Veteran republican leader Ruairí Ó Brádaigh used the occasion of his Presidential address delivered to the 103ú Ard Fheis of Republican Sinn Féin last weekend (November 11th) to attack revisionist assaults from within Ireland on the republican ideal and also selective rewriting of recent historical events by the British government.
He also used, what was in terms of topics, a wide ranging speech to comment on current social and environmental policies being pursued by the Dublin government.
Commenting on the latest potential for an assault on civil liberties by the Dublin administration he echoed concerns already voiced by Rights groups in Ireland:
"On May 9 last yet another Justice Bill was signed into law in the 26 Counties, marking a further erosion of civil rights there. Although alleged to be part of the “war on drugs”, such legislation is being used to stop and search our members in the street and to threaten more seizures of our funds.
We note the opposition of the Irish Council for Civil Liberties and the view of the Irish Human Rights Commission that the new legislation presents “a danger of injustice”.
Meanwhile in a reference to potentially positive developments in the other Celtic countries he contrasted these with Republican Sinn Fein's view on recent developments vis a vis the six counties - saying:
"The Irish people who led the way to national independence in the 20th century are now - in the 21st - at the back of the queue. What a change!"
The full text of his speech can be accessed at:
J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League
14/11/07
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