Republican Response to English queen

The following letter was printed in the Irish Times on Thursday 19th May 2011. For me it articulates the Republican position, it represents the voice of the unconquered few. Pádraig Pearse stated in a speech on Robert Emmet that "we are the voice of an idea which is older than any empire and will outlast every empire....". This veiw also resonates within the Bobby Sands poem, "Rhythm of Time". This idea that no matter what is thrown at people there remains "something inside" that cannot be defeated. Voices that are raised because they can do nothing else but cry out when faced with injustice. Voices that attempt to clarify and pro (fess) and test (ify) that not all of us have been purchased or intimidated.

A chara, – The invitation and visit of Elizabeth Windsor has been a grievous insult to the dead generations who have given their lives in pursuit of the 32-county Irish Republic. The Garden of Remembrance has been degraded by this political demonstration. The hurt and pain that this offensive monarchist parade has caused is immeasurable.

This whole distasteful political exercise is aimed at drawing a line under the continued occupation of the Six Counties. It is a direct attack on republicanism and everything which republicans have given their all for. The events this week are aimed at “normalising” relations between Britain and Ireland. The reality is that relations cannot be “normal” while Britain continues to occupy part of our country. The country was forcibly partitioned at the end of a gun by the British government of the time; today it maintains a 5,000- strong, armed garrison to maintain that situation along with an armed police force and the largest secret intelligence base outside London, anchored in Co Down.

James Connolly’s comment that “Britain has no right to be in Ireland, never had any right to be in Ireland and never will have any right to be in Ireland” remains relevant. The 1916 Proclamation which states that the right of the people of Ireland to the ownership of Ireland is sovereign and indefeasible is indisputable. The passage of time does not eradicate that right. Britain’s occupation of Ireland was wrong in 1798, it was wrong in 1916 and it is wrong today. This visit has been like a ghoulish victory march, as those behind it believe that they have now succeeded in solidifying British occupation of the Six Counties.

If all the opinion makers and those with influence are serious about achieving a lasting peace in Ireland and are sincere in wishing to develop normal relations with Britain, then they must work to end the continued British claim of jurisdiction over part of our country. Until Britain removes itself politically and militarily from all parts of Ireland then unfortunately conflict will exist. The only positive point that can be picked out from the debris of this disastrous visit by Ms Windsor is that these issues can be openly discussed in the public domain. – Is mise,

JIM McLAUGHLIN,

Baile Dhún na nGall