Fourthwrite .............................Issue No. 6

Local government candidate

Founding member of the IRSP and currently a contributor to Fourthwrite, Armagh man John Nixon recently stood as an independent candidate in the local government election in the North. Although eventually defeated on the tenth count, Nixon did remarkably well in this his first attempt to win a seat on Armagh City & District Council. Gaining 646 first preference votes when the quota was 1,061 ensured the he was in contention for a seat until the very end of the contest.

In spite of his very clear republican credentials (which he made no attempt to disguise), Nixon nevertheless fought his election campaign on a decidedly socialist manifesto. Although often used before, his slogan; Make work for Armagh to make Armagh work proved effective in a town that has experienced a huge decline in its industrial and commercial sectors over the past thirty years.

Armagh city has suffered greatly from the effects of the diverging economies north and south of the border and the feeling of demoralisation in the area is almost palpable as even the refuse services are now less frequent and effective than in the past.

When asked about his campaign, John Nixon told Fourthwrite that he has been aware for some time of a growing perception that radical changes are needed in Armagh and that his message was striking a chord on the doorsteps during his canvas.

Disappointed though he is by the result, Nixon realises that he has made a significant impact on the electorate in this area and says that there are lessons to be learned from his campaign.

He has moreover, committed himself to continuing his work on behalf of those who voted for him and indeed all the people of his home town. He says that he intends to help organise an ongoing campaign to create employment and enhance employment prospects for Armagh. Not an easy task but we wish him well

Successful meetings

Cork

Since our last issue, contributors to this magazine have taken part in two very successful speaking engagements. On 11 April Fourthwrite editor Tommy McKearney and former OC of Long Kesh, Brendan Hughes addressed a large gathering in the Shandon Court Hotel, Cork City.

The meeting was organised by the Rebel City Collective and attracted a broad range of republicans and socialists to hear the speakers talk of the 1980/81 hunger strikes and how they view the political situation today. After the two men had spoken, the chairperson invited members of the audience to participate in a questions and answer session. A lively and useful debate then followed.  

click to see photo

Fermanagh

Republican Sinn Fein organised a well-attended commemorative lecture for Bobby Sands in the Donn Carrag Hotel in Lisnaskea, Co. Fermanagh on 5th May 2001. Ruairi O Bradaigh, Republican Sinn Fein, spoke on the historical role of the hunger strike within Irish republicanism. John Nixon and Tommy McKearney, former hunger strikers and contributors to Fourthwrite, spoke about the day-to-day conditions experienced by republican prisoners on "the blanket" and shared their memories of Bobby Sands and his times with the audience.

Solidarity with Turkish hunger strikers

Regular Dublin based contributors to the Fourthwrite magazine have played a prominent role in highlighting the plight of prisoners currently dying on hunger strike in Turkish jails. A meeting, which they helped organise recently in Trinity College Dublin, attracted a crowd of over fifty people to hear former blanket men Tony O’Hara, Séanna Breathnach and John Nixon condemn the inhuman behaviour of the Turkish government.

The campaign to help these prisoners continues and requires the support of all concerned with humanity.

Meeting in Camden Town

London based supporters of Fourthwrite magazine have invited its editor, Tommy McKearney, to speak at a meeting in the Camden Irish Centre at 7:30pm on 22 June 2001. The discussion will be: "what is the future for Irish republicanism in the aftermath of the Good Friday Agreement?"

An Aside

If, as is reported, that over 30% of applications for the new police force in the North come from within the Catholic community, what then of the prospects for the impact of demographics on partition? The old RIC was never short of R.C.’s or of loyalty to Britain. 

Confidence in the people

Berthold Brecht, the celebrated German poet and playwright once said after the East German Government crushed a workers uprising that ; The Government has passed a motion of no-confidence in the people and now proposes that a new and wiser people be put in their place.

After hearing the comments from some of the political figures after the recent referendum in the South, it might well be the case that the wise men and women of Leinster House have also lost their faith in us. We are not worthy of their efforts. In reality they will probably just continue to hold referenda until in despair we give them the result they demand demand.