Provos - Patriots or Terrorists?
| Date: | 1974 |
|---|---|
| Organisation: | Sinn Féin |
| Author: | Seán Ó Riain |
| View: | View Document |
| Discuss: | Comments on this document |
| Subjects: |
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Commentary From The Cedar Lounge Revolution
11th February 2013
In some respects this document is not a left-wing publication, and yet it provides a refutation of the two nations theory from the point of view of Provisional Republicanism. The author (who is later credited, as was pointed out to me, in a second edition of the pamphlet published later in 1974, under the byline of ‘G. Ó Danachair.’) clearly worked closely with PSF in writing the book, indeed in the Introduction he writes;
The author would like to express his gratitude to Éamonn Mac Thomáis and Joe Clarke for their kind help.
The Introduction also is clear in terms of the strong identification it establishes with Provisional Republicanism.
As your read this, the climax of the struggle for an independent and sovereign Irish nation is being enacted in the North-Eastern part of our country. Despite the gallantry of the beleaguered people of the Six Counties, gallantry alone cannot defeat the military and propaganda might of the Britain and her allies in this country. Only the entire people of Ireland can achieve that. But the Irish people are not being told the truth about either the Northern situation or the I.R.A. Campaign. It is in order that the truth be known that this pamphlet has been written. It should be pointed out that all references to either the ‘Republican Movement’ or the ‘Irish Republican Army refer to the ‘Provisional Movement or the ‘Provisional’ I.R.A. - unless otherwise stated.
One notable omission is that of the concept of class. This is particularly evident in the first chapter which attempts to engage with the ‘Two-Nations’ theory.
There are certainly two traditions but no two nations. After 350 years there is no longer even a distinguishable dividing line between those of platner or native ancestry. There is no linguistic difference, or physically apparent racial difference. All share the same territory, the same history and the common name of ‘Irishman’. Their differences are based on religious conflict or to put it in its current terminology, they are only separated by sectarianism.
The rest of the pamphlet is broken up into various chapters, including ‘The Northern Situation’, ‘In Justification’, ‘the Terrorist Myth’, ‘Criticism and Refutation’ and ‘The Republican Alternative’. There are also appendices dealing with various topics including ‘Torture’, ‘Repression’, ‘Discrimination’ and ‘Éire Nua in Outline’.
In relation to the last, there’s an interesting analysis of how that document provides ‘an ideal solution’, one which ‘has to… offer… something to both sides’ on pp.39-40.
All told a very useful document that provides a considerable insight into both the thinking of the Provisional Movement during that period and how it sought to be represented to a broader audience.
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By: WorldbyStorm Mon, 11 Feb 2013 19:56:50
In reply to Séamas Ó Sionnaigh (An Sionnach Fionn).
That’s true, though they’ve waxed and waned over the years. What interests me about the above doc is the explicit sense that any agreement/deal would have to offer something to both sides. Now of course firstly PSF wasn’t in any position to negotiate then and secondly everybodies redlines were very different, but it’s an interesting straw in the wind as regards the future and an appreciation however vague that it might not work out exactly as the more overt rhetoric would indicate. By the way, I was always entertained that CCOB wound up with his federal Ireland where Ulster retained the RUC etc in the context of a UI deeply ironic. But, in a way that too points to the realities of the overall context.
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By: WorldbyStorm Mon, 11 Feb 2013 20:00:03
In reply to irishelectionliterature.
Appreciate the extra info FOD. I’d forgotten it was illegal. A copy of the original FS belonged to a close relative from more or less when it was printed and is on the schedule, though it might be interesting to know the legal position. That said FS is in the library of various institutions in the state including the NLI so presumably that’s not a huge problem.
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By: Florrie O'Donoghue Tue, 12 Feb 2013 14:15:19
In reply to irishelectionliterature.
Aye, it was in the NLI that I got my grubby hands on it though I’ve since seen a copy that was smuggled to the USA and proudly notes so on the inside.
I just had a look back at what terms under which the booklet (FS) was deemed illegal. From the court case of the printers (Irish Press, 12 December 1973) they were prosecuted with printing an ‘incriminating document within the meaning of the Offences of the State Act (1939)’. So I suppose that meaning could quietly be put the bed and the booklet considered a piece of history given time!
There are several cases of the booklet – as I said – being entered as evidence of IRA membership resulting in successful prosecution, but I was wrong in that the only such case involving this ‘Provos – Patriots or Terrorists?’ actually ended in acquital, with the defendant refusing to recognise the court.
Is mise srl.,
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By: WorldbyStorm Tue, 12 Feb 2013 17:54:21
In reply to irishelectionliterature.
I think that’s comforting news… sort of… 🙂
Though WordPress servers are US based.
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By: WorldbyStorm Tue, 12 Feb 2013 17:55:03
In reply to Branno’s ultra-left t-shirt.
+1 re aristocratic departures. Seemed good to me.
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By: Starkadder Tue, 12 Feb 2013 19:10:42
In reply to WorldbyStorm.
I find it interesting that it wasn’t until the late 19th century that
the Irish-language movement became strongly associated
with nationalism and republicanism- certainly Tone & co.
and Daniel O’Connell did most of their activity in English.
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By: WorldbyStorm Tue, 12 Feb 2013 20:46:24
In reply to Starkadder.
That’s a great point. Another thought is how much the Anglo-Irish influence was important in the Gaelic Revival. And this followed over into SF in its earliest incarnation.
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