New Strategies Have to be Explored

"Q: What do you say to those people who are unhappy but are pulled the other way by feelings of loyalty?

A: Examine their consciences. Take a good look at what is going on. If they agree - ok. If not then speak out." - Fourthwrite interview with Brendan Hughes
Strabane republican, former political prisoner, and IRSP activist Eddie McGarrigle recently spoke to the Strabane Chronicle where he aired his views on a range of issues germane to republican activism in the North.

The paper approached Mr McGarrigle upon hearing that he had, along with others, intervened to prevent a threat against two local youths coming to fruition. The threat was purported to have been made by a local group that, for purposes of menace, tagged itself with a republican handle. Guest writing In TPQ he elaborates on those views and and provides a context for their articulation.

Speaking out: Firstly, a lot of people will not understand where I’m coming from. Some may not understand or some will choose not to understand but that’s life. I find it a bit uncomfortable being in the public eye. I could do without it all to be honest. My priorities these days are my family and children. I’d rather be making the dinner than feel the need to speak out on all these issues. It’s hard enough living and getting by from one week to the next.

Of course there are those that may question why I’m speaking out, criticise me, misunderstand me, whatever: I’ve a tough enough skin. To take the issue that concerned the Chronicle reporter, that of punishment attacks, the answer is simple: I am motivated solely because I believe that it is unacceptable for working class youths to be prey for anyone, republican or otherwise, who intend to execute them, maim them, or use them as political tools in the very dirty world we all live in. It is not acceptable. We don’t live in a perfect society but the project that exists in Strabane and which I discussed with the Chronicle offers an alternative.

This makes it all the more important that people like myself do speak out and at the very least use our experience of conflict and violence in a constructive manner.

People ask if it is dangerous to speak out. There are unstable people with guns threatening to kill people over petty disputes. When I see injustice I’m driven to speak. I have always been the same. Yes is the simple answer. These people are extremely volatile, put into the mix MI5. Examine that agency’s role in Irish affairs throughout the years, a role it continues in through its control of policing and justice. Of course it is dangerous to speak out when you consider just what lies behind the facade being vocally challenged.

A dangerous phenomenon masquerading as republicanism: Within republicanism, locally, we have a range of opinion with respected activists inside the ranks of a various bodies, including Sinn Fein, IRSP, RNU and the 1916 Societies. Despite obvious differences the common ground, generally speaking, is that they have the best interests of the local people at heart. But the ugly reality is that there are others with highly suspect motives who are dangerous and oppressive in their treatment of the community.

At its basic I have a reasonable understanding of the make-up of what I can only describe as highly questionable gangs of often intertwining membership who pose - with grandiose titles which change, often monthly - as republicans. Dangerous thugs with guns, some of which are no doubt under the direct control of the secret service agencies both North and South of the border.

Should I say nothing and leave young people without any hope to the mercy of these dysfunctional pseudo republicans threatening to execute two local youths? They function to no end, I thought, other than personal ego and bravado.

Punishment attacks: The first thing the Chronicle reporter suggested to me over a cup of coffee was that people will think I am a hypocrite for speaking out against kneecappings and that type of rough justice as it is often called. Been there bought the tee-shirt, it doesn’t work. If we all put the needs of the working class people first and foremost we can find common ground to engage in. Was it ever right? Different debate which is complex, but generally speaking, no. But, should I take a selective view or pick and choose about oppression, take a ‘well it doesn’t concern me attitude’? Well, I will stand up against oppression wherever I see it. To do otherwise is hypocritical and moral cowardice.

Caring rather than cruelty led Projects: Strabane Accessing Youth Engagement (AYE) Programme is an initiative that has to be supported. It a ray of hope to vulnerable working class young people. There are equally deserving projects all over the town with people of diverse political opinion who put party political interests outside the door for the common good. I’m pleased to see all shades of opinion involved locally.

Will these projects be the answer to everything? Probably not. They will not solve the world’s problems or answer the national issues, yet they are the very fabric of this community. After everything this society has been through and survived, the non-violent option they offer is the best option locally for resolving disputes within our community. Anyone with the interests of our young must take a stand and say no, that the murder of Andrew Burns by extremely dodgy characters was the line in the sand. New ways have to been found, they may not be perfect but an alternative has to be explored.

Basically I see these projects as the community taking control in the search to providing non-violent methods in the resolving of disputes within the working class community. How can anyone argue with that? Look at all the work being done from Fountain Street, the AYE programme, mediation with threat agencies. This is courageous and even visionary work being done here which deals with a multitude of problems directly impacting on working class young people. Make no bones about it these projects need to be given the recognition they deserve for their hard work.

The needs of the working class youth are paramount. Who else is doing anything to help them directly at grassroots level? Not many politicians, sadly, despite the rhetoric. The slush funds, 80 million pound, of the grandly titled first and deputy first ministers should be used on projects like these: and on many other good causes instead of gathering bank interest or carved out depending on their political agenda.

The AYE and similar projects will only succeed if the interests of the community are the common connection between all stakeholders and agreement reached that an alternative has to be found to killing, maiming and exiling our young people. There are many differing forms of oppression that need brought to an end including the manipulation of vulnerable youths by British secret services. Anyone under threat can now come to this project and they will be assisted.

Bobby Sands once said ‘our revenge will be the laughter of our children". We need to make this a reality beginning not only in a family environment but also on a community level.

Our children need this community intervention to work. Violence inflicted on our youths has to stop now and new avenues and opportunities supported and given a chance.

Fair play to those involved in AYE and other projects for having the courage to provide an alternative: no easy task in this society. Despite the obvious difficulties involved, these groups have offered to mediate between anyone under threat and those who pose that threat with one view – removing any threat to the potential victim. The process is confidential. It is way past time that we found an alternative to the failed methods used in the past, the working class young people of this town deserve better. Good luck in the future to everyone involved.

Alcoholism: I don’t intend to be often in the public view. So I will just take this opportunity to endorse and stand behind all the people involved in pushing the BUILD campaign to provide facilities to those unfortunate enough to suffer from alcoholism: a dry house or a wet house, regardless, either is a step in the right direction. There are few families who haven’t been touched by this and I view this project as a sort of acknowledgement or tribute to all those who suffered as a result of its effects. The car parks of all the local churches are packed to the brim with cars and yet we have vulnerable people locally with no one to turn to, people having to sleep on the streets in some cases. Something isn’t right. No one else can change this but the collective skills of the local working class community.

Critical engagement with cops at community level: This is a sensitive issue for republicans and one I have had serious difficulty in embracing, the debate around which needs to be widened. Let’s be clear on this: my views on critical engagement are my own views. I am not speaking on behalf of the IRSP on this. I am aware that this is a delicate subject but the RSM is mature enough and big enough: they have no thought police department.

The key area of concern I have is that sticking rigidly to a fixed strategic position gives us no room for manoeuvre and we end up excluding ourselves from representing the community. Hence, we will never make republicanism/socialism relevant to people’s lives. We are at the position of needing to build confidence in our politics and I believe critical engagement should be examined from a strategic point of view. It is such a difficult subject but one I believe that needs to be explored and debated. I don't think it’s an issue that needs public debate at the moment, solely because trust and engagement with each other is a vital building block that needs addressed first.

Somebody has to step up to the plate here and grasp this nettle. There are situations where republican socialists are working on the ground, dealing with issues affecting the working class, be it the elderly, the unemployed, the most vulnerable, those under threat from any sources. In this line of work republican socialists are searching for non-violent methods towards resolving disputes. It cannot be avoided that in some circumstances PSNI members will be present. They are classed as a statutory agency. That presence cannot become an obstacle put in the way of republican socialists compelling them to be self-excluded from representing the interests and well-being of the working class community.

Not for one second does it mean that they have changed their position on political policing or that they are in any shape or form endorsing the PSNI. The republican socialist community as a whole locally are also to the fore in highlighting political policing, internment and human rights abuses. They will not fall for fancy words or charm offensives by the PSNI. Critical engagement is a term used to describe this unavoidable obstacle. It has merit. It is a difficult subject for people like myself. One just has to look at even the recent report by CAJ which exposes the reality of the force within the force.

This is an issue which should be a cause of great concern to anyone seeking to build a peaceful future.

Whilst this report is no surprise to me the wider community needs to be aware of it. The politicians certainly won't promote its findings. During the policing debates the IRSP were to the fore in outlining this very scenario. Despite the reality of what policing is, republican socialists still need to represent the interests of the working class community. Belief and confidence in their politics is what is required.

Republican socialists locally are to the fore on many issues working within the community, making a positive impact on many, many people’s lives, dealing with issues that 'respectable' politicians pay lip service to whilst issues from youth intervention, suicide, unemployment and the raft of problems facing our community are in reality being ignored. No obstacle, policing or otherwise, should be allowed to stop this work being carried out by those who genuinely care about the community. It is too important and a method needs to be employed to circumnavigate imposed obstacles.

Violence and Armed struggle: All of this inevitably leads to the major strategic question confronting republicanism today as it seeks to move forward. The main perpetrators of violence throughout the world are the USA and the British, killing men women and children in the pursuit of oil.

It would ill behove me to preach to anyone. However, personally speaking, I can see no moral, tactical or strategic justification for the use of armed struggle under present conditions. I held the same position in 2004 when I called for republicans to engage in dialogue with each other and that armed struggle wasn't working. My position hasn't changed. It’s a complex subject.

The use of violence is not a black and white issue. Nowadays I see State violence, oppression and abuse of human rights every bit as bad as when I reacted to these and connected issues as a youth. I cannot preach to anyone. Most violence I see comes from the State: we see it every day. Look at the poverty levels. That to me is state institutionalised violence. I’m no goody two shoes pacifist who sees only the violence he chooses to. Who am I to say to anyone anywhere in the world suffering oppression that ‘violence is bad, just you lie there and take oppression and injustice lying down’?

Poverty is economic violence inflicted on our communities by the politicians and the elite within society. We see state violence every day of the week if we care to open our eyes, examine the erosion of civil liberties and the abuses of human rights directed at anyone who criticizes either the Stormont or Leinster House governments. The jails are full of victims of state violence.

Personal Reflection: On a personal level I believe that different experiences both on their own and collectively, combined along with reflection have influenced and guided me. It is a subject which I find it very difficult to explain. Also the effects on my wife and children caused by my times of imprisonment affected me, as did the death of my Mother whilst in prison. The hurt I caused those I love is something I am not proud of and a cross of mine to carry as best I can. We all make our own journeys and mine is no more important than anyone else’s. People suffered by far more than I did.

The deaths of friends have affected me and influenced me. Was any of the suffering worth it? A difficult and complex subject but when I look at Stormont, the political policing, beatings and strip searches continuing, no is the simple answer, absolutely not. To reiterate what I said in 2004:

Bernadette McAliskey, a close friend and comrade of Seamus (Costello), once said, “the war is over and the good guys lost”. And that sums it up for me.

Since those words were spoken we have spent a long time analysing and debating the way ahead. We have spent enough time being distracted by our anger, it is time to think with our heads and not with our hearts.

All anti-GFA republicans need to take a step back and engage with each other, those not on cease-fire need to call a cessation to their campaigns. Put simply it is not working, there is no support within the working class community for armed struggle. Within the North, British intelligence are playing republican volunteers like pawns in a Kitsonian game of chess. We need to consult the prisoners and we need a united voice, we the honourable republicans undefeated, and we need to engage with each other. It is for purely tactical reasons that I make this public call for cessation of military activity. Leadership needs to be shown, retain the dignity of the republican struggle.

New strategies have to be explored. Republicans were on the right side: oppression and occupation were and are the root causes of conflict in Ireland. Simple as that.

I long ago decided that for the deaths of these friends and comrades not to have been in vain I would always remain open to explore new methods of struggle and where possible of course discuss non-violence. It is difficult to be open enough to acknowledge the need to change methods or thinking. Violence has always been a last resort many would agree and people my age were born into a situation not of their making in which foreign soldiers were killing people in the streets of Strabane. It is as simple as that.

To conclude, my door is always open to anyone who agrees or disagrees with me. It is only through engaging in a process of dialogue that we may understand each other. Agreement can always be found by those with the best interests of the working class at heart. I have no time for negativity on the issues that affect the community.