Dublin ÓSF condemn desecration of Seán Russell Memorial

by Yeah, right Wed Aug 12, 2009 18:19

Nothing strange about two people with different perspectives agreeing that vandalising a statue of a republican leader is wrong. There always seems to be someone ready to try the old "Guilt By Association" trick here.

by G O Murchu Wed Aug 12, 2009 17:24

That Sean Whelan of the National Graves Association has aligned himself on this issue with John McDonagh of the National Irish Freedom Committee is unfortunate. McDonagh has a long history of supporting fascists and bigots, including Gerry McGeough. Ones's anti-fascist credentials are tarnished by associating with such bigots.

by Steve Tue Aug 11, 2009 18:59

A good example here of how the absurdly dogmatic notions of "nationality" and especially "patriotism" can fog people's thoughts. The IRA and the Nazis were obviously drastically different, but they had the odd parallel, as elitist groups based on violence always do. The mass murder of innocent people, firm belief in "nation", and extreme arrogant self-righteousness for a start. Don't get me wrong, the loyalist paramilitaries are on the same level as the republicans, but this is a much more complex issue than anyone in this thread seems to be paying any notice to.

I wonder if Sean Russell was aware of anything like Hitler's publicly-proclaimed plan to invade Ireland? Was he seeking a short-term alliance pursuing longer-term goals or was he just another fascist collaborator? You don't get high up in an illegal paramilitary organisation by being stupid; I know that Nazism was a quite new phenomenon but surely he could have seen what the Third Reich was potentially capable of? The other possibility brings us back around to the idea of "nation" - was he just willing to work with elements he disliked to gain Irish sovereignty? Tough one, that.

by Caobhin - AFA Mon Aug 03, 2009 18:22

This was likely the work of the Myers/Doherty/Harris brigade who portray everything militant left be it republican or anti-fascist as "fascist". Just like the fascist BNP in England refer to Unite against Rascism militants who disrupted their 2 scumbag MEPs press conference as "fascists". Such is the level of insidiousness and sneakiness of the west brit neo-liberal cabal in Ireland today. Let's hope the specimens carrying out these attacks get caught soon and get a proper historical education.

by paul o toole Sun Aug 02, 2009 11:22

Politics makes strange bedfellows, and no stranger than in Irish politics.
Russels connections were for a greater good and if you dont like his choices go across the water and take up residency in the UK. Either way, the legacy of hypocracy of opposition to British ongoing occupation in the North, and Irish complicity with the British in the South is a baffling notion.

In my view, all who sit in the Irish government are Facis. You would think that all is well with the world going by Dail debates, while we support the massacre of innocent people in the middle east. Our politicians actually profit from this massacre invested in Petrel Resources.
2.3 million dead in Iraq, 7 million homeless, and 500,000 orphans and not an iota of debate or opposition from the chatterers in our sacred Dail Eireann.

Shannon Airport is the poisonous rancid site of Irish complicity, and the Facists in Dail Eireann ignore it, just like the Nazis murdering Jews the Irish remain quiet, and the Catholic church supporting Nazi Facist savagery remain silent or complicit.
FAcism is alive and well in Ireland. Bertie Aherne, Michael Mc Doughall, Brian Cowen, Mary O'Rourke, ...id say all FF, and what was the PD's and now the greens (or yellows)....and lets not forget the 'independents' who shut up also.

by TomásOB Sat Aug 01, 2009 22:45

Well the BNP and the NF are linked (the same people just different name),

and The Blueshirts were fascist, one piece of evidence is that they fought with the Fascist Side in the spainsh civil war.

And Members of the IRA fought against Fascism in Spain so..... We know there not fascists

by Mike - Judean Popular Proples Front Sat Aug 01, 2009 22:29

By the same token

If the BNP is a fascist organisation then what is the “need” for the NF?

And It certainly wasnt a Blueshirt or a Shinner who paid a visit to the German Embassy in 1945 !

by TomásOB Sat Aug 01, 2009 11:30

Sean Russell was not a fascist either were the IRA.

are you trying to say Pader O'Donnell, Geogre Gilmore, Frank Ryan and Kit Conway were fascists?
The only Fascists in Ireland at that time were the Blue Shirts and the Orange Order.

If the IRA was a fascist organisation then what was the need for the BlueShirts?

by eamonn Fri Jul 31, 2009 19:17

The work of right wing pro brit bigots.

by pat c - AFA (pc) Fri Jul 31, 2009 11:17

This very likely the action of moronic pro British elements. I know of no active anti-fascist who would support the childish daubings on the russell statue. I very much doubt if those responsible would ever face up to real life fascist boneheads.

If you are looking for irish fascists then dont forget the 1930's when FG/Blueshirts organised a mussolini style march on dublin.

Heres some gems from FG TDs:

"Mr. Belton: I wish we had a Hitler here." Dail, 25/7/1935

"The Minister gave extracts from various laws on the Continent, but he carefully refrained from drawing attention to the fact that the Blackshirts were victorious in Italy and that the Hitler Shirts were victorious in Germany, as, assuredly, in spite of this Bill and in spite of the Public Safety Act, the Blueshirts will be victorious in the Irish Free State. "
John Costello 28/2/1934

Yes! The same John Costello who went on to be Taoiseach. He never withdrew or apologised for these remarks.

"Dr. O'Higgins: I should like it to be more intelligible. However, Mussolini, I think in the opinion of all is a very great man. He has fulfilled a number of functions and held a number of positions during his life" Dail 28/5/1935

"As an Irishman and as a Catholic—a humble one, I must say—I will oppose this Bill, because I will not agree to the application of sanctions against Italy, who is going out to civilise and to Christianise a pagan race. I sincerely hope that the Italian race, and Mussolini, the great leader of the Italian people, and defender of our faith in Italy, will be successful in this war." Mr Kent, Dail (supporting Mussolinis invasion of Ethiopia)

"Mr. Morrissey: A great many people in this country think Mussolini a most intelligent man, and probably a great many people think the same of Hitler." Dail 27/5/1937

"By our action here to-day we have curried no favour except the favour that will come from Communists, from Jews and Freemasons. We have alienated Christian Catholic support in this supposed Christian Catholic Chamber." Belton Dail 19 February, 1937 speaking on the Spanish Civil War (Non-Intervention) Bill, 1937

Ok then, who is going to enter the Dail, FG HQ and Dept of the Taoiseach to daub paint on the portraits of these fascist fellow travellers?

by gr8tr_good Fri Jul 31, 2009 09:33

Ignorant ignorant misinformed people. By the logic of these vandals they could equally well paint hammers and sickles on it.

Russell was merely trying to acquire arms to rid the country of a very unpleasant colonial force, which had been leading a campaign of ethnic cleansing against the Irish people for centuries. Russell was in no way right-winged, if anything he was left.

As for the the Independent it is quite obvious that they have an agenda - pro-British and bordering on anti-Irish. Granted that all Irish news-papers have leanings to one side or another, but every time I happen pick-up the Independent I am shocked and shocked even more that people actually buy.

by art Fri Jul 31, 2009 08:40

"art action"looks like the censorship of art (the original piece) to me