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It is a personal honor for me to be standing here today speaking at
the unveiling of this memorial. No words or fine speeches will do
justice to the memory of Red Micky. What I can say, with all honesty
and certainty, is that Micky was and is an inspiration to all those
who aspire towards an Ireland which is free from foreign interference
and free from both foreign and domestic exploitation of ordinary
working class people.
It is our duty and indeed an honour that we acknowledge and pay tribute to Red Micky's lifelong contribution to the ongoing struggle for justice, socialism, and freedom on this island. At the onset of the present phrase of struggle in the late '60s and early '70s Micky was, in common with all other republicans in this city, a member of the Official IRA. It was Micky's political beliefs and convictions that led him to join with others in the formation of the IRSP and the Irish National Liberation Army. His conscience would not allow him to follow any other path. Micky was a political activist and his heart lay with the working class, the people who have nothing but their dignity, he understood what it was to live from hand to mouth, day by day, under the repressive British regime, he also understood that nothing would change as long as our people live in a capitalist society whether or not that capitalist was under the control of British or Irish capitalist masters. That is why Micky fought. He was one of the few who would go that extra mile; he put himself on the line time and time again. Micky was a much loved and respected member of the movement and always conducted himself with dignity and humility. He was not someone who was filled with hatred or bitterness, but as a true revolutionary Micky was motivated by a love of his class and his country and above all by the love of this community. Micky's analysis was not that of narrow republicanism or nationalism but of the class analysis of Connolly and the marriage of the class struggle and the national liberation struggle. What flowed through the veins of people like Red Micky Doherty? The answer is simple, it was the love of his community, the love for his people and the working class people of Derry, both Catholic and Protestant. Even when suffering with ill health just a short time before he died, Micky never forgot his imprisoned comrades of the INLA. Indeed he made regular financial contributions towards the welfare of republican socialist prisoners and, as an ex-prisoner myself, I am eternally grateful to people like Micky, who despite all their own problems, continued to stand by us. In good times and in bad times Micky was a friend of the prisoners, people like Micky stood by us. We will never forget. I am proud to have followed people of the caliber of Micky. We in the movement today salute Micky and his contribution to the struggle and we shall always remember Micky with love and fondness. If we can continue today with the dignity and humility that Micky showed through every aspect of his life, we are indeed on the right path. Dignity and humility are noble traits and each of us would be the better if we had an ounce of what our friend Red Micky had. Did he make mistakes? Was he perfect? Of course not! He was human. Was the Irish Republican Socialist Party and the Irish National Liberation Army perfect? The simple answer is no! We do not hide from the mistakes of our past, we are dignified enough, humble enough, and disciplined enough to acknowledge this publicly. Let me make this clear, and I make no apology for saying it, the class based analysis of Red Micky was and is the only correct revolutionary way forward for the working class people of Ireland. Tomorrow marks the 33rd anniversary of the premeditated attack on the people of this city. Regardless of the outcome of the Saville Inquiry, the people of Derry know that Bloody Sunday was planned and sanctioned directly from 10 Downing Street. No amount of political spin, no amount of media manipulation, no amount of whispering campaigns can alter that indisputable fact. It is ironic today that since the murderous assault by the paratroopers on the people of Derry, the only person to be punished is a Derry republican who had no part in any incidents that day. Nothing has changed in over thirty years. Republicans will never get justice from any British administration in Ireland. We call for the immediate release of Martin "Ducksie" Doherty. This is the very same British establishment that Micky opposed and all republicans should oppose. I would just like to finish today by saluting once again Micky's contribution to the struggle for Irish freedom. Che Guevara once said: "Revolutionaries should be motivated by feelings of true love." This quotation sums up our friend and comrade, Red Micky Doherty. Rest in peace, Micky. STATEMENTS ENDS |