RSF supports Gabriel Mackle in his defence of his Republican identity.

Statement by the President of Republican Sinn Féin Des Dalton
28ú Márta/March

Republican Sinn Féin salutes Gabriel Mackle on his courageous defence of his distinct identity and autonomy as an Irish Republican POW within the Maghaberry prison. Irish Republican POWs have historically had to run the gauntlet of British and 26-County state attempts to criminalise them and deny them their identity, shamefully on this occasion this latest injustice comes at the hands of those purporting to be fellow Irish Republicans. To compound the injustice is the fact that it was the CABHAIR supported prisoners who won the right of Republican prisoners to have their separate identity accepted by the prison regime. The CABHAIR supported prisoners led the dirty protests which resulted in the August 2010 Agreement.
This attempt to deny Gabriel Mackle his own political identity and autonomy brings only shame to those who have a hand in it. By cloaking their actions in the name of Republicanism they sully that noble banner. A statement issued under the name of “Republican Prisoners, Roe 4” in Maghaberry prison by the group styling itself Saoradh is quite simply a tissue of lies and calculated smear, designed to hide what is really happening here.

In an attempt to smear Gabriel Mackle the statement cites his previous membership of the British Army’s Royal Irish Regiment. This is a matter of public record. Irish Republican history is littered with instances of Irish patriots who having served in the British Army subsequently gave honourable and heroic service to the cause of Irish freedom, James Connolly, Michael Mallin and Tom Barry are notable examples.

This statement cannot disguise the reality of what is going on in Maghaberry. Gabriel Mackle’s right, a right inherent to all Republican POWs, to maintain his own political identity is being attacked. Historically this right has always been respected by Republican prisoners regardless of organisation. However, this latest move to deny Gabriel Mackle this right echoes the actions of the Provisionals who in 1986 forced Republican prisoners who refused to renounce their Republican principles and abandon their allegiance to the All-Ireland Republic off prison landings.

Today it seems similar tactics are being employed by a grouping that it seems will not tolerate any alternative views. When these people speak of unity we now can see what they really mean. They are simply Provo – lite, aping the tactics and mindset of the Provisionals. They will be no more successful in their attempts to intimidate faithful Irish Republicans than the reformist Provos were before them.
We will not be intimidated or deflected from our work. Over the decades we have seen many such groupings styling themselves as Republican come and go. Republican Sinn Féin and the Republican Movement long predate them and will long outlast them. This year we mark 100 years since the historic 1917 Ard Fheis at which Sinn Féin adopted a Republican constitution. We are proud of our history of unbroken continuity of principle and organisation. Over the course of that century faithful Irish Republicans have defended that constitution from those who have attempted to subvert it, in 1921, 1926, 1946, 1969/70 and 1986. We will remain steadfast in our allegiance to the All-Ireland Republic of Easter and determined in our pursuit of our Republican goals. Once more we salute Gabriel Mackle and pledge him our continued solidarity and support. Maith thú Gabriel.

Críoch/Ends.

With many thanks to: Des Dalton, President Republican Sinn Féin.

Roe 4 Maghaberry Prisoners Statement – IRPWA

Regrettably Republican Prisoners Roe 4 feel the need to issue a statement regarding allegations surrounding an individual’s decision to leave the Republican Wing.

This, of course, should have been dealt with maturely and pragmatically without feeding the PR machine of those attacking Republicans.

This individual was accepted onto Roe 4 after being asked to leave the Roe 3 community as a result of his behaviour there. He was accepted onto Roe 4 conditionally, despite his history in the British Army’s RIR and his previous attitude and behaviour toward Republican Prisoners.His acceptance onto Roe 4 was based on the ending of this behaviour yet after a short time this continued. Firstly, with Roe 3 Prisoners and then with others on Roe 4, he engaged in systematic bullying and engaged in other actions which jeopardised the community conditions without consulting the community. The community provides support and protection to all of those who reside on Roe 4; bullying, intimidation and anti-community activity is incompatible with the very basis of this wing. When this was explained to this individual, he refused to accept this and made it clear that he would rather leave; citing that he would not be adhering to the community guidelines (despite initially agreeing to do so on admittance to the Roe 4 landing). He then proceeded to issue serious threats against two Roe 4 Prisoners in front of the screws.

One issue of particular concern was his individual approach to potential Judicial Reviews that could have detrimental repercussions for all Maghaberry POWs and not to him individually, as he is due to be released soon.
The Judicial Review mechanism is employed by Republican Prisoners to deliver regime change in the face of utter intransigence. The agreement which Mr Mackle had accepted by subscribing to the Roe 4 charter, determined that any Judicial Review initiated in relation to issues on Roe 4 could only be initiated in consultation with all those that it directly affects, and in conjunction with all other ongoing Judicial Reviews.
Roe 4 believes, with substantiating evidence to back it up, that this organised approach to Judicial Reviews is the only approach viable, against an administration that is maintained by British Intelligence.
Mr Mackle decided that he would no longer adhere to these terms regarding the initiation of Judicial Review proceedings. As this placed Republican Political Prisoners at risk of adverse outcomes it was at this stage that the duty which Roe 4 representatives have to Republican Prisoners was activated.

The relationship between Roe 3 and Roe 4 has never been stronger and this individual is not welcome in either community.

Republican Prisoners in Roe House are at the coal-face of the prison struggle for political status and will remain so. We are obligated to protect and to defend not only current Republican Prisoners but those who will follow us through the gates of this citadel of hatred. We will not be distracted or moved from our position by deliberate scurrilous allegations.

This is the last word on the matter. Republican Prisoners are concerned with challenging oppression. We have no time for petty nonsense. Our decision is final. Gabriel Mackle in repeatedly breaching the charter to which he subscribed is not welcome on Republican Roe House.

Republican Prisoners,
Roe 4,
Maghaberry.
28th March 2017