Guest writer Ciaran Mulholland, Independent Candidate for Black Mountain Ward, with a piece on political policing.






I decided several months ago after lengthy deliberations, discussions and meetings throughout the community that I would throw my hat into the ring and run in the forthcoming local government elections as an Independent Candidate, offering an alternative to the toxic and failed politics of established parties. Standing on a socialist republican ticket I felt that there was a serious need for urgent change and a political appetite was evolving that demanded an alternative.

The campaign has great momentum in West Belfast with a strong visible presence on the ground highlighting the flaws of the political parties and the social and economic deprivation of the Ward. I have been concentrating on the bread and butter issues, and displaying a credible drive to tackle the poverty and social changes our community are about to experience.

The fact that I am running as an Independent Candidate, affiliated to no political party, is a core reason why many socialists, republicans, community activists and others felt comfortable in supporting and assisting the campaign. Furthermore, given my open declaration that if successfully elected I will be solely answerable to my community, has facilitated many endorsements from the wider socialist republican family in Belfast, and beyond.

These determined and driven individuals are the backbone of the election campaign and come from all walks of life; the campaign as such, has provided a common platform for all who are genuine in seeking an alternative voice elected to bring positive change and honest representation to west Belfast.


Given the viable alternative being offered and the enthusiasm met on the doorsteps of the Black Mountain Ward, it is unfortunate, yet expected, that the scaremongers and smear campaigns have been instigated by the status quo that fear real and positive alternatives.




It is of grave concern that several members of my election team are now incarcerated, essentially, interned by remand. Others have had their homes raided recently by the PSNI and integral members of the election team have been arrested, including that of my election manager Ivor Bell.

These are serious issues and should be condemned by all, including the constitutional parties who have been elected on the back of human rights abuses. This is an attack on all our human rights and a threat to democracy. Let it be known to those who support the idea of political policing, that this will not deter the hard work or voice of the working class and the will of our people will only be strengthened by such actions. We are confident and determined to succeed.

If you strike at, imprison, or kill us, out of our prisons or graves we will still evoke a spirit that will thwart you, and perhaps, raise a force that will destroy you! We defy you! Do your worst! - James Connolly

Political Policing Preventing Democracy in Forthcoming Elections

Guest writer Ciaran Mulholland, Independent Candidate for Black Mountain Ward, with a piece on political policing.






I decided several months ago after lengthy deliberations, discussions and meetings throughout the community that I would throw my hat into the ring and run in the forthcoming local government elections as an Independent Candidate, offering an alternative to the toxic and failed politics of established parties. Standing on a socialist republican ticket I felt that there was a serious need for urgent change and a political appetite was evolving that demanded an alternative.

The campaign has great momentum in West Belfast with a strong visible presence on the ground highlighting the flaws of the political parties and the social and economic deprivation of the Ward. I have been concentrating on the bread and butter issues, and displaying a credible drive to tackle the poverty and social changes our community are about to experience.

The fact that I am running as an Independent Candidate, affiliated to no political party, is a core reason why many socialists, republicans, community activists and others felt comfortable in supporting and assisting the campaign. Furthermore, given my open declaration that if successfully elected I will be solely answerable to my community, has facilitated many endorsements from the wider socialist republican family in Belfast, and beyond.

These determined and driven individuals are the backbone of the election campaign and come from all walks of life; the campaign as such, has provided a common platform for all who are genuine in seeking an alternative voice elected to bring positive change and honest representation to west Belfast.


Given the viable alternative being offered and the enthusiasm met on the doorsteps of the Black Mountain Ward, it is unfortunate, yet expected, that the scaremongers and smear campaigns have been instigated by the status quo that fear real and positive alternatives.




It is of grave concern that several members of my election team are now incarcerated, essentially, interned by remand. Others have had their homes raided recently by the PSNI and integral members of the election team have been arrested, including that of my election manager Ivor Bell.

These are serious issues and should be condemned by all, including the constitutional parties who have been elected on the back of human rights abuses. This is an attack on all our human rights and a threat to democracy. Let it be known to those who support the idea of political policing, that this will not deter the hard work or voice of the working class and the will of our people will only be strengthened by such actions. We are confident and determined to succeed.

If you strike at, imprison, or kill us, out of our prisons or graves we will still evoke a spirit that will thwart you, and perhaps, raise a force that will destroy you! We defy you! Do your worst! - James Connolly

19 comments:

  1. Ciaran best of luck to you, political parties seem the antithesis of democratic reprensentation, so to stand as an independent is a noble and neccessary thing.Quite a significant choice of election manager too, that is the Ivor Bell isnt it?

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  2. Ádh mór oraibh Ciaran. Tá súil agam go mbeidh Ivor ar ais ar an bhfoireann go luath.

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  3. Ciaran-

    You in the Societies -Is Ivor-some independents you lads are-

    " My election manager Ivor Bell "-

    Good job I was sitting down when I read that in the Irish News today else I would have fell over laughing-

    Read any book where it's about Ivor-read the Papers this week and they all say that Ivor left/ was put out of the movement because he did not believe in Gerry Adams getting involved in politics-and he is now a election manager- lol- he knows in 2014 that Adams was right all along- his action on the election prove's this-

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  4. The reasons for Bells expulsion show him amongst the first in the leadership to have the foresight about the trajectory Adams was trying to take the republican movement(*).For that history will hold him in the highest regard, a slightly different judgement, in fact the exact opposite awaits Adams and the rest.


    (*)Though even he couldn't of foresaw Danny Morrison insulting republicans who opposed the former RUC on the NY parade.

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  5. MH,
    Once again your argument makes no sense to me. It is my understanding that Ivor Bell left because he felt that too much finances and resources were being directed to sinn fein instead of the army but that no longer applies because thanks to Adams and co we have no army therefore have to operate within the parameters that exist. The current situation dictates that people who believed in armed struggle now have no option than to oppose electorally those who betrayed the armed struggle for, well nothing.

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  6. Ciaran its clear that the Brits want Adamsite SF to have a clear run as they've invested so heavily in them.

    I wouldn't worry in regards to the smears. A party led by a paedophile protector can hardly smear anyone.

    I see the Cookstown Sizzler McIvor is talking balls again. My son had a read of his comment and he reckons that McIvor puts words in the wrong place and thats why his comments look as though they've been put in a mixer.

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  7. Ciaran You have my utmost respect for standing as an Independant, Its just a pity those affiliated to main stream republicanism don't have the gall to stand up and be counted, They say one thing as a so called friend and do the opposite when amongst his/her own parties, Who needs people like that?. As for Ivor, he stood his ground, Its the same old adage by SF and others, Don't speak about our chief, he is always right, Well its obvious that he is not.
    DaithiD's footnote says it all, You scratch my back i'l scratch yours, But what else would you expect from such a low life two faced cowboy. Good luck Ciaran.

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  8. Luke 4:24 : ""Truly I tell you," he continued, "no prophet is accepted in his hometown."

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  9. Ivor is now charged and up in Court in the morning-we will have to wait and see but it looks like the only evidence against him are the boston tapes and what two sisters told
    TV radio and newspapers about him-what price freedom-

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  10. mickey the riddler, i'd say ud be lol'ing and falling off your chair alright if ivor bell came canvassing at ur door. lol. ur crowd are going down mickey, grassroots exodus by 2016, thats what im hopin. dont know much about this lad ciaran but few clips on youtube are gud, gud luck to u man.

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  11. ah! old ivor like many of the 1969 provo leadership went awol after jail in 1962.maybe sometime the pensive quill could list those who kept the flame alive and those who went awol like ivor

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  12. Seems to be a closed shop now the political 'process'. Very spooky that Ivor Bell would be charged and Adams not even questioned. That came as a big surprise I must say.

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  13. Maybe if gerry gets a tug he have 1 of them letters in his pocket.thats about all h would carry.

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  14. Mickey,

    I can see why you are so proud considering it was the 32 county police that arrested him.
    Slobber all over it if the Brits hadn’t neutered the dogs of SF they would be barking at any republican being harassed, intimidated, arrested.

    You’re a pack of gutless British mouth pieces not an ounce of republicanism left in British Sinn Fein.

    Itsjustmacker,

    good to see your post I hope things are improving for you.

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  15. barrack wall man, maybe u shud, theres loads of space here.

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  16. i hope bell turns supergrass. thatd finish psf.

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  17. Grouch

    never thought of that one. He could use as his defence Martin McGuinness on the steps of Stormont and subsequent calls for people to inform from a number of SF sources.

    Boy that would be a show that could have many sequels lol

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  18. knew ud like that one larry a cara, but seriously, what the fu*k is goin on, its like the twilight zone, the whole 'process' now is beyond farce, im tryin to see the funny side of things but even the o'marxists are findin that difficult lately. is bell a prod, wheres wolfsbane gone when u need him, he's the man to get ivor out.

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  19. Quick religious conversion unlikely to swing it Grouch. It will have to be the Queens Evidence route. Satellite live TV and pay per view at a premium rate.

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