounding the 1991 murder of Co Donegal Sinn Fein councillor Eddie Fullerton. In a separate case, the families of six men murdered by the Ulster Volunteer Force recently lobbied Westminster MPs to press for an investigation into the claims
2007-01-29 23:02:19

New MI5 base to monitor both sides of Irish Sea

A new MI5 intelligence-gathering base in Belfast destroys the new beginning envisaged in the Good Friday Agreement, writes Fr Joe McVeigh
2007-01-29 20:52:29

Peaceful Road to a united Ireland

Sinn Féin's 'civil rights' strategy is the only way forward for republicans and should be complimented by increased lobbying of MPs in Britain, argues John Murphy
2007-01-29 18:32:22

Republicans need to retain critical perspective on policing

Sinn Féin acknowledges that the PSNI as a policing agency will not weaken republicanism, so long as its agenda for change is not compromised, writes Féilim Ó hAdhmaill
2007-01-29 18:00:50

Sutton Hoo!

Christy Evans reports on Seachtain na Gaeilge – the global celebration of the Irish language (Irish language article)
2007-01-29 15:35:11

Advance Irish Unity: subscribe or donate now!

The Irish Democart needs to boost its financial resources and circulation if it is to sustain and develop its role in campaigning for a united and independent Ireland and continue to expose the nefarious nature of Britain's involvement
2007-01-25 16:52:27

The Connolly Association was there at the start

John Murphy reminds us that the Connolly Association and the late Desmond Greaves were the first to come up with the idea of a civil rights campaign to undermine reactionary unionism - and that power sharing offers republicans the opportunity to develop creative ways of persuading key sections of unionism that a unitary state is in their best interests
2007-01-25 10:55:02

*Is equality at risk from the St Andrew's deal?

Deasun O Donghaile examines the likely implications for equality in the north of the St Andrew's deal
2007-01-25 10:11:55

*Policing issue will not be last big hurdle to power sharing

Tommy McKearney argues that better options than accepting PSNI policing in its present form exist for republicans
2007-01-25 09:47:57

News 2007

News and comment from the Irish Democrat 2007
2007-01-25 09:38:06

Collusion evidence: trickle becomes a flood

David Granville bemoans the lack of response in Britain to growing evidence of collusion between the state and its agents in acts of violence and murder on both sides of the Irish border
2006-12-30 12:48:33

Getting away with murder

English campaigner Ken Keable argues that mainstream media complicity in British colonial rule has played a significant role in the British public's indifference to news about Northern Ireland and continues to allow the British state to get away with murder
2006-12-30 10:23:42

A step on the road to unity

David Granville asks opponents of the Good Friday and St Andrews agreements to end their fixation on 'texts' and concentrate on the 'process'
2006-12-29 10:12:15

Honorary doctorate for ID columnist

Irish Democrat columnist, historian and novelist Peter Berresford Ellis, is awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Literature by the University of East London
2006-12-27 15:03:07

Keeping us in the dark?

David Granville asks whether the trend to 'editionalise' newspapers is being used to keep the British public ignorant of successive governments' responsibility for criminal and anti-democratic acts conducted by state military forces and security agencies throughout the conflict in Ireland
2006-09-29 09:57:29

DUP dismisses November deadline

Paul Donovan reports on an important fringe meeting on the future of the Irish peace process meeting held during the recent British Trades Union Congress
2006-09-21 06:09:30

Garvaghy Road residents renews support call

The Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition is appealing for support, national and international, following the decision of the Parades Commission to allow the Orange Order to march through the nationalist area of Portadown on 23 September in opposition to the wishes of the local community
2006-09-16 09:38:29

Bigotry must be marginalised

As the people of the North of Ireland enter into this summer's matching season, sectarianism will remain a dangerously live issue. The British government and its agencies must be forced to acknowledge the problem fully and challenge it head on, instead of giving it political cover, argues the Irish Democrat
2006-07-05 18:57:53

Thar Slaibh agus Gleann!

Christie Evans reports from the fifth International Festival of the Irish Language, which recently took place in the Isle of Man (Irish language article)
2006-07-05 18:42:39

Socialists and republicans pay tribute to 'Red O'Riordan'

Tributes for a fighter who 'personified the best' pour in following the death of veteran communist Michael O'Riordan
2006-07-05 15:24:21

Finucane killer released

The killer of Belfast defence lawyer Pat Finucane has been released from prison under the terms of the Good Friday agreement and is understood to have been moved to a secret location in Britain and given a generous relocation package
2006-07-04 17:05:04

'Inquiry is the issue' insist Finucane family

The family of murdered defense solicitor Pat Finucane insists that the early release of his killer should not be overestimated and that the real focus must be to establish a fully independent, public judicial inquiry
2006-07-04 16:52:14

Stormont's structural flaws

Tommy McKearney argues that London's de facto power makes the Stormont Assembly little more than a glorified county council
2006-07-04 15:47:44

Assembly's future remains in doubt

The future of the Stormont assembly remains uncertain after Ian Paisley rejected a nomination by Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams to become the first minister of ‘Northern Ireland’
2006-07-04 15:43:05

Facing up to the challenge in Britain

The general secretary of Connolly Association gives his assessment of the organisation’s current position and the tasks that lie ahead for activists in Britain
2006-07-04 13:11:45

Left Republican magazine relaunched

Left Republican Review, which aims to bring together left, republican, feminist and green voices from across Ireland, was relaunched recently
2006-07-04 12:10:49

Unions discuss coalition pact

Two of Ireland’s biggest trade unions are to discuss a joint effort to help the election of a left-wing Irish coalition government
2006-07-04 11:00:40

McIlkenny 'now free'

Mourners at the funeral of one of the Birmingham Six, Richard McIlkenny, were told that he has finally found freedom
2006-07-04 10:48:26

SIPTU honours Connolly

A major new film on James Connolly is to receive significant financial backing from SIPTU, Ireland's the country’s largest trade union
2006-05-26 11:10:04

Lessons of history

The Irish Democrat warns that while the current situation offers real opportunities for pursuing a radical programme towards Irish unity, recent events remind us that the forces of Irish national democracy must learn the lessons of the past if political opportunites are to be achieved in the future
2006-05-26 09:40:45

Connolly's life celebrated in London and Edinburgh

David Granville reports on commemorative events in London and Edinburgh organised jointly by the Connolly Association and the Communist Party of Britain
2006-05-25 18:35:46

A letter to historians

Jack Lane of the Aubane Historical Society challenges revisionist historian Peter Hart on his interpretation of the Irish War of Independence and raises serious questions raised about the historian's methods
2006-05-18 08:50:33

BBC's 1916 coverage challenged

Ken Keable writes to the BBC to protest about its coverage of the evcents of Easter 1916 on Radio 4 - we reproduce his letter in the Irish Democrat for information
2006-05-18 07:30:45

2006 Gralton School maintains progressive tradition

This year's annual Gralton School focusses on the legacy of the 1916 Proclamation and honours the memory of Leitrim radical Jim Gralton, the only Irish-born citizen to have been deported from Ireland
2006-04-20 09:02:22

Summer-school honour for Democrat columnist

The Sister Fidelma Mysteries of historian and Irish Democrat columnist Peter Berresford Ellis, who writes the books using the pseudonym Peter Tremayne,are to be the subject of a unique Irish summer school
2006-04-18 21:23:33

Donaldson family statement

Statement issued on 7 April by the family of Denis Donaldson who was found murdered at his cottage in a remote area of Donegal on Tuesday 4 April
2006-04-07 22:32:40

British agent shot dead

The Irish Democrat reports on the killing of British agent Denis Donaldson
2006-04-07 15:04:21

Time for a united approach to solidarity work

Following Gerry Adams' recent call for a solidarity movement in Britain to help end partition, John Murphy looks at what need to be done to bring this about
2006-04-07 13:58:00

Campaign to repatriate Irish prisoner

A prisoner support group is calling on the Irish government to speed up the repatriation of a seriously ill Irish prisoner serving a sentence in Yorkshire
2006-04-07 13:50:50

Call to 'decommission' licensed weapons

Legally held unionist weaponry remains an obstacle to peace and political progress in Ireland, argues Moya St Leger
2006-04-07 12:48:05

'Love Ulster' march ends in violence and attempt to smear IWU

Accounts of the rioting in Dublin which accompanied the provocative Love Ulster march and an attempt by the Sunday Times newspaper to implicate the Cork-based IWU in the mayhem
2006-04-07 11:17:49

'Rendition flights' escape investigation

It has emerged that Gardaí officers who wish to investigate allegations of US illegality on military and state aircraft may not be able to do so because of the way the government is applying domestic Irish law
2006-04-06 19:26:08

Museum gains Proclamation original

The Irish and British public will be able to view an original 1916 Proclamation of the Irish Republic this year after it was donated to the National Museum of Ireland
2006-04-06 19:02:46

An appalling vista

David Granville speculates on what lies behind British ministers' insistence on holding an inquiry into the murder of Belfast solicitor Patrick Finiucane under the terms of the controversial 2005 Inquiries Act
2006-04-06 18:01:56

Gaeilgeóirí travels to Mulvern Hills

Christy Evans reports on the revival of the Irish language in Britain
2006-04-06 17:29:48

St Pat's gets anti-racist theme tune

A campaign to ensure that the 2006 St Patrick's Day celebrations in Britain include a clear anti-racist message gathers pace with the release of Everybody's Welcome to the Hooley by north London psycho-ceilidh rockers, Neck, on 6 March
2006-03-09 21:28:04

IMC report dovetails with anti-SF agenda

The Irish Democrat comments on the recnt IMC report
2006-02-14 18:36:07

Inertia Managing Commission

Michael Hall reports on republican anger at the recent IMC report and argues that its unsubstantiated suggestion that the IRA has lied about its arms disposal is set to prolong the political stalemate and direct rule from London
2006-02-14 18:33:22

News 2006

News articles from the Irish Democrat 2006
2006-02-14 18:06:33

Bree warns against undermining Labour philosphy

Elements OF the Irish Labour Party are actively undermining its philosophy to keep establishment parties in power, Labour Party stalwart Declan Bree warned recently
2006-02-14 17:11:06

Plan to help homeless in Britain

News of a unique initiative to help homeless Irish people living in cities across Britain is being spearheaded by Mayor of Kerry County Council Toireasa Ní Fhearaíosa
2006-02-14 16:35:48

Has the Good Friday agreement a future?

David Granville assesses whether the unionist establishment will be allowed to sink the 1998 Belfast peace accord
2006-02-14 14:13:02

Trade unions must become a force for change

Michael Hall casts a critical eye over the settlement to the recent Irish Ferries dispute and takes a look at current talks towards a new Social Partnership deal in Ireland
2006-02-14 11:50:37

An open letter to Tony Blair

Irish-American groups call for an open and transparent inquiry into the role of the British intelligence services in the collapse of the power-sharing Stormont assembly and for the immediate reinstatement of the Good Friday institutions
2005-12-31 17:18:32

Time to cut links with 'malign puppet'

The Irish Democrat argues that it's time for British ministers to face up to the counter-insurgency beast created by their predecessors
2005-11-29 12:18:05

IRA statement welcomed

The Irish Democrat comments on the recent IRA statement announcing the end of its armed struggle
2005-08-22 12:23:21

Dialogue central to marching problems

Over 80 PSNI officers and seven civilians were injured when the Orange Order marched through nationalist north Belfast on July 12. David Kennedy, an eye–witness to events, writes dialogue remains the key to progress
2005-08-22 12:12:08