Irish Republican Socialist Committees of North America

Today we proudly remember, INLA volunteer and 1981 Hunger Striker Patsy O’Hara who died on this day 1981 after 61 days on Hunger Strike.

Patsy was OC of the IRSM prisoners inside Long Kesh before commencing his Hunger Strike on the 22nd March 1981.

Patsy like his 9 other brave comrades and those engaged in the prison struggle fought to end the criminalisation of Republican prisoners and the criminalisation of the political struggle by the Thatcher led London Government.

Criminalisation that continues to this day.

“After we are gone what will you
say you were doing? Will you say
you were with us in our struggle
or were you with the very system
that drove us to our deaths? -
Patsy O'Hara

On the 45th anniversary of his death, we remember Irish National Liberation Army Volunteer Matt McLarnon, who was shot and killed by a British Army sniper during unrest near his home in the Divis Flats area of the Lower Falls, West Belfast, on 12 May 1981. He was just 21 years old.

Matt joined the INLA in 1976 and was briefly imprisoned in 1979 after being charged with possession of two fi****ms and a gr***de, before later being acquitted.

During disturbances in the Divis Flats area after the death of his friend and Hunger Striker Francis Hughes, Matt was fatally wounded in action by shots fired from a British Army sniper position on Divis Tower. As he was being transported to hospital, the ambulance carrying him was stopped and delayed by British soldiers for several minutes, an action widely condemned at the time.

Following Requiem Mass at St Peter’s Church, six INLA Volunteers fired three volleys over his coffin in tribute to their fallen comrade. Large crowds gathered as his funeral procession made its way to Milltown Cemetery, where he was laid to rest.

45 years on, Matt McLarnon is remembered by many across Belfast and beyond.

The Irish Republican Socialist Party condemns the continued internment by remand and political persecution faced by Republican Prisoner Niall Sheerin, who has now suffered the devastating loss of his father while being denied the opportunity to spend precious final moments with him.

Despite serving the required portion of his sentence to qualify for release Niall remained imprisoned under a system of British legislation and political policing that continues to target Irish republicans. The decision to uphold his continued imprisonment robbed Niall and his family of invaluable time together during his father’s final days.

Sinn Féin and the other establishment parties who administer and uphold these British laws in Ireland must bear a lot of the responsibility. Their acceptance and implementation of repressive legislation against Irish republicans has allowed injustice such as this to continue unchecked, while political prisoners and their families suffer the consequences.

At this deeply difficult time the IRSP extends solidarity and sincere condolences to Niall Sheerin his family, friends and comrades as they mourn their loss.

Viva Venezuela. No to US imperialism

Today we honour and remember INLA Volunteer and IRSP member Michael Devine “Red Mickey”, who died on 20 August 1981 after 60 days on hunger strike in the H-Blocks of Long Kesh. We also remember all current politcal prisoners in Ireland
and worldwide especially in Palestine

“I refuse to change to suit the people who oppress, torture or imprison me, who wish to dehumanise me… I have the spirit of freedom which cannot be quenched by the most horrendous treatment. Of course, I can be murdered, but I remain what I am – a political prisoner of war.”

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14EQF2rJbMQ/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Solidarity to our comrades in Toronto, Canada from the Communist Workers Circle, who are facing draconian state oppression due to their support and activism for Palestine.

Palestine activists in the greater Toronto Area are facing over 100 charges for standing against genocide and Zionist war crimes.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16kFgd5Qcc/?mibextid=wwXIfr

IRSP STATEMENT - RELEASE SHEA REYNOLDS

The IRSP are calling on political representatives to demand the immediate release of Irish Republican prisoner Shea Reynolds, who is now entering his seventh year on remand in Maghaberry Gaol without a single conviction.

Shea has spent seven years imprisoned without trial, a clear case of internment by remand, a tactic long used by the British justice system in Ireland to silence political dissent under a legal façade. Despite charges being laid, neither the PSNI, the Public Prosecution Service, nor MI5 have brought the case to trial, nor do they appear to intend to.

We have to ask: why? Why no trial? Why continued denial of bail? And why the insistence on a Diplock Court — a non-jury system that strips away any pretence of a fair hearing?

We’re constantly told that policing and justice in the North are now transparent and accountable. Yet MI5 which maintains operational control over the PSNI through the St Andrews Agreement, answers to no one. It continues to wield unchecked power, imprisoning Irish men and women with impunity.

The silence from our elected representatives is deafening. Whether through cowardice or complicity, their failure to speak out makes them part of the problem, not the solution to ongoing British injustice in Ireland.

With St Patrick’s day fast approaching we want to take the time to wish all at home and our diaspora a Happy St Patrick’s day. St Patrick’s day should represent the best of what it is to be Irish sadly it’s also a time when politicians go against the will of the Irish people.

Whether it is Micheal Martin’s decision to visit Donald Trump who wants to ethnically cleanse Gaza or the tone deaf decision of the Toronto St Patrick’s day Parade to make a Zionist supporter the Grand Marshall.

The Irish people reject such actions and have and always will support a Free Palestine. To submit a complaint about the Parade either email [email protected] or call 4169968790