micheailin o'cinnsealach (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} fenian32) wrote,@ 2008-11-15 04:07:00 |
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Irish Republican Information Service (no. 171)
Teach Dáithí Ó Conaill, 223 Parnell Street, Dublin 1, Ireland
Phone: +353-1-872 9747; FAX: +353-1-872 9757;
e-mail: saoirse@iol.ie
Date: 14 Samhain / November 2008
Internet resources maintained by SAOIRSE-Irish Freedom
http://saoirse.info
In this issue:
1. Republican Sinn Féin Ard-Fheis held in Dublin
2. RSF protest in Lurgan at British Policing Board meeting
3. Provo defence of Free State army condemned
4. Apology over £5m for loyalist-link firm
5. SDLP Mayor holds reception in Derry for British troops
6. McGuinness sends condolences to Hermon family
7. Be ‘ready for battle’ – UDA/UFF
8. Security stepped up at GAA clubs
1. REPUBLICAN SINN FÉIN ARD-FHEIS HELD IN DUBLIN
THE 104th Sinn Féin Ard-Fheis was held in Dublin on the weekend of November 8 and 9. There was a large and enthusiastic attendance which included visitors from Austria, Germany and Corsica.
Political policy was debated on Saturday and resolutions “reasserting our determination as defined in ÉIRE NUA and SAOL NUA to establish a Worker’s Democracy in Ireland, free of foreign control” (Ard Chomhairle and Comhairle Laighean) and calling for a “total British disengagement from Ireland, the release of allpolitical prisoners and the future of Ireland to be decided by the people of Ireland acting as a unit – 32 Counties” (Joe Conway Cumann, Newry) were passed unanimously.
A motion from Kerry Comhairle Ceantair and the John Mitchell Cumann, Co Derry reaffirming our support for and recognising “the authority of the All-Ireland Republic proclaimed in 1916, established in 1919, defended in arms 1919-21, sold out by traitors in 1921-22 and suppressed brutally to this day” as well as condemning the ongoing British occupation of our country was also passed unanimously as were motions “commending the Continuity leadership of the Republican Movement and the Ard Chomhairle and Officer Board of Sinn Féin Poblachtach past and present for their principled leadership in defence of the All-Ireland Republic, especially since 1986 (from Cumann Séamus Ó Dálaigh and the Seán Costello/Martin Hurson, both Co Westmeath and the Bobby Sands/Liam Lynch Cumann, Co Kilkenny, also supported by the Frank Driver Cumann, North Kildare).
Motions calling for a British withdrawal from Ireland and pledging unremitting hostility against the British forces of occupation in Ireland and calling for British withdrawal were passed. A motion asking the Ard-Fheis to “reaffirm its belief that only unity based on the principles of the 1916 Proclamation can build a cohesive and coherent Republican Movement capable of ending British rule in Ireland” (Kilcullen Cumann, Co Kildare) was passed and a motion reiterating our opposition to political broad fronts from Kerry Comhairle Ceantair received overwhelming support.
The Ard-Fheis pledged to actively challenge the Provisionals to drop “the historic name Sinn Féin” and called on the media to stop calling the Provos by that name (Joe Conway Cumann, Newry and the Rafter/Mellows Cumann, Enniscorthy).
Motions rejecting the RUC/PSNI and those who collaborate with them in the District Policing Partnerships were passed as were resolutions condemning the harassment of Republicans, north and south of Britain’s Border. Delegates were strongly opposed to the open recruiting by the British Crown Forces throughout Ireland and to the flying of the Butcher’s Apron (the Union Flag) and called for a greater effort to remove all symbols of former British occupation in the 26 Counties.
The Ard-Fheis unanimously supported a motion calling on all areas to prepare for active involvement in the 2009 26-County local elections, “making an all-out effort” but rejected a motion calling on RSF not to participate in Stormont elections as long as our name did not appear on the ballot paper. It was pointed out that this would tie the Ard Chomhairle’s hands as it might be thought advisable in the future to participate on an abstentionist basis.
The Ard-Fheis also vowed to oppose any rerunning of the Lisbon Treaty referendum.
Resolutions supporting the Republican prisoners in Maghaberry and Portlaoise and advocating more effort on their behalf were supported by many Cumainn and passed unanimously.
On Sunday afternoon, the Constitution & Rule sections debated several important motions. A change to rule 42, re the naming of Cumainn was proposed by the Ard Chomhairle and many other branches of the organisations, following recent problems in the Tyrone area in this regard. Rule 42 read: “No Cumann shall be named after any living person.” The change added: (b) Cumainn shall be named solely after persons who have been faithful to the All-Ireland Republic until death.” An amendment from Limerick Comhairle Ceantair proposed that if passed this change should not be retrospective.
A long and passionate debate ensued during which it was pointed out that the Constitution should be taken as a whole, not in sections. An tUachtarán, Ruairí Ó Brádaigh said that the Constitution stated that the Organisation was based on the fundamental principles, that the allegiance of Irishmen and Irishwomen was due to the sovereign Irish Republic proclaimed in 1916 and established by the First Dáil Éireann on 21 January, 1919 and that the sovereignty and unity of the Republic was inalienable and non-judicable. He said that these principles were embodied in the Membership Pledge. He said if we pledge our allegiance to the All-Ireland Republic how could we name Cumainn after people who, with all due respect to them, allowed themselves to be used as cover from 1986 onwards to subvert a large section of the Republican Movement into a constitutional political party.
In a moving and powerful contribution, John Joe McCusker, Fermanagh Ard Chomhairle delegate pointed out that we honour and respect the ten H-Block hunger strikers but do not name Cumainn after the three INLA members whose sacrifice was as great as that of the IRA prisoners. While we show respect to people like the Loughgall Martyrs who were murdered by the British we cannot call our Cumainn after them as they were members of an organisation which had accepted the partitionist assembly at Leinster House. Many other contributions were made to the debate. The amendment was very heavily defeated and the motion was passed overwhelmingly.
Motion 40, which “instructs all new Cumainn to submit the name of the said Cumann to be approved by the Ard Chomhairle whose decision will be final, this to be added to Rule 42” was also passed.
Resolutions on Social & Economic, Activities & Organisation, Education, Culture & Publicity and International Affairs were debated by the Ard-Fheis and a full report will be carried in the December edition of SAOIRSE.
On Saturday night a most enjoyable social evening took place and delegates enjoyed the opportunity to meet each other and catch up with old friends.
2. RSF PROTEST IN LURGAN AT BRITISH POLICING BOARD MEETING
OVER 40 members and supporters of the Thomas Harte Cumann of Republican Sinn Féin mounted a picket at the British District Policing Partnership, Mount Zion House, Lurgan, Co Armagh on November 6.
The protesters gathered on the steps of Mount Zion as those attending the meeting entered the building. They held placards and banners opposing British rule in Ireland and proclaiming support for Republican prisoners.
The meeting was opened by chairperson Samuel Gardiner, who invited District Commander, RUC/PSNI Chief Inspector Jason Murphy to present his six-month report.
Shortly after the presentation began the protesters entered the meeting room and a spokesperson for the group declared the protesters would hold a peaceful demonstration. He said: “The RUC/PSNI is an illegal police force and we will not recognise it, we will only recognise a police force that serves the 32 counties of Ireland.”
The protesters then began chanting Republican slogans. The RUC/PSNI chief inspector was urged by the chairperson to continue his presentation but he was drowned out by the protesters.
The protesters continued to heckle the RUC/PSNI as he presented his report before they left the room. As the protesters left one of the group called some of those attending the meeting “traitors”. The protest lasted for just over five minutes.
3. PROVO DEFENCE OF FREE STATE ARMY CONDEMNED
THE decision by the Provos in Donegal to campaign on behalf of Free State soldiers shows how far they have travelled down the road of constitutionalism and reformism, Director of Publicity of Republican Sinn Féin, Richard Walsh, said on November 7.
He said: “They held a meeting in Letterkenny last week to oppose the closure of Free State Army barracks in the county. How long now before they oppose the closure of British Army barracks in the Six Occupied Counties? The record of Free State Forces, when dealing with Republicans, is no better than that of the Crown Forces. Even today they continue to provide escorts for those appearing before the Special non-jury Court in Dublin's Green Street.
“The Provos claim that they are speaking out for those unable to speak for themselves, but in reality they are merely showing how opportunistic and unprincipled they are.”
4. APOLOGY OVER £5M FOR LOYALIST-LINK FIRM
RUC/PSNI Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde was forced to publicly apologise on November 8 after admitting that the British colonial police had failed to disclose that a building firm with links to an alleged UVF leader was paid almost £5 million by the RUC/PSNI.
Sir Hugh confirmed to the British Policing Board that the force had provided incorrect figures when asked to detail how much money had been paid out for work by two building firms, including one owned by Richard Jameson.
In January 2000, the alleged mid-Ulster UVF leader was shot dead by the LVF near his home in Portadown. The murder sparked a bitter loyalist feud that claimed the lives of Protestant teenagers David McIlwaine and Andrew Robb less than a month later.
It later emerged that Jameson’s building company had been awarded a series of contracts to work on RUC/PSNI barracks, prisons and British army bases. Concern was also expressed over claims that the firm received the lucrative contracts despite twice failing police vetting procedures.
In September 2007 the RUC/PSNI said they had paid £320,000 to two Co Armagh building firms for work carried out on various RUC/PSNI barracks over a six-year period.
Jameson's still hold contracts with the PSNI and every other govt agency. They work for the Departments of Education and Agriculture despite Provo Stormont ministers. Workers with loyalist tattoos have been sent to work in Catholic schools.
5. SDLP MAYOR HOLDS RECEPTION IN DERRY FOR BRITISH TROOPS
SDLP Mayor of Derry Gerard Diver held a reception for members of the British Crown Forces recently returned from Afghanistan and Iraq. Members of the Territorial Army and Royal Irish Regiment attended the reception in the Mayor's parlour in the Guildhall on November 7.
6. MCGUINNESS SENDS CONDOLENCES TO HERMON FAMILY
PROVO deputy first minister Martin McGuinness sent condolences to the family of former RUC chief constable John Hermon who died on November 7. John Hermon led the RUC from 1980 to 1989 during some of the worst shoot-to-kill incidents associated with the RUC.
7. BE ‘READY FOR BATTLE’ – UDA/UFF
A STATEMENT from the loyalist death squad the UDA/UFF told loyalists on Novemver 11 to be “ready for battle” and accused Republicans of racism, ignorance and bigotry.
The Ulster Political Research Group's Frankie Gallagher said the statement referred to a “new battlefield”.
“To do battle in terms of social economy, in terms of bringing jobs into Protestant communities, in terms of unionist unity,” he said.
Mr Gallagher said while the language of the UDA statement was “pretty harsh, I can tell you if that had been 10 or 15 years ago that would have been a lot harsher”.
8. Bottom of Form
SECURITY STEPPED UP AT GAA CLUBS
GAELIC football clubs in rural parts of Co Tyrone are to step up their own security by calling on volunteers to guard the buildings in the wake of the arson attacks.
Some are considering devising rotas for members to keep watch on vulnerable property after GAA clubs located 10 miles apart were targeted.
Clubhouses at Cookstown and Edendork were attacked within 24 hours and others say they are worried they may be next.
Chairman of nearby Rock GAC club John Ward said all clubs in the area will be reviewing their security.
“It was Cookstown last night. It could be us tomorrow night for all we know,” he said.
“We have security cameras but we’ll be looking at getting volunteers to keep a watch at the club and I’d imagine all clubs will be looking at that now.”
Damien McConville, secretary of Stewartstown GFC, said they had already asked members for increased vigilance in light of the attack in Edendork on Saturday.
“As soon as Edendork was attacked, that afternoon we had asked any members living nearby to keep a watch on the clubhouse,” he said. “We will probably start a rota now that the two clubs have been attacked.”
Gerard McSloy, secretary of the latest club to be attacked, said the youngest members of Fr Rocks GAC would be the most affected.
“The store room is absolutely gutted and this would contain footballs and kit bags for the underage teams and everything that we use for training,” he said.
“We’ll have to move our underage programme to another sports ground until we can get this sorted.”
He said the club had taken security measures prior to the attack.
“The clubhouse would have been a very secure unit,” he said.
“Every window and every door has steel grilles and they had to remove the grille off a fire exit in order to get in.
“It shows how determined they were.”
A fire also destroyed a GAA clubhouse at St Malachy’s GAC, Edendork, outside Dungannon, Co Tyrone on November 8.
Club chairman Peter O’Connor said everyone was in shock but that the club hoped to start rebuilding as soon as possible .
“The building has been completely destroyed. When I got there at 6am the whole place was on fire. The roof was off and the first floor had completely collapsed in,” he said.
Six fire crews battled the blaze for four hours but were unable to enter the building because it was unsafe. The walls of the clubhouse have been judged unsafe and the building will have to be demolished.
“The fire was a huge disruption for us. There are walls that are dangerous and need to be made safe. We hope to pull those down tomorrow,” Peter O’Connor said.
“We will have a meeting this week to get a plan together to start the rebuild. It’s our intention to get the clubhouse rebuilt by early next year so that we have it in time for the next league,” he said.
Despite the clubroom still smouldering in the background, a relegation play-off match between Edendork and Pomeroy went ahead on Saturday. The team pulled together and managed to win the game by six points.
A caller claiming to represent the Orange Volunteers contacted the UTV newsroom on November 8 and said the organisation was responsible for the blaze.
The group emerged during the 1998 Drumcree dispute from fundamentalist loyalists, but are not believed to have been active for several years.
ENDS
Teach Dáithí Ó Conaill, 223 Parnell Street, Dublin 1, Ireland
Phone: +353-1-872 9747; FAX: +353-1-872 9757;
e-mail: saoirse@iol.ie
Date: 14 Samhain / November 2008
Internet resources maintained by SAOIRSE-Irish Freedom
http://saoirse.info
In this issue:1. Republican Sinn Féin Ard-Fheis held in Dublin
2. RSF protest in Lurgan at British Policing Board meeting
3. Provo defence of Free State army condemned
4. Apology over £5m for loyalist-link firm
5. SDLP Mayor holds reception in Derry for British troops
6. McGuinness sends condolences to Hermon family
7. Be ‘ready for battle’ – UDA/UFF
8. Security stepped up at GAA clubs
1. REPUBLICAN SINN FÉIN ARD-FHEIS HELD IN DUBLIN
THE 104th Sinn Féin Ard-Fheis was held in Dublin on the weekend of November 8 and 9. There was a large and enthusiastic attendance which included visitors from Austria, Germany and Corsica.
Political policy was debated on Saturday and resolutions “reasserting our determination as defined in ÉIRE NUA and SAOL NUA to establish a Worker’s Democracy in Ireland, free of foreign control” (Ard Chomhairle and Comhairle Laighean) and calling for a “total British disengagement from Ireland, the release of allpolitical prisoners and the future of Ireland to be decided by the people of Ireland acting as a unit – 32 Counties” (Joe Conway Cumann, Newry) were passed unanimously.
A motion from Kerry Comhairle Ceantair and the John Mitchell Cumann, Co Derry reaffirming our support for and recognising “the authority of the All-Ireland Republic proclaimed in 1916, established in 1919, defended in arms 1919-21, sold out by traitors in 1921-22 and suppressed brutally to this day” as well as condemning the ongoing British occupation of our country was also passed unanimously as were motions “commending the Continuity leadership of the Republican Movement and the Ard Chomhairle and Officer Board of Sinn Féin Poblachtach past and present for their principled leadership in defence of the All-Ireland Republic, especially since 1986 (from Cumann Séamus Ó Dálaigh and the Seán Costello/Martin Hurson, both Co Westmeath and the Bobby Sands/Liam Lynch Cumann, Co Kilkenny, also supported by the Frank Driver Cumann, North Kildare).
Motions calling for a British withdrawal from Ireland and pledging unremitting hostility against the British forces of occupation in Ireland and calling for British withdrawal were passed. A motion asking the Ard-Fheis to “reaffirm its belief that only unity based on the principles of the 1916 Proclamation can build a cohesive and coherent Republican Movement capable of ending British rule in Ireland” (Kilcullen Cumann, Co Kildare) was passed and a motion reiterating our opposition to political broad fronts from Kerry Comhairle Ceantair received overwhelming support.
The Ard-Fheis pledged to actively challenge the Provisionals to drop “the historic name Sinn Féin” and called on the media to stop calling the Provos by that name (Joe Conway Cumann, Newry and the Rafter/Mellows Cumann, Enniscorthy).
Motions rejecting the RUC/PSNI and those who collaborate with them in the District Policing Partnerships were passed as were resolutions condemning the harassment of Republicans, north and south of Britain’s Border. Delegates were strongly opposed to the open recruiting by the British Crown Forces throughout Ireland and to the flying of the Butcher’s Apron (the Union Flag) and called for a greater effort to remove all symbols of former British occupation in the 26 Counties.
The Ard-Fheis unanimously supported a motion calling on all areas to prepare for active involvement in the 2009 26-County local elections, “making an all-out effort” but rejected a motion calling on RSF not to participate in Stormont elections as long as our name did not appear on the ballot paper. It was pointed out that this would tie the Ard Chomhairle’s hands as it might be thought advisable in the future to participate on an abstentionist basis.
The Ard-Fheis also vowed to oppose any rerunning of the Lisbon Treaty referendum.
Resolutions supporting the Republican prisoners in Maghaberry and Portlaoise and advocating more effort on their behalf were supported by many Cumainn and passed unanimously.
On Sunday afternoon, the Constitution & Rule sections debated several important motions. A change to rule 42, re the naming of Cumainn was proposed by the Ard Chomhairle and many other branches of the organisations, following recent problems in the Tyrone area in this regard. Rule 42 read: “No Cumann shall be named after any living person.” The change added: (b) Cumainn shall be named solely after persons who have been faithful to the All-Ireland Republic until death.” An amendment from Limerick Comhairle Ceantair proposed that if passed this change should not be retrospective.
A long and passionate debate ensued during which it was pointed out that the Constitution should be taken as a whole, not in sections. An tUachtarán, Ruairí Ó Brádaigh said that the Constitution stated that the Organisation was based on the fundamental principles, that the allegiance of Irishmen and Irishwomen was due to the sovereign Irish Republic proclaimed in 1916 and established by the First Dáil Éireann on 21 January, 1919 and that the sovereignty and unity of the Republic was inalienable and non-judicable. He said that these principles were embodied in the Membership Pledge. He said if we pledge our allegiance to the All-Ireland Republic how could we name Cumainn after people who, with all due respect to them, allowed themselves to be used as cover from 1986 onwards to subvert a large section of the Republican Movement into a constitutional political party.
In a moving and powerful contribution, John Joe McCusker, Fermanagh Ard Chomhairle delegate pointed out that we honour and respect the ten H-Block hunger strikers but do not name Cumainn after the three INLA members whose sacrifice was as great as that of the IRA prisoners. While we show respect to people like the Loughgall Martyrs who were murdered by the British we cannot call our Cumainn after them as they were members of an organisation which had accepted the partitionist assembly at Leinster House. Many other contributions were made to the debate. The amendment was very heavily defeated and the motion was passed overwhelmingly.
Motion 40, which “instructs all new Cumainn to submit the name of the said Cumann to be approved by the Ard Chomhairle whose decision will be final, this to be added to Rule 42” was also passed.
Resolutions on Social & Economic, Activities & Organisation, Education, Culture & Publicity and International Affairs were debated by the Ard-Fheis and a full report will be carried in the December edition of SAOIRSE.
On Saturday night a most enjoyable social evening took place and delegates enjoyed the opportunity to meet each other and catch up with old friends.
2. RSF PROTEST IN LURGAN AT BRITISH POLICING BOARD MEETING
OVER 40 members and supporters of the Thomas Harte Cumann of Republican Sinn Féin mounted a picket at the British District Policing Partnership, Mount Zion House, Lurgan, Co Armagh on November 6.
The protesters gathered on the steps of Mount Zion as those attending the meeting entered the building. They held placards and banners opposing British rule in Ireland and proclaiming support for Republican prisoners.
The meeting was opened by chairperson Samuel Gardiner, who invited District Commander, RUC/PSNI Chief Inspector Jason Murphy to present his six-month report.
Shortly after the presentation began the protesters entered the meeting room and a spokesperson for the group declared the protesters would hold a peaceful demonstration. He said: “The RUC/PSNI is an illegal police force and we will not recognise it, we will only recognise a police force that serves the 32 counties of Ireland.”
The protesters then began chanting Republican slogans. The RUC/PSNI chief inspector was urged by the chairperson to continue his presentation but he was drowned out by the protesters.
The protesters continued to heckle the RUC/PSNI as he presented his report before they left the room. As the protesters left one of the group called some of those attending the meeting “traitors”. The protest lasted for just over five minutes.
3. PROVO DEFENCE OF FREE STATE ARMY CONDEMNED
THE decision by the Provos in Donegal to campaign on behalf of Free State soldiers shows how far they have travelled down the road of constitutionalism and reformism, Director of Publicity of Republican Sinn Féin, Richard Walsh, said on November 7.
He said: “They held a meeting in Letterkenny last week to oppose the closure of Free State Army barracks in the county. How long now before they oppose the closure of British Army barracks in the Six Occupied Counties? The record of Free State Forces, when dealing with Republicans, is no better than that of the Crown Forces. Even today they continue to provide escorts for those appearing before the Special non-jury Court in Dublin's Green Street.
“The Provos claim that they are speaking out for those unable to speak for themselves, but in reality they are merely showing how opportunistic and unprincipled they are.”
4. APOLOGY OVER £5M FOR LOYALIST-LINK FIRM
RUC/PSNI Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde was forced to publicly apologise on November 8 after admitting that the British colonial police had failed to disclose that a building firm with links to an alleged UVF leader was paid almost £5 million by the RUC/PSNI.
Sir Hugh confirmed to the British Policing Board that the force had provided incorrect figures when asked to detail how much money had been paid out for work by two building firms, including one owned by Richard Jameson.
In January 2000, the alleged mid-Ulster UVF leader was shot dead by the LVF near his home in Portadown. The murder sparked a bitter loyalist feud that claimed the lives of Protestant teenagers David McIlwaine and Andrew Robb less than a month later.
It later emerged that Jameson’s building company had been awarded a series of contracts to work on RUC/PSNI barracks, prisons and British army bases. Concern was also expressed over claims that the firm received the lucrative contracts despite twice failing police vetting procedures.
In September 2007 the RUC/PSNI said they had paid £320,000 to two Co Armagh building firms for work carried out on various RUC/PSNI barracks over a six-year period.
Jameson's still hold contracts with the PSNI and every other govt agency. They work for the Departments of Education and Agriculture despite Provo Stormont ministers. Workers with loyalist tattoos have been sent to work in Catholic schools.
5. SDLP MAYOR HOLDS RECEPTION IN DERRY FOR BRITISH TROOPS
SDLP Mayor of Derry Gerard Diver held a reception for members of the British Crown Forces recently returned from Afghanistan and Iraq. Members of the Territorial Army and Royal Irish Regiment attended the reception in the Mayor's parlour in the Guildhall on November 7.
6. MCGUINNESS SENDS CONDOLENCES TO HERMON FAMILY
PROVO deputy first minister Martin McGuinness sent condolences to the family of former RUC chief constable John Hermon who died on November 7. John Hermon led the RUC from 1980 to 1989 during some of the worst shoot-to-kill incidents associated with the RUC.
7. BE ‘READY FOR BATTLE’ – UDA/UFF
A STATEMENT from the loyalist death squad the UDA/UFF told loyalists on Novemver 11 to be “ready for battle” and accused Republicans of racism, ignorance and bigotry.
The Ulster Political Research Group's Frankie Gallagher said the statement referred to a “new battlefield”.
“To do battle in terms of social economy, in terms of bringing jobs into Protestant communities, in terms of unionist unity,” he said.
Mr Gallagher said while the language of the UDA statement was “pretty harsh, I can tell you if that had been 10 or 15 years ago that would have been a lot harsher”.
8. Bottom of Form
SECURITY STEPPED UP AT GAA CLUBS
GAELIC football clubs in rural parts of Co Tyrone are to step up their own security by calling on volunteers to guard the buildings in the wake of the arson attacks.
Some are considering devising rotas for members to keep watch on vulnerable property after GAA clubs located 10 miles apart were targeted.
Clubhouses at Cookstown and Edendork were attacked within 24 hours and others say they are worried they may be next.
Chairman of nearby Rock GAC club John Ward said all clubs in the area will be reviewing their security.
“It was Cookstown last night. It could be us tomorrow night for all we know,” he said.
“We have security cameras but we’ll be looking at getting volunteers to keep a watch at the club and I’d imagine all clubs will be looking at that now.”
Damien McConville, secretary of Stewartstown GFC, said they had already asked members for increased vigilance in light of the attack in Edendork on Saturday.
“As soon as Edendork was attacked, that afternoon we had asked any members living nearby to keep a watch on the clubhouse,” he said. “We will probably start a rota now that the two clubs have been attacked.”
Gerard McSloy, secretary of the latest club to be attacked, said the youngest members of Fr Rocks GAC would be the most affected.
“The store room is absolutely gutted and this would contain footballs and kit bags for the underage teams and everything that we use for training,” he said.
“We’ll have to move our underage programme to another sports ground until we can get this sorted.”
He said the club had taken security measures prior to the attack.
“The clubhouse would have been a very secure unit,” he said.
“Every window and every door has steel grilles and they had to remove the grille off a fire exit in order to get in.
“It shows how determined they were.”
A fire also destroyed a GAA clubhouse at St Malachy’s GAC, Edendork, outside Dungannon, Co Tyrone on November 8.
Club chairman Peter O’Connor said everyone was in shock but that the club hoped to start rebuilding as soon as possible .
“The building has been completely destroyed. When I got there at 6am the whole place was on fire. The roof was off and the first floor had completely collapsed in,” he said.
Six fire crews battled the blaze for four hours but were unable to enter the building because it was unsafe. The walls of the clubhouse have been judged unsafe and the building will have to be demolished.
“The fire was a huge disruption for us. There are walls that are dangerous and need to be made safe. We hope to pull those down tomorrow,” Peter O’Connor said.
“We will have a meeting this week to get a plan together to start the rebuild. It’s our intention to get the clubhouse rebuilt by early next year so that we have it in time for the next league,” he said.
Despite the clubroom still smouldering in the background, a relegation play-off match between Edendork and Pomeroy went ahead on Saturday. The team pulled together and managed to win the game by six points.
A caller claiming to represent the Orange Volunteers contacted the UTV newsroom on November 8 and said the organisation was responsible for the blaze.
The group emerged during the 1998 Drumcree dispute from fundamentalist loyalists, but are not believed to have been active for several years.
ENDS
