REPUBLICANS TOLD TURN BACKS ON CRIMINALITY

Mackey blasts ‘struggle in disrepute’

THE chairman of Ireland’s 32 County Sovereignty Movement has hit out at the “insidious cloud of criminality” surrounding republicanism.

Francie Mackey accused “reckless elements” of reducing their plight to “tabloid fodder”.

He called on republicans to turn their backs on violence at the graveside of Dublin’s former Real IRA leader Alan Ryan on Saturday.

The father of one was just 32 when he was shot dead in North Dublin on September 3, 2012. It is thought he was murdered by a criminal gang.

In his oration, which was posted on Facebook, Co Tyrone man Mackey said: “In these changed times we must invoke the courage and commitment of volunteer Alan Ryan and his brother Vincent to help us grasp the nettle of change that is now required of Irish republicanism. “We must recognise that unless there is

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a fundamental reclamation of Irish republicanism from reckless elements, it will be reduced to the state of perpetual tabloid fodder.

“Specific events of outright criminality have brought this entire struggle into disrepute.

“These acts cannot be dismissed as anomalies.

“They are a distinct pattern of a reckless and deeply flawed political and military acumen and must cease forthwith.” He called on the “national army” to “be fully cognisant of the political environment in which it exists” and to seek out a “new narrative”.

And Mackey urged members to “seek out genuine political alternatives to advance its goals” – using “armed struggle” only as a last resort.

He added: “Reckless and undisciplined actions are no option at all.

“To win this struggle we cannot simply offer our people war.”

Mackey also slated “brash comments by Free State leaders concerning Irish unity and the border” as “a dangerous departure from any concept of Irish unity that entails national sovereignty”.

He said: “What we are witnessing now is the horse-trading of Irish unity in return for the surrender of Irish sovereignty to Westminster, Brussels or international corporate entities.

“This is where a republican understanding of the totality of sovereignty and self-determination is essential.”