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PRESS RELEASE The Irish Republican Socialist Party condemns the attack on the Patsy O’Hara memorial in Bishop Street which occurred we believe on Monday morning at or around 3.30am. IRSP spokesperson Martin McMonagle described the attack as pointless but sinister. “Presently we do not know who carried out the attack on the memorial and we would appeal for anyone who seen anyone in that area at that time to get in touch with the IRSP. “This attack was carried out by cowards under the cover of darkness. To attack a memorial to one of our hunger strikers is absolutely deplorable. Members of our party have already spoken to residents in Bishop Street and there is a very real feeling of anger at this attack on the memorial. “This is the second time that this area has come under similar attack. Last year the accompanying mural nearby was paint bombed. “Patsy O’Hara was and is held in the highest regard by the people of Bishop Street and the entire city and as such we would view this attack on the memorial as an attack on the entire republican community of Derry. Anyone with any information can contact the IRSP on 71353090 or derryirsp@gmail.com” Ends
Posted in: Statements | Comments Off “We, the O Hara and Devine families, would also wish to put on public record our full support for an independent Republican Inquiry, which was first called for by ex-Hunger Striker Gerard Hodgins, into the controversial claims surrounding the events of the 1981 Hunger Strike. At a recent meeting in the Gasyard, Derry City, which we attended, compelling and disturbing evidence revealing that an offer made by the British which conceded four of the five demands, was accepted by the prison IRA leadership and rejected by elements of the outside IRA leadership. These claims which have been supported by former blanket men and ex-hunger strikers have led us to conclude that only an independent Republican Inquiry, free from party political affiliations, can heal the wounds of our families that this controversy has re-opened. We are only interested in the facts, the evidence and the truth and we would hope that all republicans would support us in our call and bring and end to this controversy so that we, the families, have peace of mind as to what really happened during this period.” Tony O Hara, on behalf of the O Hara family Posted in: Information , Statements | Comments Off The IRSP wish to put on public record our support for an open independent republican inquiry into the truth behind the 1981 hunger strike as called for by the o Hara and Devine families and also by former IRA hunger striker Gerard Hodgkins. Given the contradictory statements emanating from various spokespeople from Sinn Fein on this matter and the refusal of these people to partake in the recent discussion held in the Gas yard center in Derry we are firmly of the opinion that such an inquiry is the only course of action open to the republican community. We have come to this conclusion because of the weight of evidence from wide ranging sources who were directly involved which clearly contradicts the Sinn Fein version of events and which furthermore suggests that the lives of the last six hunger strikers may have been saved. The forthcoming Sinn Fein closed meeting with the families of the ten hunger strikers is purely another attempt to mislead and confuse events surrounding the 1981 hunger strike Martin McMonagle Posted in: Information , Statements | Comments Off A chara, On behalf of the IRSP I would like to respond to Donncha MacNiallais’s letter ”Hunger strike story incredible” (Friday, 5th June) in which he questioned the motives of those who participated and contributed to the Gasyard debate. If Donnacha had have taken the time to attend the debate those motives would have been very clear but given that he didn’t, I will clear up any queries he may have in relation to the IRSP’s contribution. The IRSP got involved in this controversy on behalf of the relatives of the INLA hunger strikers who asked us in early 2006, just over a year after the controversial claims (of a settlement offer by the British Government] were made by Richard O’Rawe, to investigate the allegations made. At first the IRSP did not believe Richard’s claims and we told the families this after talking to senior IRSP/INLA personnel from 1981 who, just like you, Donnacha, were unaware of the ‘Mountain Climber’ initiative. That all changed in June 2006 when the IRSP were presented with compelling evidence that supported O’Rawe’s claims. Michael Og Devine has asked a number of questions of SF in relation to this controversy through this newspaper and others and has been met with silence. Both the Devine and O’ Hara families have asked the IRSP to represent them in their quest for the truth and we make no apologies for doing so. You are quite right when you say that all this has caused much pain to the families. So too have the untruths from SF which we find totally obnoxious. I hope this clears up your question on the motivation of the IRSP, chara. Willie Gallagher, Posted in: Information | Comments Off |
