Tiocfaidh Ár Lá

Last Ever - Issue 40

Price £2 / €3 For Celtic & Ireland

The Final Farewell

 Tiocfaidh Ár Lá
port has also gone through transforma-
tions in this period with the growth in
numbers also being accompanied by 'a
new breed of fan’ – one that neither
knows its history nor even sings the
songs, or relates to the special atmos-
phere that have been long associated
with our club.

There are still many issues that need to

be continually addressed by the sup-
porters at Celtic Park: the club's corpo-
rate image taking precedence over the
fans' cultural identity; the consequent
loss of atmosphere in the ground; con-
tinued vigilance against racism etc...
and of course, the team itself and the
money allotted to the coaching staff for
strengthening the squad. All of this and
more still require our attention.

‘sectarianism’ are almost entirely press- We'd like to thank TAL’s readers, con-
TAL Issue 40 is the last led, completely misplaced and politically tributors, supporters and even some of
issue of TAL Fanzine misguided. It is therefore incumbent on our critics for making the production of
republicans to make a more general- the magazine over a thirteen year pe-
This issue of TAL, our 40th in 13 years ised political response to such attacks riod a worthwhile task. TAL as we have
of existence, will be the last issue of the on the Irish community in Scotland. We come to know it may be no more, but
magazine as we have come to know it should not allow the issue of anti-Irish we won’t be going away entirely you
in A4 format. TAL will continue on the racism in Scottish society know. Out of the ashes...
web and we hope to produce a more (euphemistically described as
regular but shorter E-zine edition of the ‘sectarianism’) to be reduced down to TAL’s Roll of Honour
fanzine after a general overhaul of the the actions of the supporters of Celtic
and rangers. However, TÁL, in our There have been many over the
TAL website – www.talfanzine.com.
opinion, is not the proper vehicle for re- years who have played their part in
publicans to make that political re- the development of TAL but thanks
The TAL Forum which has developed must go to the following for their
a life on the internet independent of the sponse.
long-standing help and support:
magazine will also continue to function
Jon, Allan, Eddie, Kidder, Tam, Smiler,
and hopefully become a source of arti- Cairde Na hÉireann is the political
means by which republicans in Scot- Boydo (R.I.P.), Davie, John O’K,
cles and writers for the regular E-zine. Polegass Bhoy, Gary Og, Alan Q,
land must respond to the attacks on our
Smiddy, Mark B, Pilgrim Charlie, Peter,
A number of factors have brought this community. It is to be hoped that
Celtic Connection (Mark RIP), She-
decision about. Most of all, however, Cairde’s plans to produce its own quar- been, Irish Brigade, Peatdiggers, Mick,
have been our changing political priori- terly political magazine will come to frui- Jimmy, Ricky, Govan Psycho Killers,
ties. The fanzine has largely served its tion in the very near future. Watch out Tall Cranes, G51 Club, Big Ed, Cladda
political function and it is time for a new for announcements of a new magazine
Club, Derek Warfied, Paddy, Jude,
generation of young republicans to pick from Cairde Na hÉireann. This new Brian, Eamon, Panic Brothers, Robert,
up the gauntlet. The laws and regula- republican political magazine from Phil, Terry, Feargal, Kevin, Jez, South-
tions with regard to "sectarianism" in CnhÉ will address itself to all of the po- sider, Kenny, Euan, Emma, Gerry,
Scotland are increasingly being litical issues that TÁL did previously, but
Damian, Noel, Billy Lynch (RIP), Andy,
adapted for use against those who it will hopefully have a wider appeal to Gary, Pat, Jim, Denis, One-Eye, Anti-
show political support for Irish republi- republican-minded folk in Scotland, in Fascist Action, Red Action, James Con-
canism. This together with the generally addition to TÁL's core within the Celtic nolly Society, An Phoblacht-Repubican
antagonistic and repressive policing support. It is expected that CnhÉ mem-
News, P.O.W. Department, Cairde Na
policies at football grounds has made it bers will sell the new magazine at Celtic hÉireann, Vol. Séan McIlvenna RFB,
more difficult to sell the TÁL magazine Park, starting next season. James Connolly RFB (defunct), Vol.
at Celtic Park and even to find the nec- Bily Reid RFB (defunct), Sons of Ire-
essary numbers prepared to take the In the lifetime of TAL Fanzine we have
land RFB (defunct) Bridgeton RFB
risk of harassment and possible arrest gone through the changes from the old (defunct), Jim, Stevie, Sven, Heiko,
by selling it at the ground. terracing to an all-seater stadium, even
spending some time away from Celtic Rafael, Katrin, Massimo, JFR, HNT, St
Pauli Fanladen, Dixie, Holloway Gael,
It’s our opinion that the proposed tight- Park when we had to play our home
Greenock CSC, Spuds, James G, Celtic
ening of laws and regulations on matches at Hampden. The Celtic sup- Soccer Crew… and any we’ve missed!
 Team Talk
It has been a strange season in many
ways but then we always knew it would
be. The idea of going to watch a Celtic
team minus the familiar sight & consid-
erable talents of Henrik Larsson was a
difficult one to come to terms with but
reality bites hard.
Among some of the other oddities we've
had to endure this season was our first
home defeat in the Champions League
group stages (there's that man Larsson
again I hear you say..!!). On a more
welcome note we collected our first
point on our travels in the same compe-
tition. Ultimately though it proved too
little too late & it wasn’t even enough to
secure a place in the UEFA cup. Thus
no European football the other side of
Christmas for the first time in three sea-
sons, now that was strange. (Overheard
after the Milan game outside Celtic Park
as we trudged away from the ground:
‘Nae maer Continental excursions tae
see the Celtic.?? Feck me, I suppose I’ll
need tae get a burd!’
Strangest of all for me though this sea-
son is why we had a Brazilian world cup
winner playing second string football
who couldn’t buy his way into the man-
agers thoughts when it is clearly obvi-
ous to all that certain players either
needed to be rested for fear of burn out
or should have been dropped due to
loss of form?
Despite the fact that we are still the
masters of our own destiny the season
hasn’t exactly panned out as we might
have expected. I for one thought maybe
somewhat naively, that we would simply
pick up in 2004/05 where we had left off
in 03/04, After all given the achieve-
ments of last year coupled with the in-
eptness of our nearest challengers it
wasn’t an unrealistic expectation. The
truth is however that we have rarely hit
the dizzy heights of last seasons cam-
paign.
Of course everyone will have their own
opinion as to why that might be & if
MORI were to conduct a poll of the sup-
port tomorrow then these are some of
the reasons that might feature highly:
* The refusal of the board to invest from
a position of strength.
* An improvement in both personnel &
performance across the City.
* A lack of consistency in
our own performance.
Others may feel that the
current side has become
a little long in the tooth
with the majority of Mar-
tin O’Neill’s preferred
first eleven well into their
thirties. O’Neill himself
may point to injuries & in
particular the long term
absence of Didier Agathe & the intermit- player who was playing well & he knew
tent knocks that Chris Sutton has it..!! It is a vital ingredient that has been
picked up throughout. missing from a Celtic team for quite
some time, Sutton though supremely
My own belief which I’m sure is shared competent is unassuming, as Larsson
by many is that we have yet to compen- was. Hartson in turn is modesty per-
sate for the departure of Larsson. Al- sonified. Bellamy however thinks he’s
though for the most part we have con- the man and he’s convinced me..!!
tinued to win games the victories have There’s no doubting the ability and con-
tended to be laboured rather than em- fidence of this player. His addition to the
phatic. Whilst no one would have un- squad has inspired us to go on the run
der-estimated Henrik’s loss, in terms of that will see us retain the League & Cup
goals, it his perhaps his work rate & double that was clinched with eventual
ability to pressurise defences that have ease in the Hampden sunshine last
been crucially missed. As Larsson left, May. Oh, and if he does by the way, be
much of the weight of expectation was prepared to listen to him telling us so..!!
placed on the not unsubstantial shoul-
ders of John Hartson & whilst not being Of course it is not just about the strikers
as prolific as his predecessor he has let & if our aspirations are to be realised
nobody down. The difference between then there are one or two players who
the two however is stark. Compare will need to buck there ideas up a wee
Larsson the natural athlete who would bit for the run in. The defence to date
effortlessly pull defenders all over the has been less than impressive although
park to Hartson who has to work so Laursen has been reasonably OK (no
hard just to maintain match fitness. We more than that) since coming in. Bobo
could never have expected BBJ to un- & Stan have on occasions this season
dertake Henrik’s role but for what he looked as if they were playing alongside
has done, he is for me the outstanding each other for the very first time, which
candidate for this seasons ‘Player of the is hugely frustrating.
Year’ award, With Petrov a close sec-
ond. The goalkeeper’s position is one that
continues to haunt us regardless of
However who’s between the sticks Despite Rab
Hartson’s Douglas’s howler against the Forces of
b u r d e n Darkness, I would, like Martin O’Neil,
might just have been inclined to stick with him.
be eased However, as is often the case with Big
n o w Rab, his misfortune while paying for
thanks to Scotland has become David Marshall’s
the per- opportunity to once again stake his
s u a s i v e claim to the goalkeeper’s jersey. His
m a n n e r most recent performance against rang-
of Martin ers at the Reichstag was further proof
O ’ N e i l l that he certainly has the potential to
that resulted in the addition of Craig make that place his own, but as with
Bellamy to the squad at least until the Douglas, it is a lack of consistency that
end of the season. Bellamy’s perform- has been Marshall’s problem in the
ance in the recent victory at Easter Rd past. I hope that he is about to over-
was inspirational. It was full of pace, come that problem.
drive determination, skill & most impres-
sive of all, arrogance. Here was a In midfield Thompson has been under-
achieving for quite some time now & as
I alluded to earlier I cannot understand
why Juninho was not given a longer op-
portunity to impress at Thomo’s ex-
pense, but with the small one now hav-
ing departed the question is now an
academic one. As for Petrov he contin-
ues to defy the odds with his all action
displays. Given that he hasn’t had a
proper break from the demands of top
class football for almost 2 years I think
we can forgive him for going AWOL
during the second half of the recent set-
back to the Huns. Lennon is well, sim- By Our Food Expert last Sunday. And who could
ply Lennon. His consistency is his Craig Salami. grudge Celtic their magnificent
strength & we are grateful for it. victory after the kindness of
their super support?
Celtic’s display against rang-
Without doubt ers in the last encounter of
the most en- As always there were a few big-
the season between the two ots among the rangers crowd
joyable aspect
Glasgow giants was spicier who resorted to the usual sec-
of the season
has been the
than a Peperami sausage. tarian name calling. Cries of
emergence of And to prove the “Pep(erami)ish
Aidan McGe- miraculous prop- Bastards” and
erties of the Sa- “No Salami” show
ady as a first
lami, our fans that the Ibrox
team regular.
decided to donate faithful have a
Although he long way to go
will be the first their extra sau-
before they enter
to acknowl- sages to the the culinary
edge that but for the absence of Agathe starving Sons of equivalent of the
he might not have featured as often as William. A real 21st Century. But
he has he’s certainly seized the oppor- demonstration of they were the mi-
tunity & has become an integral part of the charitable nority because
the first team squad. Contrast that to roots of our cub the rest of the
the fortunes of one Liam Miller who has to bring joy to blue order raise
failed dramatically to find his feet at Old the many and their seats in the
Trafford. Is that what they call ‘chickens food to the embittered few. race to get out of the stadium
coming home to roost’..?? early enough to catch the last
The Ibrox soup kitchen manager freebie frankfurters from their
And so to sum up, nobody at Celtic was so overwhelmed by the gen- philanthropic friends from the
Park will need telling that the reality of erosity of the Celtic supporters east end.
this season, especially failure to go be- that he took to the field himself
yond Christmas in Europe, has not to take charge of the collection. One rangers fan was even kind
quite met the expectations of the sup- Well, it was either him or Derek enough to offer his soft drink to
porters. In that sense we have become Johnstone and the starving poor one of the Celtic players as a
victims of our own success. To borrow of Bluenoseville were deemed to gesture of solidarity and thanks.
a euphemism that the Manager has of- be in greater need than the bot-
ten been tempted to use, we are now tomless pit that is DJ’s belly. We understand that with the
loveable wee green snack having
the ‘benchmark’ & have been for some
The malnourished been being de-
time. But it is worth pointing out that de-
and emotionally clared off-limits by
spite not matching up to our billing noth- the powers-that-be
ing is lost & everything is still there to deprived children
of Bridgeton, at the Reichstag,
be won, it’s all very much in our own there was a move
hands. So come the 29th of May & Larkhall and
Greengairs were to bring in the
Jackie’s testimonial I fully expect to see True Blue Bitterami
the Captain running around Paradise treated to a sau-
sage feast on Sun- as a cheap replace-
with a trophy in each hand. That is sure ment. However,
to be a wonderful weekend with the day night. Tears
were shed in judging by the dis-
League and Cup double champions tak-
homes all over the play of rangers’
ing on Ireland in Jackie’s Testimonial
blue-half of Scot- players and fans on
Match
land and beyond Sunday, Such a bit-
And Craig belamy’s signature on a at the sight of Do you want a sausage to ter diet can only
long-term contract woud be a nice pre- what happened go with that drink mate? cause indigestion
sent for next season. ands heartache.
Anything less might be a disappoint-

Fly The Flag

ment. Hail-Hail..!!
Slan agus Tiocfaidh Ar La.
Holloway Gael.
The TAL Interview - Underground CSC
1/ Where, when & why did the club seasons double. Unless that cash injection cost them £180 in taxi fares to get to the
start? comes very soon then the chance to provide Stadio delle Alpi..!! Another memorable
A/ The club was formed in the summer of strength in depth will have passed us by & event was the game in Basle when one of
2001 on the back of the treble winning the blame, rightly so, will be laid at the di- our members followed the pipe band on to
season. Following a mass meeting of RMT rectors’ door. the pitch at half time & proceeded to march
Union Reps to discuss industrial action behind them with a Bobby Sands scarf held
against the privatisation plans of London high above his head, well not that high as
Underground Limited (LUL), a number of he's only wee..!!
us retired to a local bar. Many of us present There was also an attempt at piracy on the
were either Irish or Scottish & the talk soon high seas of the Danube when we went to
turned to the Celtic. Budapest & it will remain a mystery to all
Although we were all in different CSC's in as to whether one of our members, heavily
the South East we felt there was sufficient disguised in a balaclava (no sign of an
numbers & interest to set up a CSC of our AK47 anywhere) took part in a 'live stage-
own. The inaugural meeting was held a few show' in Prague after the game in Teplice.
weeks later & the Underground Celtic Sup-
porters Club (UCSC) was born. 7/ Are you the same London Under-
ground workers that the press talk about
2/ a) is it solely for Underground staff? as 'holding London to ransom' with
b) Do Underground staff make up the strike action?
majority of its members? We were also extremely angry that Brian A/ All those within the CSC who work for
A/ The majority of members are Under- Quinn in the recent Panorama programme LUL are either RMT Representatives, activ-
ground employees but this is not a prerequi- did little or nothing to defend the reputation ists or members. We strongly believe in
site of membership. Roughly three quarters of the Celtic support when the agenda was campaigning on the issues that affect em-
of the members work on London Under- clearly to portray us as one side of the same ployees whether they be privatisation, pay
ground, the rest are either friends or relatedbigoted coin. Much like Fergus McCann's & conditions or pensions etc. If negotiations
to Underground staff. Bhoys Against Bigotry initiative from a few fail to provide us with an acceptable resolu-
years back an opportunity existed to set the tion & we are left with no other option than
3/ What is the make up of the club? (i.e. record straight & deal with the real issues to call for strike action then so be it. The
men, women, children, race etc) here. Such as the fact that it is Celtic fans only other organisation that can bring the
A/ We are quite proud of the fact that who are far more likely to be the victim of same level of chaos to the capital as we do
women make up about 10% of our member- murderous sectarian attacks than the perpe- are currently on ceasefire..!!
ship which tends to tie in with the statistic trators. Just ask the families of Mark Scott,
that Celtic FC has the highest percentage of or Thomas McFadden. As a result 8/ What do you think of Ken Living-
female season book holders of any club in of Quinn's naivety, if that's what it was, the stone?
England or Scotland. Most of our members opportunity was squandered. The board is A/ Many of us would have been supportive
are either Irish or Scots but as the Celtic not representative of the support & that can of Ken in days gone by, after all he was one
family is a broad church & London an eth- only change when working class supporters of the few people in English Politics during
nically diverse city it is worth pointing out are given a chance to express our views at the eighties who was prepared to share a
that we have members from many parts of that level. Don't hold your breath..!! platform with Sinn Fein at that particular
the world including: Iran, Catalonia, Ja- time. It is difficult to believe the current
maica, Turkey, New Zealand & Port Tal- 5/ How often do you get up to Celtic Mayor of London is that same man.
bot..!! We even have a sizable contingent Park. Firstly he committed the ultimate betrayal
from a desolate, barren & almost uninhabit- A/ It’s probably fair to say that we have of the working class by going back to La-
able wasteland known to most of us as Dun- been represented at most games at Paradise bour despite winning his first term as
dee..!! this season. Most of our organised trips are Mayor by standing as an independent
to Europe although sadly that was some- against the Labour candidate. Secondly dur-
4/ What do you think about the direction thing that was greatly missed in the second ing industrial action taken by the RMT he
of Celtic FC/PLC on & off the park..?? half of this season. betrayed us by urging our members to cross
A/ Like many supporters we are far from their own picket lines, even though he is
happy with the way the club is run at Board 6/ What has been your most memorable previously being on record as saying he
level. Obviously our main bone of conten- trips & matches..?? supported the right of workers to take in-
tion is the lack of investment in the first A/ There are quite a few actually. Our first dustrial action.
team. We are continually told that the trip as a CSC to Amsterdam for the Cham- This was an appalling act of hypocrisy
money simply isn't available to sustain the pions League qualifier against Ajax was a when you consider the extraordinary
sort of spending that we the fans feel is re- special one & not just because of the re- lengths that Bob Crow, General Secretary
quired for the manager to build on the suc- sult..!! Seville was another great occasion & of the RMT went to, to get him re-elected.
cess that has been achieved to date. This is would probably feature quite highly in most Not only did he write to the entire member-
difficult to accept when you consider the people’s recollections, the club took about ship in the region urging them to vote for
revenue generated from our involvement in 24 members to that particular game & most Livingstone as Mayor but he also vetoed
European competition over the last three were fortunate enough to have tickets. The strike action which had been due to begin
years. There is no question that the team is visit to Turin remains fixed in the minds of on the morning of the election in order to
in need of improvement & major invest- those who travelled for the simple reason maximise Livingstone's vote. It would be an
ment should have come on the back of last that their flight was diverted to Genoa & it accurate to say that we hold the newts he
supposedly keeps as pets in higher regard ment to the cause. We are honoured that McGuinness & Gerry Adams.
than the man himself. they agreed to become members of the
UCSC. 14/ There is a malicious rumour doing
9/ What about politics, are you a mixed the rounds that your club’s nickname is
bunch or is there any brand of politics 12/ What are your hopes for the future of the Thespian Lions because you can get
that most members agree on..?? the team & the club? more members to an art gallery or a
A/ The membership would be united in its A/ As was pointed out earlier we would theatre than you can to Celtic Park for
belief that the working class needs to be hope that the board would release to the games, any truth in this rumour?
properly represented although party alle- manager what we would believe to be a re- A/ The Underground CSC is unashamedly
giances might vary. However there is a alistic amount of money to invest as he sees overt in its appreciation of the arts & be-
common bond of opposition to all things fit. The team’s achievements since O'Neill lieve that they should not be the sole pre-
'New Labour'. Come the local & general came in have been staggering when taking serve of the chattering classes. We are
elections this year many of our members into account how little financial support he happy to state that we know our Bach from
will be campaigning on behalf of the Inde- has received from the directors. If this does- our back four, our Andy Thoms from our
pendent Working Class Association n't happen it will be only a matter of time Andy Warhols & our Venus de Milos from
(IWCA). Already numerous fund raising before the manager decides to take his ser- our Paolo Di Canios. (For all you philistines
initiatives are underway in order to finance vices to a club who are willing to match his out there she's the one with no arms, he's
the political campaign. Last year this in- ambitions. the one with the straight arm..!!)
volved, among other things, a sponsored In terms of the club overall the aspiration Seriously though we believe this rumour
walk in the footsteps of the International has to be to play in an environment which came about due to the fact that we recently
Brigade across the Pyrenees which a num- will enable us to realise our obvious poten- took 18 members to see Danny Morrison's
ber of club members took part in. tial. The English Premiership is the logical play '˜The Wrong Man' which is currently
On the question of Ireland again the major- place for that to happen but despite Dermot being performed in London. I don't know if
ity of members would be very much pro Desmond's assurances that this will come there are any plans to take this production
Good Friday Agreement (GFA) with the about we have yet to see credible evidence on tour but if you get a chance, go see it, its
exception of maybe a couple of dissident or even hope that it will be the case. excellent. Now get off our backs..!!
voices..!!
15/ Finally what does the future hold
10/ Is your club committed to anti- for the Underground CSC..??
racism & anti-fascism..?? A/ Well at present our membership stands
A/ Given the political nature of the club at approximately 60, we have 6 season
these are issues that we feel very strongly books in the club & many of our members
about & we are opposed to all forms of are registered in the World Huddle Club
fascism & racism. There are also quite a Select scheme. These are all figures we
few people within our ranks who over the would be hopeful of increasing come sea-
years have been very actively involved in son 2005/06. There are also plans afoot to
militant Anti Fascist Action. These are construct a new club website & hopefully
also issues that we often have to contend our hugely popular newsletter 'Green-
with in our roles as Trade Union Reps & pages' will be back in production very
activists. We continue to confront fascism soon. If you would like more information
& racism at every opportunity whether it be 13/ What are your political hopes for the about us or are interested in joining the club
on the streets in the workplace or as has future..?? we can be contacted on 07956 079 012 this
been the case of late, in the political arena. A/ a) The RMT members among us will be is an official club contact number.
advocating a return to national ownership of The club has also been instrumental in the
11/ We hear that you have a couple of not just London Underground but all those formation of The Association of London
famous (or infamous) honorary members other networks & train operating companies Celtic Supporters Clubs (TALCSC) and our
in your club, would you like to enlighten that have been privatised over the years. To secretary has been elected to the committee
us about them..?? this end there is a major national march in of that organisation. The Association will
A/ The former 'right honourable' member support of the 'Rail Against Privatisa- be aiming to give a strong voice to & play a
for Kelvinside George Galloway was an tion' (RAP) campaign which starts in Glas- major role in representing Celtic supporters
honorary member of our club for one sea- gow on April 16th & finishes in London On in London & the South East. To date most
son, 2002/03. This came about when he was April 30th. There will be rallies, meetings of the CSC's in London have affiliated.
an invited speaker at a 'political school' & events in towns around Britain which More info can be had by contacting us via
which had been organised by our RMT Re- feature along the route. the web address which is www.talcsc.com
gional Council. We presented him with one b) The IWCA contingent in the Under-
of our club badges which he could be seen ground CSC will be hoping to raise the pro- Finally, on behalf of the Underground CSC
wearing on numerous national news pro- file of the party yet further in all the con- I would just like to say how sorry we are
grammes that week when speaking on his stituencies where it intends to field candi- that this particular issue of TAL is to be the
opposition to the Iraq war & his libel case dates & to build on the success of Lorna last & how grateful we are for the role it has
against the Daily Telegraph. He also came Reid's impressive showing in last years played in the 13 years since its inception. It
up trumps with a couple of VIP tickets Mayoral election race here in London & the has without doubt been a political inspira-
(including a free bar, Cheers George..!!) for election of three councillors. tion for many & is responsible for politicis-
the game at Anfield that season. Our honor- c) In Ireland we demand an end to the de- ing a whole new generation of Celtic sup-
ary members now are two long standing monisation of Sinn Fein & the full imple- porters, not just in an Irish Republican
members of the Republican movement, one mentation of the GFA with immediate af- sense but also in an anti-racist & anti-fascist
of whom is on release under the terms of fect. We would hope to see the continued context. Let this be a tribute to its effective-
the GFA & has travelled to a number of rise in Sinn Fein's political mandate & that ness & testament to its credibility, Slan
European fixtures with us, and the other others will join the list of elected MP's agus go raibh mile maith agat.
who remains imprisoned for his commit- Michele Gildernew, Pat Doherty, Martin
One never dies so long as something of you remains here...
burg to Glasgow for a weekend in Au-
Auf Wiedersehen TAL tumn 1996. TAL organised the private Slán from Gary Og
sleeping places, a football match in It's a shame that the magazine has
One never dies so long as something Sighthill between St Pauli and Celtic
of you remains here, come to an end as it was one of the few
supporters, concerts in Govan and at publications that was unafraid to call it
And it has a place in my heart, al- the Cladda Club - and we went to the as it seen it, and whether or not I al-
ways! stadium for the Motherwell Game. At ways agreed with every article is irrele-
the European Cup Games you always vant, but I did respect the stance of the
What a sad moment, to write an article knew, that where TAL is, is where the
for the last issue of TAL. Especially for craic is. With the TAL supporters you magazine.
me and most of the long-term Celtic & I hope that the recent gig in Govan will
can enjoy the atmosphere and know not be the last TAL function because
St. Pauli Supporters. TAL is the reason that the right-wing assholes from the
why I am a Celtic Supporter and regular opponents would be kicked off the bars, this too would be unfortunate, as there
guest at the European Cup Away are now very few organisations, or indi-
streets and grounds. Is this really all viduals for that matter, that are willing to
games anywhere in Europe or some over now ?!
Home Games in Glasgow. I can´t sup- publicly take the stance that TAL did. A
port a team like Manchester United or A very big and important piece of Celtic Glasgow bereft of TAL entertainment,
Borussia Dortmund which is just foot- will be missing. First the jungle , then would be a culturally diminished Glas-
ball, success and a big, famous team. the republican songs, now TAL! Com- gow in my opinion.
The Supporters is the main and only mercialisation, Yuppiefication of our Throughout the past few years I have
reason to support a football club. And a sport, the growth of the businessman always enjoyed a friendly and produc-
part of the supporters of Celtic FC are and trendy liberal supporter is rife in tive relationship with TAL. It saddened
unique and special. The people Scottish football at the present time, not me considerably that I was not able to
(editors, writers, sellers and also buy- only at Celtic but it’s there that it hurts make the last TAL Night (if that was in-
ers) of TAL are the difference. You are most. A lot of Celtic Supporters have deed the last one). I hope it was a
political. As we, the Supporters of FC learnt from TAL, but now who is going great night for all in attendance.
St. Pauli, you are strongly anti-fascist, to teach them? Who is teaching all the I wanted to let you know that I respect
and against xenophobia or discrimina- young Celtic Supporters ? Teaching your decision with regards to the maga-
tion of any kind. TAL is open minded, it them the true origins of Celtic and why zine. Celtic Park is becoming an ever
has a focus on political topics from the it has become such a big club? 70.000 increasingly hostile place towards Re-
32 counties, to the Basque Country or Celtic Supporters in Seville were not publicans, indeed Glasgow in general
Palestine. You are the ‚punkrockers’ of there only because of the big suc- is. It is a time like this, when we all
Celtic Park and also the ‚punkrockers’ cesses in football in the last years, they must come together in unity to further
of football on the isle. This is why I liked were there because of where Celtic FC the struggle that is ahead of us. Far too
you and why I too became a supporter comes from. often in the past, we have been held
of Celtic FC. back by individuals working to their own
But the people will be the same. The agendas, for their own ends, which has
In the beginning it was hard to learn friendship between the majority of Celtic prevented that forward progress that we
how to pronounce or write „Tiocfaidh ar and St. Pauli supporters will still be are now achieving. I believe you rightly
la“. I was always wondering ‚what are there. We will always unite around our point out that Cairde na hÉireann is the
they shouting?’ „Tschakki alla“??? Is games, our problems and our struggles. organisation that will best help us
this the hard Glaswegian accent ?! Are We will not be split by the ‚new genera- achieve that goal. It will not only fight
you all too drunk to speak or shout in tion’. for all the ideals we have fought for over
brilliant Oxford English ?!? ha ha! I I look forward to the new projects of the the years, but will inspire and educate
read the spelling of that phrase „ activists of TAL and I am still confident our youth. These are the next genera-
Tiocfaidh ar la“ and was pronouncing it that „our day will come!“. tion of fighters, politicians, poets and
like „tiukfeight ahrlah“. At the time I felt musicians, and CnhE is, in my humble
like an idiot, but now I will never forget it Good luck to all of you, anti-fascist opinion, the vehicle to drag them away
and what it stands for. greetings from Hamburg-St. Pauli to the
second best club of the world. from the urban myths of "we hate them,
Through the first issues of TAL which i they hate us" and forward to a place
bought in the Fanladen of St. HS – Sankt Pauli Anti-Fascist where we do create a "Scotland
Pauli i got more and more infor- of Equals" and a united 32
mations of the origins of Celtic county Ireland. This is what
and its supporters. I got inter- TAL stood for too, that is why I
ested in Irish politics and the respect TAL and indeed why I
struggle in the north. After that, I write this note to you.
bought books about the republi- Thanks for all the reviews and
can movement and made my interviews in the past, and in-
first visits to Belfast and Derry. deed for some very interesting,
TAL politicised me. But not only educational and humorous
that. Through TAL I found new reading!
friends - and got drunk a lot as Slán, Gary Og
well! The editor from TAL was
organising all the craic in Glas- NOTE: Thanks for the many similar
gow when we came over with a expressions of support and regret at
the passing of TAL that we’ve re-
double-decker bus from Ham-
ceived from our readers.
The recent jail sentences handed down
to two Celtic supporters and one Dun-
dee fan for disturbances in a Dundee
pub around a match between the two
sides that took place last year may have
raised some eyebrows among our sup-
porters. The ‘casual’ hooligan phe-
nomenon has long been one that Celtic
supporters have denied even exists
among our support, but the facts are
that Celtic does indeed have its own
quota of soccer casuals – and for more
than 20 years they have called them-
selves the Celtic Soccer Crew.
It’s not the job of this fanzine to defend,
condone, nor indeed to condemn the
Celtic Soccer Crew. We are realistic
enough to recognise that hooliganism in
one form or another is endemic to foot-
ball. To try to deny its existence is fu-
tile, to simply condemn it out of hand is
puerile, but to properly understand it
takes a bit more time and thought .
The Celtic Soccer Crew is a curious
phenomenon even in the word of foot-
ball hooligans. Firstly, they buck the
trend for right-wing and fascist politics
among most other hooligan mobs in
Scotland and England. Secondly, a size-
able proportion of them would even go
Rebels With A Cause?
Celtic Soccer Crew members demonstrate their political alle- street-fighting ac- want to read a blow-by-blow account of
giances with the Starry Plough, Palestinian & Basque flags. tions against the
as far as pinning their political colours
firmly to the mast of Irish republican-
ism and anti-fascism. Indeed, on any
republican or anti-racist march that has
taken pace in the last 15 years there has
always been a presence of Celtic Soccer
Crew members.
It would be wrong, however, to say that
all CSC members are left-wing by na-
ture. Many of them are republican
largely as a result of background and
instinct, while others are anti-racist by
political choice. A smaller but no less
significant number would probably
view themselves as being sympathetic
to the spirit of both causes but would
prefer there to be no obvious political
affiliations and see the existence of the
CSC as only about organising fights BNP and other fascist organisations.
with the hooligans that follow other So, love them or loathe them, it’s not
Scottish clubs. easy to pigeon-hole this particular
Inevitably, this attitude can mark them group of Celtic lads. In fact, they are
out from other fans and has meant a probably the most religiously integrated
great deal of scrutiny from the forces of bunch of Celts that you are likely to
law and order. Note-worthy encounters come across, with a number of them
in the last couple of seasons have been hailing from Protestant backgrounds.
with rangers, Hearts and Dundee Not only that, but they have also re-
(where arrests and jail sentences fol- jected the politics that might normally
lowed). Past battles have included be expected go with it in favour of re-
fights with hooligans of practically al publicanism and anti-fascism. Some-
the major clubs in what ironic for a group of hooligans
Scotland plus con- that started life in the mid-1980’s under
frontations with fans the name of the “Roman Catholic Casu-
of English sides like als”, a name that was dropped shortly
Blackburn, Totten- after it became apparent that they like
ham, West Ham, Bir- Celtic fans in general were a bit more
mingham and New- complex than the stereotype suggests.
castle. All of this an more will be revealed in a
Some CSC members forthcoming book currently being writ-
have also involved ten by one of the leading CSC members
themselves in the who has been active in the football hoo-
past with Anti- ligan scene for more than 20 years Hav-
Fascist Action and ing seen the first draft of the book, I
have taken part in would recommend it to all who truly
many of that group’s want to understand the hooligan phe-
nomenon, as well as to those who just
the adventures of a group of tearaways.

Jock Stein
the definitive biography
By Archie McPherson
One of my greatest regrets as a Celtic
supporter is I am too young to have
watched a game Stein managed or
played in never mind meeting the great-
est legend Celtic has ever produced.
This book is a great insight into what jock
achieved in football and also what his
day-to-day life was like too. Archie
McPherson spent a lot of time with jock
and it is clear from the book he consid-
ered him a friend and had loads of good scribes how fearless he was, is the story
experiences with him as well as some
bad.
“The definitive biography” aster to see
takes you through Jock’s time what he
growing up in Burnbank, the could do to
teams he signed for from his help and also
youth to his time at Celtic and attending
beyond. It also documents his some of the
time as a manager from when funerals
he first started off to his time which fol-
at Celtic and then onto his lowed. He
last day managing Scotland. also took
Obviously a big part of the time out to
book is the road to Lisbon sign autographs for people at the funer-
and all he achieved during als. It’s a shame rangers fans could not
the glory years at Parkhead. show jock the same respect in death and
There is also mention of the explains why he disliked rangers and
final against Feyenoord we what they and their fans stood for, the
lost which some fans have blatant sectarianism and religious bias
blacked out of their memory which has been and always will be a driv-
as it would taint all the good ing force at Ibrox. It simplifies the reason
achieved by the club back why in jocks and our minds we are better
then.
Archie also documents jocks
personal life and how he in-
teracted with players, fellow
managers and his circle of
friends. One interesting part
of the book is one that sur-
prised me but gives readers
an idea of how football in the west of
Scotland works. His best friend ignored
jock when he signed for Celtic and his
own father went out of his way not to in-
teract with him, his friend and father were
rangers men
and saw jocks
involvement
with Celtic as a
form of be-
trayal. Archie
also details
jocks relation-
ships with than them and always will be.
players, man-
agers and fans Jock Stein the man the myth and the leg-
alike. One end, unfortunately we may never see a
story which manager as good but we can at least say
sticks in my we had one of the best managers in the
mind and de- world. But then again we can live in hope
that Martin O’Neill produces more of the
where he wades into fans at a game to same glory days, with Seville and some of
remove offensive flags and also berates the European nights already having come
other fans for being sectarian. It also close to it.
documents his personal relationships The book is priced at 18.99 and can be pur-
with players including Billy McNeill, Ber- chased from www.highdownbooks.co.uk
tie Auld and Jimmy Johnstone and the
Celtic chairman and directors of By Greenock CSC
the time.
Following on from Talman's article
in the last edition of TÁL Fanzine
regarding the 'Big Jock Knew'
campaign initiated by rangers fans
the book includes the story of Jock
staying behind after the Ibrox dis-
Jimmy Johnstone
That’s his name…
Jimmy Johnstone
Lord of the Wing dvd
Following on from the stein review,
another of my great regrets is never
seeing Jimmy Johnstone play, which
my father rubs into me at every op-
portunity, he describes every moment
of Jinky's playing career as a joy as
you could never really tell what was
coming next. I particularly love the
part in his original video which shows
him getting kicked heavily by a de-
fender. Jinky's response is to collect
the ball at the free kick and run at the his foot-
same defender. balling
The dvd has loads of comments by days and
famous players managers and fans it’s a joy
alike. Special personal descriptions of to watch
Jinky from Brian Clough, Jack Charl- him in full
ton, Denis Law, Pat Crerand, Alex flow. Ye
Ferguson. Tommy Gemmell, John can’t help
Clark, Johann Cruyff and Alfredo Di s m i l e
Stefano to name a few. One of the when he
most touching descriptions of Jinky continu-
comes from Robert Duvall who de- o u s l y
scribes him as the best character he makes a
has ever met. Sandy Jardine also re- mug out
counts the now infamous Largs boat- of de-
ing incident fenders.
Man Utd showed interest in Jinky at Jinky is presently fighting motor neu-
15 but luckily Celtic got wind of this rone disease and spends a lot of his
and offered him a contract. He had time researching and searching for a
been at Celtic since the age of 9 cure. Too late for him unfortunately
mainly as a ball boy. but hopefully working towards a cure
will be another legacy of him to go
The main shock of the dvd is the well- along with his footballing skills. As he
documented fact Jinky only played confidently remarks its only incurable
for Scotland 23 times even although because there has been no cure
he was adjudged to be the best mid- found yet. He is also a regular at
fielder Scotland has ever seen. Maybe parkhead and always spends time to
this has something to do with 75% of sign autographs and talk to fans. As
Scotland fans at the time being rang- he says himself he is one of us its just
ers fans who subjected him to terrible he wasn’t too bad at football too.
abuse every time he played for Scot- Good luck Jinky and as my da con-
land. stantly remarks thanks for the memo-
Obviously the main part of the dvd is ries
taken up by media clipsof him during By Greenock CSC
 Lord French's convoy tak- town for the commemoration that was due to
Commemoration Reports ing him from the Ashtown
railway station to the
assemble at 2pm, the band had 14 flute’s 3
side drummers and 7 colour party a good
Vice-Regal Lodge in the sized band for the time of year we thought.
Phoenix Park. When the convoy appeared
Vol. Martin Savage minutes later, each Volunteer fulfilled
At Blackwaterstown we meet up with the
Mcilvenná family and found out were we
their role in the attack the ambushers
Commemoration thought he would be in the second car but
were on the procession the parade was lead
by a republican colour party then the family
The annual Vol. Martin Savage com- he was in the first and drove through their members with our self next with friends and
memoration took place in Dublin on blockade. comrades from Belfast, Armagh, Dundalk,
Saturday, 4th December 2004. The Vol. as well as locals from Armagh city and sur-
Joe McDonnell Sinn Fein Cumann or- As the second car careered off the road rounding area.
after its driver had been shot it became
ganized the event.
obvious that Lord French was not in fact We proceeded to go throw the town on to
one of the occupants. The occupants, part the spot were Sean was shot were we real-
About 200 Republicans gathered in of Lord French's guard, returned fire. As ised that we had a lot of RUC/PSNI whom
Castleknock village to pay their re- the firefight continued the third car arrived had been out on the streets for some time
spects to this young Volunteer who on the other side of the blockade it be- making there presence known for what ever
gave his life for the cause of Irish Free- came obvious that Lord French was not in reason I don’t know as no one had invited
fact one of the occupants. them along anyways.
dom in 1919.
At the memorial were Sean was shot there
The march was led by the newly formed The occupants, part of Lord French's guard, was the roll of honour read out with mla
Oglach Joe McDonnell Memorial Flute Band returned fire. As the firefight continued Connor Murphy saying a few word about
from Blanchardstown and was closely fol- the third car arrived on the other side of Sean with the wreaths being laid and the
lowed by Sinn Fein Vice President Pat Do- the cart and began firing with rifle and ma- band playing Sean song then the national
herty, Local Sinn Fein Councilor Felix Galla-chine-gun fire on the now exposed Volun- anthem and then we headed back into town
gher and members of the Vol. Joe McDon- teers. They were caught between two lines and onto our transport back to Armagh city
nell Sinn Fein Cumann who also had a large of fire. Dan Breen was shot in the leg as he for were there was a meal organised and a
banner on show. broke cover and seconds later Martin Sav- function afterwards in the Pearse Og’s club.
age fell mortally wounded by a bullet in At the function a close friend of Sean, Chris
Family members of the Savage family made the neck. Tom Kehoe and the wounded Dan was first to pay tribute to Sean and what
the long trip to Dublin for the occasion, as Breen succeeded in dragging Martin Sav- Sean was all about with some stories of past
did the Coen/Savage Sinn Fein Cumann age's body from the road while the firefight operations, close shaves with the security
from Sligo. continued. forces and how Sean was about his per-
sonal security and his family life Chris words
Cabra Sinn Fein also had a large attendance The British forces, including some left us in a mixed way from sad to laughter
at the commemoration and the Vols Smith/ wounded, began at this stage to withdraw to respect to honour for my self as a mem-
Hehir/Harford/Doherty/Bell Republican from the scene, leaving one dead and the ber of the band and representing Sean his
Flute Band also played at the event. Both unconscious DMP member behind them. family and the republican movement.
flute bands played a great part in the com- The IRA unit managed to disperse then to
safe houses in the Dublin area. Dan Breen Next was Sean wife pat Mcilvenná, pat
memoration and sounded excellent
was helped onto his bike by Paddy Daly spoke about Sean commitment to the repub-
who helped him to a safe house in Phibs- lican movement his dedication to his friends
Upon reaching the memorial monument at
boro' area, where he was attended to by and comrade in Armagh were Sean spent a
Ashtown gate speeches were made by Mary
the captain of the Dublin hurling team, Dr lot of his time, pat also thanked her friends
Lou McDonald MEP, Cllr Felix Gallagher and
J.M. Ryan. in Dundalk were after Sean death the family
the main oration was made by SF vice
lived until they moved back to Belfast.
president Pat Doherty MP. Three wreaths
were then laid by a member of the Savage The ambush saw Martin Savage aged just 21 Another close friend of Sean who has sadly
family, the Oglach Joe McDonnell MFB and and from Ballisodare, Co. Sligo pay the ulti- passed away was Harry McCartney, Sean
also one on behalf of the Republican Move- mate sacrifice for his country. was Harry’s OC when he joined the North
ment. Armagh brigade and with the respect he had

After the successful commemoration peo-
ple made their way to the Halfway House
pub were refreshments were made avail-
able.
The Ashtown Ambush
IRA Volunteer Martin Savage was killed
at an Ambush at Ashtown on the 19th of
December 1919. Savage and his unit of
10 other Volunteers which consisted of
Mick McDonnell, Tom Kehoe, Sean
Tracey, Seamus Robinson, Sean Hogan,
Paddy Daly (Leader), Vincent Byrne,
Tom Kilkoyne, Joe Leonard, and Dan
Breen had been planning to assassi-
nate the then British direct ruler and
the British Army’s supreme commander
in Ireland, Lord French.
The IRA had gathered intelligence that On Saturday we met at 11am at the local
there were three cars and an outrider in bar and got ready to head into blackwaters
Séan McIlvenna
20th Anniversary
Vol Sean Mcilvenná RFB 20th anniver-
sary commemoration Blackwaterstown. Next was our time to pay tribute and we did-
This was the 20th anniversary and the
6th time the band had been over to Ire-
land on parade or function and to say
this was important to the band the
Mcilvenná family and Armagh Sinn Fein
is an understatement... The band have released a DVD to mark the
The weekend started with the 2.45pm
boat from Stranraer ferry port to Belfast,
we arrived in Armagh city around the
back of 6pm and got settled in the local
bar to get our accommodation sorted
for the weekend.
for Sean he named his first son Sean og
after Sean Mcilvenná, harries son Sean og
presented Sean og Mcilvenná a bronze
statue of caecilian from the republican
movement on the night.
n’t let anyone down the as the band gave
one of our best performances iv experi-
enced as a member of the band over the
past 5 years and it was a great honour to
each in every member who represented the
band that night and am sure they will re-
member it for a long time to come,
20th anniversary of Sean death with parade,
marches demonstrations we have been in-
volved in the band hope to have this avail-
able to buy in early January 2005.
Volunteer Sean “Maxi” Mcilvenná
2nd battalion North Armagh Brigade IRA
Died 17th December 1984
By VSM RFB
Cairde na hÉireann
submission to have a crucial role in defining sectar-
the John Orr ian behaviour. So it is crucial we know
Review of how many are catholic and Irish to en-
Marches and sure it is not one community policing
Parades. We another.
O Paddy dear, and did you hear
believe it was important to set out our At the heart of this strategy is the
the news that’s going round? analysis of the issue of marches. The
The shamrock is forbid by law to contentious nature of some marches state’s determination to reduce our
grow on Irish ground; ethnicity to religion or football. While
does not occur in a vacuum but rather many in the Irish community are in-
St Patrick’s day no more we’ll takes place in a specific political con- deed Catholic and support Celtic the
keep, his colours can’t be seen, text. In our submission we made our Irish community, like any other, is di-
For there’s a bloody law agin the attitude to sectarianism crystal clear. verse. To talk about the problem in
wearing of the green. “Republicans are opposed to religious terms of football or religion suits only
intolerance of any description….. Our our political opponents .

And so it is in Scotland in 2005. St Pat- whole political project is built on the

Sectarianism and anti Irish racism ask
rick’s day is cancelled. Irish bars can- twin foundations of Equality and Jus-
fundamental questions about the na-
not fly Irish flags and cannot play Irish tice. These principles guide our actions
ture of Scottish society. It exposes the
music on the Jukebox. Football fans and as such religious intolerance is in- One Country Many Cultures initiative as
are told they can no longer sing the compatible with republicanism.” nothing more than an advertising cam-
Irish song’s their fathers sang. And of
Attempts to label Irish republicans as paign. More importantly it sends the
course if you do ‘wear the green’ you
sectarian are nothing new. Part of Brit- wrong signal to Scotland’s recent im-
are libel to have your throat cut at
ish strategy over the last thirty five migrant communities .
Bridgeton Cross or some other dark
years has been to portray itself as This problem can only be resolved
part of Jack McConnell’s New Scotland
peacemaker stuck in the middle of two through dialogue and mutual under-
.

This may seem a bleak picture to warring tribes. This rubbish has a clear standing. Republicans remain commit-
paint. However Scotland’s Irish com- political message to those on this is- ted to working with others to resolve
munity will recognise the country I de- land, it says this conflict is sectarian
this issue. The Irish community in this
scribe. It is the same country their an- therefore it is irrational and if it is ir-
country deserve nothing less. For cen-
cestors landed in at various points over rational we cannot solve it. This has
turies Irish people in Scotland have
the last two centuries. That these been discredited time after time and shown solidarity with the people of Ire-
deep rooted and let us say it, racist, Britain’s responsibility for the conflict land in their struggle for equality and
attitudes towards Scotland’s Irish com- exposed along with its old colonial
self-determination. We shall continue
munity have been sustained is a dis- trick of divide and rule. to do so. Attempts to demonise our
grace. But what is really shocking is
Labelling republicans, and indeed ex- culture or criminalise our politics will
that Scotland’s political establishment
pressions of Irishness, in Scotland as fail
.
has chosen to ignore it for generations
sectarian is offensive. It is also part of
.

To ignore the problem of anti Irish ra- a wider strategy by the state. Devolu-
When laws can stop the blades of
cism is to be part of that problem. It is tion has opened up many new vistas grass from growing as they grow,
in this context that republicans wel- for republicans and nationalists. The And when the leaves in summer
comed Jack McConnell’s commitment potential has never been greater for time their verdure dare now
to eradicate sectarianism. Any discus- new tactical alliances to be adopted to show,
sion on this issue is to be welcomed as put pressure on the state at it’s weak- Then I will change the colour that
it is our community who are the vic- est points. I wear in my caubeen,
tims of sectarianism. If Scotland wants But till that day, please god, I’ll
The Scottish Executives campaign
to eradicate sectarianism and be stick to the wearing of the green
against sectarianism is being used as
viewed as a forward looking, modern By Jim S.
political cover for sustained attacks on
and dynamic small nation which em-
the Irish community. Central to this
braces it’s cultural and ethnic diversity
has been a increased harassment and
it is going to have to address it’s rela-
intimidation of Irish people at ferry
tionship with it’s oldest and largest im-
and Airports. Police forces in Scotland
migrant community.
have a reputation for hostility towards
Over the past few months Cairde na the Irish community. In 1999 I wrote to
hEireann has engaged positively with the then Justice Minister, Jim Wallace
the various initiatives the Scottish Ex- asking him to endorse the Patten Re-
ecutive has put forward to deal with port on Policing in the North and in
this issue. Our position has been con- particular to publish figures outlining
sistent throughout and based on princi- how many police officers in Scotland
ple rather than short term political were catholic and how many were
gain. For republicans this is an issue of Irish. He refused.
equality. We will not accept being
The introduction of new legislation re-
treated as second class citizens any
garding sectarian offences make it all
longer. The time has come for Scotland
the more important that these figures
to recognise the contribution the Irish
are released. At a recent meeting with James Connolly Commemoration
community has made to this country Edinburgh
the current Justice Minister we out-
and to acknowledge our rights
lined again our desire to see transpar-
.
Saturday 4th June 2005
Republicans decided to make a written ency over this issue. Police officers Assemble King’s Stable Road
Pol MacAdaim - Making The Music Of Revolution
School that are the legitimate target of
Pol’s righteous anger.

Let our children go to school

You’ve broken every human rule
The world sees you for what you are
Bombing children won’t keep you in
power
Bigots scaring children’s what you
are

If We Don’t Help Them Now It’s a short song made all the sharper by
Pol’s invective and he pulls no punches
Pol MacAdaim – Reality Records when he attacks the loyalist protesters,
suggesting that it’s a bit of education they
Pol MacAdaim hails from Belfast and on could maybe do with themselves.
this showing his music can be favourably
compared with that of Christy Moore, Another blast of the pipes with Port na
Damian Dempsey and Terry ‘Cruncher’ Bpucai. The Uillean pipes are a kissing
O’Neill. cousin of the Scottish bagpipe, but for me
The CD kicks off with a couple of jigs ac- the musical texture and political context
companied by the Uillean pipes of Patrick of both is very different. Scottish bagpip-
Martin, then goes straight into political ers are only now beginning to innovate in
mode with the title track, “If We Don’t order to shake free of the militaristic asso-
Help Them Now” – a beautiful lament ciations of the genre, but the Uillean
dedicated the Turkish hunger strikers who pipes are largely free of imperialist bag-
Internationale
died in their dozens in their recent cam- gage and the sound and atmosphere that Pol MacAdaim – Reality Records
paign against the F-Block jails, a further they can create is truly nerve-tingling. On
criminalisation of their struggle, by the hearing the Scottish bagpipes I immedi- Internationale is Pol MacAdaim’s most
quasi-fascist regime of Turkey, a regime ately think of things like the Edinburgh recent recording. As the title suggests it’s
that is being welcomed into the European Military Tattoo or the Strathclyde Police very much a collection of old socialist
Community with open arms by the lead- Pipe Band trooping round Hampden standards and communist anthems with
ers of Britain and Germany. Park at half-time on Scottish Cup Final an
day playing ‘A Scottish Soldier’ – stereo-
Starving for human rights, typical images I know but I’ll wager that If you can stand to listen to the Red Flag
They won’t give up the fight, they are common to many Scots. The Uil- without conjuring up an image of Tony
Let them know neither will we, lean pipes, on the other hand, conjure up Blair, Gordon Brown and John Prescott
For as long as the fascists are in images of rolling hills, mountains, lakes with limp fists aloft at a British Labour
control there, and windswept moors. Don’t ask me why Party conference, then you’ll find as good
They’ll come closer to you and to these images should be so different but a version of it on this CD as you’re ever
me. for me it’s the depth of sound and con- likely to. It’s not the lame version that
trasting playing styles that make it so. you’d expect because Pol gives it an al-
It’s one of the finest political songs I’ve most rocky feel and of course he really
heard since the H-Block campaign and ‘I don’t know’ is very much an anti- does put his heart into it.
the Hunger Strikes in Ireland. It is mov- capitalist song attacking the dumping of
ing, but it’s more a call to arms than a nuclear waste, pollution of rivers, drug Such a Parcel o’ Rogues is Rabbie Burns’
simple statement of emotion. MacAdaim dealing and even manages to squeeze in lambaste of those who sold Scotland’s
urges his listeners to solidarity and action a wee dig at the long periods of impasse nationhood for English gold and royal
rather than to shed a tear over his lyrics. in the peace process. patronage. ‘Bought and sold for English
At the same time, it celebrates the strug- gold, such a parcel o’ rogues in a nation’.
gle of the hunger strikers’ families, many ‘The Rose of Armagh’ is a tribute to Rose- And still the selling of a nation goes on
of whom joined them on solidarity hun- mary Nelson, the human rights solicitor because Scotland’s Establishment is tied
ger strikes during the campaign. who was murdered by a car bomb hand and foot to Unionism and keeping
planted by loyalist assassins. “We know its own privileged place within the ranks
The Belfast Hornpipe lightens the mood why you did it, we know you’ll go to Hell, of the British ruling class. As long as we
and the traditional sounding ‘Well Below You murdered our sweet Rosemary for let them.
The Valley’ with its theme of sexual the truth that she did tell.”
abuse, which was used in the acclaimed Joe Hill is the old American trade union
film The Magdalene Sisters, prepares the This CD gets 10/10 from me… enjoyable favourite turned into a dirge by many a
ground for another lyrical assault on in- and thought-provoking from the first song ‘young socialist’. I’ve had the misfortune
justice. This time it’s the loyalist bigots to the last. to attend a few ‘socialist socials’ over the
who tried to prevent the little girls of Ar- years (yes, this editor has had one hell of
doyne from attending Holy Cross Primary Reviewed by Talman a life, I’ll tell ye – I wouldn’t wish it on my
own worst enemy… well, maybe) and
longed for the disco later when we young
yins would get to boogie and the woolly
jumper brigade would be consigned to a
campsite fire with their guitars, hopefully
taking the feckin ghost of Joe Hill with
them. My only real dislike on this CD but
it’s only because the song evoked memo-
ries I thought I’d long buried and not Pol
MacAdaim’s interpretation of it that
makes me hate it.
Sacco and Vanzetti is from the same
school of American syndicalism but
Woody Guthrie could write a good tune
all the same and this really s one of my
all-time favourites. The story of two Ital-
ian émigrés, anarchists and trade union
agitators, framed for robbery and murder
and executed by a state that needed their
deaths to send a warning to an emerging
radical trade union movement in the
USA. Two working class martyrs whose
memory and story is kept alive in this
song. America’s hidden history. Brilliant.
Christy Moore fans will already be aware
of the Lakes of Pontchartrain, a tale of a
young Irishman who fell for the charms of
a dark-skinned Creole girl…
Connolly Was There is not one that you’ll
hear at many republican events but per-
haps this is a song that we should adopt
as it gives voice to the socialism of James
Connolly, celebrating his fight against
capitalism and the legacy he has left to
the working class of all countries.
Also included is the wonderful If We
Don’t Help Them Now, Pol MacAdaim’s the band Neck. As such, it proves to be
own tribute to the Turkish hunger strikers a strong sophomore release.
that evokes memories of the Irish hunger
strikers’ struggle against tyranny.
Back in ’81 our very own sons
Did starve against such evil ways
Though it’s been 20 years, we still
shed our tears
For the suffering they went through
each day
The Internationale finishes off the CD.
Well, I suppose he had to include it as he
called the album after it… This song was
written to celebrate the workers rising and
establishment of the first commune in
Paris in 1871. It really is a great song that
has unfortunately become the anthem of
the Trotskyist movement worldwide, most
of whom wouldn’t know a worker if one
kicked them up the arse with his steel toe-
capped boots. But I’m starting to remem-
ber those ‘socialist summer camps’
again… and the nightmares…
Fair play to Pol MacAdaim for giving a
new slant to some old tunes. It didn’t all
work for me, but that’s largely down to
past political associations that I’d rather
not have visited again. But 85% of this
CD did hit the right spot with me (or was
that the ‘left’ spot). For his rendition of
Sacco and Vanzetti alone, it’s worth
spending money on, but there’s a whole
lot more to enjoy as well.
Reviewed by Talman Of the traditional tracks on the disc
Sod’em & Begorrah
The latest CD from Neck
Release Date - 16th May 2005
If the 6-song “Psycho Ceilidh” is con-
sidered an EP, and “Here’s Mud in
your Eye” is essentially the same as a
remixed “Necked,” than an argument
could be made that “Sod ‘em & Begor-
rah” is the second actual release from
See Shite
‘n Onions
As in all of their previous CDs, one of website
Neck’s strongest identifying characteris- for
tics is the arrangement. The band plays more...
in many layers; the solid, rock rhythm
section is sharply accented by the fid-
dle, banjo, and occasionally, the Uil-
leann pipes, providing an elaborate and
consistent backdrop for O’Keefe’s vo-
cals. Marie McCormack’s wandering
whistle completes Neck’s sound with its
continuous exploration of the melody.
The new CD maintains a level of rowdi-
ness just a notch or so above the
band’s usual approach with the electric
guitar occupying a more prominent role
in the majority of the songs than it has
in past releases. Although this obscures
the clarity of the vocals in some cases, it
provides the overall feel of the disc with
a fuller, edgier sound
“Sod ‘em…” does, however, contain a
few slower numbers, (“May the Road
Rise With You,” “Caoineadh/Blood on
the Streets,” and an Uilleann pipe-
infused “I’ll Take Me Back.”) These are
approached with a degree of emotion
that really draws out the passionate ca-
pacities of Leeson O’Keefe’s voice, and
makes these songs standouts on the
disc.
“The ‘Psycho-Ceilidh’ Mayhem Set” is
an eight and a half minute long set of
traditional jigs and reels that starts inno-
cently enough, but soon snowballs into
an intensity akin to that of riding a rol-
lercoaster holding an armful of cats! (As
soon as this track ended, I caught my
breath, and played it again! It’s that
good.)
Bean-counters should be pleased as the
disc clocks in at a hair shy of one full
hour from start to finish with no weak
“filler” tracks included.
As a second release, it clearly surpasses
the dreaded “Follow-up” stigma that
plagues many second discs. As a fourth
release, it continues to combine great
song-writing with excellent orchestra-
tion. However you count it, “Sod ‘em
and Begorrah” is a CD that you should
have.
http://www.neck-neck.freeserve.co.uk/
Reviewed
by: TBG
 Slievenamon
mend them highly enough for
this.

The cd has the old classics on it

as well as new songs recorded
If You Know The History with Slievenamon's inimitable style. Four
Leaf Clover and Celtic Celtic starts this cd
off and these songs never grow old, for the
Track Listing
young ones of us you're dads and grandas
will remind the halcyon days of the sixties
Four Leaf Clover, Celtic Celtic, Coronation
belting these songs out at Parkhead whilst
Cup, Roll Along/Jumping Out The Win-
taking on and beating all comers. Then it
daes, Glory Glory Glasgow Celtic, One
moves onto Coronation Cup a new tune
Two Kick, Hail Hail (the Celtic song), Wil-
about the winning of the Coronation Cup
lie Maley, Hampden In The Sun, Over And
and one which will get you laughing as you
Over, Johnny Thomson, Walk On
picture the old bitch and Philip talking
about this cup. Then onto Roll Along/
A few of you might have heard this album
Jumping Out Their Windaes, guaranteed to
and might already have copies of it, if you
have you laughing again and one which al-
haven’t, enjoy your free copy with this edi-
ways gets the fans up singing and dancing
tion of TAL. This CD was produced by the
along to it. Back to the classics with Glory
boys of Slievenamon, relatively new to the
Glory Glasgow Celtic, ok it may be better
scene but are beginning to make a name for
known as a song about another club and
themselves on the republican scene around
may have been stolen from another writer
Scotland and England and hopefully further
and changed a wee bit but can ye ever have
afield in the coming years..
too many tunes about Celtic legends and the
European Cup. Next up is One Two Kick
They have played in many venues big and
small and are slowly but surely receiving
more and more bookings and making more
about the infamous game involving Celtic
and Racing Club of Argentina, maybe a bit
Hammo R.I.P.
of fibbing here describing Tam Gemmell as
of a name for themselves. If you haven’t James “Hammo” Hamilton
a gentle giant but it gives you an idea of the
heard them already take this cd as a taster of New Ross, Co. Wexford
tongue in cheek humour involved in this
their talent and take yourself along to one of 1981 - 2005
soon to be classic. Straight onto their own
their gigs, you wont be disappointed.
version of Hail Hail, nothing needing said James passed away recently after a
about this song. Then back to the days of long battle against illness. He will be
Details of their gigs are posted on their
Willie Maley which has become a terracing sorely missed by everyone who knew
website which you can access by going to
chant over the last couple of seasons and ishim. James was a massive Celtic fan
www.geocities.com/slievenamon67. You
heard frequently at away games, they do the and a proud Republican. He was a
can also get a sample of their latest cd and
version without the ahem added extras be- great supporter of TAL and had a great
info on booking the band and buying their
tween verses. Then comes their version of affinity with Celtic supporters from all
latest cd titled Outlawed In Greenock. They
another old classic, Hampden In The Sun, over these islands, as he appreciated
have played with Charlie and the Bhoys at
great mellow version of it and proves the the longstanding support many of them
the Barras and also with the legendary
lyrics work just as well in a slow renditiongave to the Republican struggle over
Derek Warfield at the Port Glasgow Hibs
as an upbeat one. Then a great mellow ver- the years. But James' first love was Ire-
club. They play regularly at the Wig and
sion of Over And Over with the lead singers land and for the men who fought and
Pen in Paisley and have also been booked to
voice coming to the fore once again. Slow died in the struggle for freedom, espe-
play a gig in Dorset at the local Celtic sup-
song once again with Johnny Thomson re- cially the hunger strikers of 1981, and
porters club, which is a repeat booking as
minding us of what could have been and the others who went on hunger strike
they played there last year too.. They have
before them. Just before James en-
looking back at a tragic event in Celtics his-
also played in O’Shaunesseys in Stirling a
tory but also allowing us to remind John tered hospital, he was arranging a trip
few times. At all venues they have been re-
Thomson with pride. We finish off with for us to attend a commemoration for
ceived well and have received other book-
walk on, perfect choice to end on and one Michael Gaughan in Mayo.
ings from not only the venue managers but
everyone can join in with. To hear this songJames made sure he played his own
from other fans wanting them to play at
at Parkhead being sung by fifty thousand part in the struggle, and was a willing
their nights. They have also recently played
fellow celts is a very emotive time and I and committed worker for Sinn Fein
a gig in the Emerald Isle along with the
don’t know anyone who could say they during elections. He had no time for
VSMRFB and will be invited back at some
people who would sing IRA songs in a
don’t feel their heart strings being tugged at
point in the future.
this point. pub, but do nothing to help the Republi-
can movement. It was something we
And now onto the cd. This has been pro-
Well done with it lads I hope you get the often debated.
duced by the band themselves and they are
recognition you deserve and are with us for Also he could never come to terms with
offering it to every fan for free. The band
many years to come. A personal thank you the Free State Republicans whose
decided to give something back to the sup-
for reminding what it means to be part of commitments ended at the border.
porters of Celtic/republicanism in Scotland
our Celtic family. Giving the cd out free It is a tragedy that James left us at
Wales Ireland and England and also other
just sums up we aren’t always in it for the such a young age, when he had so
countries around the world. You can order
money, we are there because we love our much he wanted to give. But we'll re-
your cd free from their website for the cost
club and would do anything for it and our member the craic he gave us along the
of a first class stamp and envelope. This is a
fellow Celts.. way.
great gesture by the band and I cant com-
Reviewed By Greenock CSC Slan go foill mo cara—Tiocfaidh ar la.

Beating The Fascists
It is undeniably true that many Celtic sup-
porters proudly identify with the cause of
anti-fascism, and TAL fanzine has played a
key role in bringing this about. In this last
issue of TAL it is worth looking back at the
significant commitment that has been made
to the anti-fascist movement by Celtic sup-
porters in recent years. When TAL was
launched several of ‘the staff’ were already
involved with Anti-Fascist Action. Celtic
Fans Against Fascism stickers were adver-
tised in the magazine 14 years ago, and
helped win active support for the very ef-
fective AFA campaign against the BNP’s
major recruitment drive in Scotland in the
early 1990s. One of the highlights being the
cancellation of a BNP National Rally in
Glasgow in November 1991 after the venue
and participants were surrounded and at-
tacked.
Rather than just try to involve supporters in
the wider struggle against fas-
cism, anti-fascists at Celtic ad-
dressed issues closer to home
from the very outset. Writing in
the AFA magazine Fighting Talk,
the TAL editor wrote: “Only a few
years ago Celtic supporters regu-
larly racially abused the black
Rangers player, Mark Walters, in
his first few games against us. How-
ever the situation has now been com-
pletely reversed after the majority of
the supporters turned against the
mindless minority. It would be safe to
say that the racists amongst the sup-
port have been very quiet for the last couple
of seasons and those few individual wank-
ers who tried to get away with remarks and
abuse towards Rangers’ newest signing,
Basile Boli, were very quickly dealt with by
other supporters around them.” (FT, Issue
9, 1994)
While the anti-fascist message was enthusi-
astically embraced by many supporters, not
so the authorities. At the January 1995
game against Rangers at Ibrox the police
demanded the Celtic Fans Against Fascism
banner be taken down, on threat of arrest,
because it was “provocative”!
After 3 years work on the ground Celtic
Anti-Fascists was formally launched in Feb-
ruary ’95, and it wasn’t long before Celtic
fans were involved in a major anti-fascist
battle. In July that same year, at the pre-
season friendly against Birmingham City,
fascist hooligans from several clubs united
to attack the Celtic supporters. The Far
Right were inspired by their ‘success’ in
getting the Ireland vs England game aban-
doned in Dublin in February, and after ini-
anti-fascism as ‘thuggery’ ( a view very
close to the heart of much of the British
Left).
Tragically it was the murder of young
tial surprise the Celtic supporters fought Celtic supporter Mark Scott, and the subse-
back and clashes continued all day and into quent attempted murder of Irishman Sean
the evening with the fascists taking a heavy O’Connor, that led to Celtic Anti-Fascists’
beating. Such was the reputation Celtic was most effective campaign being launched in
getting for being solidly anti-fascist that 1998; the Campaign Against Sectarian At-
when Paris St Germain supporters came to tacks. While the club blamed the victims for
Glasgow in November (for a Cup Winners the attacks by Loyalist bigots, CASA
Cup game) any dubious looking French looked for real solutions; CASA put for-
fans pulled immediately replied “no, no, ward political arguments explaining the
I’m not fascist!”. links between fascism and Loyalism,
showed the attacks were racist attacks, criti-
From the outset there was a special relation- cised the lack of protection for supporters
ship between Celtic supporters and the large from the club and police, looked at ways of
anti-fascist following from the Hamburg improving transport to and from the ground,
club St Pauli. Celtic Anti-Fascists partici- and kept supporters informed of what was
pated in several European meetings and happening.
conferences, bringing AFA’s brand of mili-
tant anti-fascism to a new audience. Other At a public meeting in February 1998 a
international links soon followed, in par- CASA representative made the following
ticular Ajax, Breda, Bordeaux, Juventus point: “Look at any racist attack and com-
and Athletic Bilbao. pare it to these sectarian attacks and you
will see an undeniably similar method of
operation. The organisations which bene-
fit from racist attacks, whether random or
organised, are in the long run the fascists
of the NF and BNP. In Scotland, the di-
rect beneficiaries of sectarian attacks
are Loyalist organisations such as the
UVF, UDA and LVF. Increasingly how-
ever Loyalist and fascist organisations
have become increasingly indistin-
guishable from each other, having a
cross over of members, strategy and
tactics … Jason Campbell, the man
who murdered a 16 year old Celtic fan,
If any further evi- whilst probably not formally a member of
dence was needed of Celtic’s anti- any organisation on the Far Right, nonethe-
fascist credentials it soon came when Celtic less shared a common goal and method
played Hamburg SV in the UEFA cup with them. To terrorise and subjugate a mi-
(1996). Fascists from across northern Ger- nority community.”
many joined forces with Hamburg’s right
wing hooligans to attack the Celtic support- When representatives of the campaign at-
ers, and once again the anti-fascists tended The Equality Goal conference at
emerged the stronger. Celtic Park, in order to question Fergus
McCann about the club’s deathly silence on
At the same time that Celtic supporters the issue, on seeing them McCann became
were battling the fascists across Europe, the suddenly ill and left the meeting! Clearly
club launched its Bhoys Against Bigotry the prospect of a public challenge from peo-
initiative in 1996. While paying lip service ple who were serious about addressing the
to ‘anti-racism’ it’s primary aim was to re- issue of racist attacks was too much for
move the Irish heritage of the club and po- him. The fact that CASA was prepared to
lice Celtic’s own supporters. Another at- confront the issue at every level, from the
tempt to attack the genuinely radical ele- street to the boardroom, showed a level of
ment among the support was the Channel 4 commitment that those involved can be
documentary ‘Football, Faith and Flutes’ rightly proud of.
which attempted to show Celtic and Rang-
ers fans as being ‘as bad as each other’; no Celtic supporters have a proud record of
attempt to explain the reactionary nature of anti-fascism, and hopefully will remain in-
Loyalism, its links to the Far Right, and volved in the new battles that lie ahead, par-
how Celtic supporters opposed this for po- ticularly in the working class communities
litical, not ‘sectarian’, reasons. Celtic Anti- where the Far Right seek to gain political
Fascists led a very effective campaign to influence.
isolate the film crew from Celtic supporters
and so deny them the opportunity to portray By TERRY MITCHELL, AFA.
 Pastor Niemöller
Martin Niemöller was a Protestant pastor, one of the pillars of moral resis-
tance to the Nazis, who imprisoned him for four years in solitary confine-
ment.

In 1931 Niemöller became a pastor in Dahlem, a fashionable suburb of

Berlin. Two years later, as a protest against interference in church af-
fairs by the National Socialists (Nazi Party), Niemöller founded the Pas-
tors' Emergency League. The group, among its other activities, helped
combat rising discrimination against Christians of Jewish background.

Niemöller was influential in building opposition to Adolf Hitler's efforts

to bring the German churches under control of the Nazis and in 1937
was arrested by the Gestapo. Eventually sent to Sachsenhausen and
then to Dachau concentration camps, he was moved in 1945 to the Ti-
rol, where Allied forces freed him at the end of World War II.

The quotation with a life of its own...

'First they came for the
Communists, but I was not
a Communist, so I said
nothing. Then they came
for the Social Democrats,
but I was not a Social De-
mocrat, so I did nothing.
Then came the trade un-
ionists, but I was not a
trade unionist. And then
they came for the Jews,
but I was not a Jew, so I
did little. Then when they
came for me, there was no
one left to stand up for
me.'
Everybody loves to quote Pastor
Martin Niemöller’s lines about
moral failure in the face of the
Holocaust.
But interestingly, people use the
quotation to imply different mean- Life, "First they came for the Com- In Ed Murrow's famous 1945 broad-
ings – even altering it to suit their munists" - a circumstance acknowl- cast from Buchenwald the words
purpose. When Time magazine
used the quotation, they moved
the Jews to the first place and
dropped both the communists and for the Social Democrats, but I was From Pastor Niemöller website
the social democrats. Former
American Vice-President Al Gore
likes to quote the lines, but drops
the trade unionists for good meas-
ure. Gore and Time also added Ro-
man Catholics, who weren't on
Niemöller's list at all.
In the heavily Catholic city of Bos-
ton, Catholics were added to the
quotation inscribed on its Holo-
caust memorial. The US Holocaust
Museum drops the Communists but
not the Social Democrats; other
versions have added homosexuals.
Why history matters, DD Gutten- was hardly mentioned, partly be-
plan, The Guardian, Saturday
April 15, 2000:
‘The Nazis did not come first for camps liberated by British and
the Jews, as Peter Novick explains American troops including Dachau,
in his brilliant and provocative
book, The Holocaust in American
edged by Niemöller, who contin-
ued, "but I was not a Communist -
so I said nothing. Then they came
not a Social Democrat - so I did
nothing. Then came the trade un-
ionists, but I was not a trade union-
ist. And then they came for the
Jews, but I was not a Jew - so I did
little. Then when they came for
me, there was no one left who
could stand up for me." The Holo-
caust Museum in Washington DC is
just one of those who, in Novick's
phrase "prudently omits" Commu-
nists from Niemöller's homily.
But prudence and political calcula-
tion have influenced our knowledge
of the Holocaust from the begin-
ning...For a long time after the
war, the fate of European Jewry
cause, as the cartoonist Art
Spiegelman's father says in Maus,
his survivor's tale in cartoon for-
mat, "No one wants anyway to hear
such stories," and partly because in
Belsen and Buchenwald, only a mi-
nority of the prisoners were Jews.
Jew and Jewish are never spoken.
The Connolly Column
(This Review From the Irish Democrat) Many, like the Frank
Ryan, were IRA veter-
Ruan O'Donnell reviews The Connolly Col- ans of the War of Inde-
umn, The story of the Irishmen who fought pendence and Civil
for the Spanish Republic, 1936-1939 by War. Ryan gravitated
Michael O'Riordan towards the left wing
Republican Congress
LIBERTY HALL, the scene of heavy fight- in 1934 and the Inter-
ing during the 1916 Easter rising, was the national Brigades in
appropriate venue on 16 March for the 1936.
launch of the revised second edition of the
classic Connolly Column, The story of the Similarly, Kit Conway,
Irishmen who fought for the Spanish Re- killed in action at
public, 1936-1939. Jarama in February
1937, had fought Brit-
Michael O'Riordan's striking book first ap- ish soldiers in his na-
peared in 1979 when no Irish publisher was tive Tipperary before
prepared to handle the title. While hostility embracing several for-
regarding Ireland's 'premature anti-fascists' mer enemies as com-
had largely abated, the Corkman evidently rades in Spain.
struck a nerve with a positive account of
volunteers waging an armed campaign in Amazingly, Major
the teeth of opposition from the Dublin and George Nathan, sus-
London establishments. pected of involvement
in the murder of two
This explains in part why the first edition leading Limerick Sinn

In Green and Red

suppressed certain identities and suffered Fein members in March 1921, was eventu-
the ill-effects of proof copy exchanges with ally accepted as a bona fide volunteer after
a printer in the German Democratic Repub- an enquiry at Madrigueras. Nathan ac-
lic. knowledged his background in military in- The lives of Frank Ryan
telligence but reassured his accusers by as- By Adrian Hoar, Brandon Press £25
The new version, launched by broadcaster serting: "We are Socialists together now".
Cathal O'Shannon, retains the spirit of the He was killed near Madrid. Frank Ryan first came to my attention in the
original by republishing its original text. 1950s when, outside our local church after
However, the addition of fourteen new ap- Bill 'Liam' Tumilson, a Belfast socialist Mass, my father explained to me that a man
pendices comprising short articles, obituar- with Orange Order relatives, is one of many I had just spoken to and I was asking after
ies and book reviews brings much fresh in- northerners mentioned in Connolly Column. was 'Mack of the Lawn', who had fought
formation into play. Several contributions One anecdote concerning Tumilson re- with Frank Ryan in Spain. He also ex-
are the work of Manus O'Riordan, Head of counts how he and Falls Road man Jimmy plained that this was a complicated man
Research with SIPTU and an authority on Straney threw an obnoxious ex-Black and who was a communist that did not believe
the republican left of the 1930s. Tan into the River Lagan. in God and why this was so, how the Bish-
ops had backed the Blueshirts, our local fas-
Recent commentaries by the two In 1934 Tumilson and Straney carried the cists. This is one of the many learned and
O'Riordans are particularly interesting as banner of the Belfast branch of Republican half learned lessons that I am grateful for 50
the dual perspectives of the author, a highly Congress at Bodenstown. They died at the years on.
intelligent eye-witness, and that of the mod- Ebro and Jarama respectively. O'Riordan
ern researcher are jointly brought to bear on also commemorates Maurice Levitas, the Enough of my personal reminiscing, on to
the first generation of academic treatments Jewish Dubliner captured with Ryan in the task in hand reviewing In Green and
of the subject. March 1938 and maltreated in the San Red‚ the Lives of Frank Ryan. A very
Pedro de Cardena 'concentration camp'. pleasant task this turned out to be, as I
They contest such points as the re- Levitas was one of seven survivors hon- moved from well researched and well writ-
evaluation of Frank Ryan's career by oured by a civic reception in Dublin's Man- ten chapter after chapter.
Ferghal McGarry and Robert Straddling, sion House in February 1997, four years
not least the complicated relationship be- prior to his death. Frank Ryan was born in Elton, County Lim-
tween Ryan and alleged pro-fascist Sean erick, and was the seventh of nine children
Russell during World War Two. These is- Bob Doyle, who survived captivity with and the fifth son of Vere Ryan and his wife
sues resonate in modern Ireland, as evi- Levitas, attended the Liberty Hall event Ann, both schoolteachers. Young Francis
denced by the vandalism of Russell's monu- where he was reunited with the redoubtable Richard's upbringing was strict; his father
ment in Dublin in December 2004. Mick O'Riordan. The book, unlike many was a teetotal non-smoking schoolteacher
afforded the praise, really is essential read- orientated towards progressive ideas about
The primary focus of Connolly Column ing for students of the period education.
concerns the Irish communists, republicans
and anti-imperialists who fought in Spain, On 11 December 1936, Frank Ryan led "He enjoyed the reputation as an excellent
mostly within the British and Lincoln bat- 40 Socialist Republicans to Spain to teacher which was surpassed only by his
talions of the XV International Brigade af- fight Franco's fascists. renown for severity and unencumbered by
ter January 1937. any tolerance for what he considered to be
the flaws of his pupils or their parents; he ing, that of Irish independence. bility of National Organiser of Fianna Éire-
was remembered for years afterwards as a ann.
classroom tyrant. Pupils were beaten and With the signing of the truce in 1921 we
parents were harangued." find him recommencing his education in Then in 1934, an IRA convention was held
UCD where he became a prominent mem- which resulted in a split engineered by
Frank's early education was in his father's ber of the Gaelic League and the new IRA those who saw the Army as an organisation
school. In 1916, aged 14, he was sent to St officer Training Corp. Ryan opposed the that should remain non-political, who in-
Colman's College in Fermoy, where he was Treaty and returned to the East Limerick deed saw no problem in supporting Fianna
described as "a student of more than aver- Brigade of the IRA in 1922. He fought on Fáil's election efforts at the expense of anti-
age ability", despite acquiring "a rich and the side of the Republic until June 1923, treaty republicans and in contravention of
varied experience of flogging" for fighting, when he was wounded and interned in Hare Army orders. The split developed between
smoking and truancy. He became a frequent Park Camp, where he edited An the non-socialist and socialist republicans
escapee from St Colman's, but he was suffi- Giorrfhiodh, the voice of the prisoners. He after which Frank Ryan, Peadar O'Donnell
ciently in attendance to gain honours at Jun- was released in November 1923 and re- and George Gilmore (The Galtee Mountain
ior and Intermediate Grades, winning a First turned to his studies in UCD. Here he gave boy) founded the Republican Congress.
Class Prize in the latter, as well as coming the impression that the only thing that inter-
first in English and French in a class of 44 ested him was the language movement, In 1935 he was one of the driving forces in
students. spending his weekends in the company of the establishment of Co-Op Press and the
Gaeilgeoirí. During this time he was editor Liberty Press in order to overcome the in-
Frank then moved to Rockwell College near of the Gaelic League magazine An Réult. creasing force of state censorship, in order
Cashel, where young men were prepared for Also at this time we find him active in his to facilitate the publication of left-wing pe-
the priesthood. His time there was brief. secret role that of editor of the IRA's inter- riodicals and newspapers in Ireland.
Apparently expelled for leading a protest nal journal An t-Óglach. In 1925 he gradu-
against poor quality of food, it was the ated from UCD with a Honours BA in As the dark clouds of fascism rolled on to
Church's loss, Ireland's and history's gain. Celtic Studies. the horizons of Europe, the Italian dictator
He returned to St Coleman's where, in Benito Mussolini, with his new part-
senior grade in 1920 he passed his ma- ner Adolf Hitler in Germany, cast
triculation but with no distinction. around for a theatre in which to test
their military muscle for greater de-
Extracurricular activities were now tak- signs on the reins of power in
ing their toll; he was by then an active Europe. A would be fellow dictator
member of the local battalion of the IRA in the form of a disgruntled Spanish
in an active area. At this time, he was all general Francisco Franco attacked
things to all those who new him the democratically-elected govern-
"academic, a schoolboy Spartacus and ment of the Spanish Republic. The
valued sportsman, towering over his European powers on the democratic
classmates and brimming with vigour". side dithered and procrastinated;
indeed they became obstructive,
He was passionate for Gaelic Games and with sanctions and blockades against
played on the winning team for St Cole- the democratically-elected govern-
man's against North Monastery in the Junior Then in 1926 he became Adjutant of the ment in Madrid. Civil war raged on the Ibe-
Cup. A sociable, charismatic and contem- Dublin Brigade of the IRA at which time rian Peninsula, where no such delicate re-
plative youth, also a voracious reader, he we find him becoming involved in the Inter- quirements encumbered the fascist powers,
must have been a godsend to those who national aspect of his life, when he repre- as they flung their Condor Legions of land,
were fortunate enough to have the use of his sented the IRA at the Anti-Imperialist Con- sea and air against the Spanish People and
services. gress in Paris. In 1929, he became Editor of Government of the Spanish Republic.
the broadsheet An Phoblacht and was
In 1920, and 18 years of age, he was back elected to the Army Council. Frank Ryan emerged as the commander of
with his home Battalion of the IRA in East the Connolly Column (Irish section) of the
Limerick, possibly as a staff officer. We In the following year, we find him repre- Abraham Lincoln Brigade (International
find at this time emerging one of those fine senting the IRA at a Clan na Gael Conven- Brigade). This was a role that he was to
minds that emerged from a time of revolu- tion in the Hamden Theatre, Broadway, hold until March 1937, when he returned to
tion and war — an ideological, well bal- New York, as the main support from home Ireland briefly and founded the Irish De-
anced political mind capable of drawing for Joseph MacGarity, now engaged in a mocrat and helped re-launch a new edition
from the best of Irish republicanism, the deadly struggle to maintain American sup- of An Phoblacht. Later that year, Frank re-
socialism of James Connolly and the ana- port for the IRA in the face of an onslaught turned to Spain where, on 31 March 1938,
lytical romanticism of Pádraic Pearse. for funds from the emerging Fianna Fáil. he was captured by Italian fascists at Cal-
The bulk of his speech was directed against aceite. He was court-martialled 15 June
And yet at this time we find the first emer- "those renegades who hold Ireland for the 1938, when he was found guilty of alleged
gence of the many contradictions that was British Empire". war crimes and sentenced to death. For
to be Frank Ryan for the remainder of his some unbeknown reason, Frank Ryan was
life. His involvement in the suppression of In 1931, Frank was imprisoned for two not treated as most prisoners in this circum-
the factory soviet/strike in Knocklong, to months for publishing 'seditious' articles in stance. Instead of the local Olive Grove, the
some reflecting a weakness in his make up, An Phoblacht and in the same year received Firing Squad and Mass Grave, he was im-
though not to most of those who were to three months for contempt of court at his prisoned in Burgos Prison to await execu-
make contact with him then and over the trial on charges of IRA membership, of tion.
next 20 years. It reflected his ability to ana- which he was acquitted.
lyse and take the necessary pragmatic deci- This delay was to save Frank Ryan's life
sions for the cause he found himself serv- In 1933 he acquired the additional responsi- and to allow, for some reason, to this day
buried in the files of the Dublin's Iveagh I recognised the young Commissar of the had done three days before.
House, for de Valera to intercede with the Spanish Company. His hand bloody
Franco regime, perhaps at the request of where a bullet had grazed the palm, he And the valley resounded to their singing:
Vere Ryan, a now retired teacher living in was fumbling nevertheless with his auto-
de Valera's constituency of Clare. In Janu- matic, in turn threatening and pleading Then comrades, come rally,
ary 1940 he was informed that his sentence with his men. I got Manuel to calm him, And the last fight let us face,
had been commuted to 30 years penal servi- and to tell him we would rally everyone The Internationale
tude. in a moment. As I walked along the road Unites the human race.
to see how many men we
Then, on 14 July 1940,
had, I found myself decid- On we marched, back up the road,
his prison escape was
ing that we should go nearer and nearer to the front. Stragglers
effected by German In-
back up the line of the still in retreat down the slopes stopped in
telligence (The Abwehr)
who believed that his road to San Martín de la amazement, changed direction and ran to
IRA connections would Vega, and take the Moors join us; men lying exhausted on the road-
make him useful to the on their left flank. Groups side jumped up, cheered, and joined the
German war effort. were lying about on the ranks. I looked back. Beneath the forest
roadside, hungrily eating of upraised fists, what a strange band.
While in Germany, he oranges that had been Unshaven, unkempt; bloodstained, grimy.
met with fellow Irish thrown to them by a pass- But, full of fight again, and 'marching on
republicans Francis Stu- ing lorry. This was no the road back."
art and Seán Russell. time to sort them into
units. I noted with satis- The withdrawal of the International Bri-
Russell and Ryan at- faction that some had gades in September 1938 ended the period
tempted to return to Ire- brought down spare rifles. of service of the Irish anti-fascists in the
land by U-Boat but Rus- I found my eyes straying ranks of the Spanish People's Army. In De-
sell died of a perforated always to the hills we had cember they set out for home. They had, by
ulcer during the journey, vacated. I hitched a rifle their sacrifices, counteracted the Irish Fas-
at which time the mission was abandoned. to my shoulder. cist Blueshirts' contribution to Franco's
Ryan was returned to Germany, a virtual forces. The Irish fascists, led by Eoin
prisoner of Hitler's Reich. In January, 1943, They stumbled to their feet. No time for O'Duffy, had travelled to Spain, stayed for
Ryan suffered a stroke and died in Dresden six months, seen little or no combat and
barrack-square drill. One line of four. 'Fall
on 10 June 1944. He was buried in made military history by leaving for war
in behind us.' A few were still on the grass
Loschwitz and his remains were re-interred with 700 men and returning with 703.
in Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin, in 1979. bank beside the road, adjusting helmets
and rifles. 'Hurry up!' came the cry from
Of the 145 Irish Socialist Republican Vol-
This extract is from one of Ryan's works. I the ranks. Up the road towards the Cook- unteers who went to Spain, 63 laid down
include it to give a taste of the man that was House I saw Jock Cunningham assem- their lives fighting the forces of fascism.
Francis (Frank) Richard Ryan. bling another crowd. We hurried up,
joined forces. Together we two marched Salud y victoria!
The Book of the 15th Brigade at the head. Whatever popular writers
(1938). The Battle of Jarama may say, neither your Briton nor your This book one of the best researched and
Irishman is an exuberant type. Demon- notated works that I have found on this
"On the road from Chinchón to Madrid, strativeness is not his dominating trait. most complex of figures from the history of
the road along which we had marched to The crowd behind us was marching si- Irish republicanism in the first half of the
the attack three days before, were now lently. The thoughts in their minds could 20th Century. It's well written and should
scattered all who survived - a few hun- not be inspiring ones. I remembered a whet the appetite of those who take the
dred Britons, Irish and Spaniards. Dispir- trick of the old days when we were hold- bother to pick it up.
ited by heavy casualties, by defeat, by ing banned demonstrations. I jerked my
lack of food, worn out by three days of head back: 'Sing up, ye sons o'guns!' Reviewed by E. MacM & S. MacT
gruelling fighting, our men appeared to
have reached the end of their resistance. Quaveringly at
first, then more
Some were still straggling down the lustily, then in
slopes from what had been up to an hour one resounding
ago, the front line. And now, there was chant the song
no line, nothing between the Madrid road rose from the
and the Fascists but disorganised groups, ranks. Bent
of weary, war-wrecked men. After three heads straight-
days of terrific struggle, the superior num- ened; tired legs
bers, the superior armament of the Fas- thumped stur-
cists had routed them. All, as they came dily: what had
back, had similar stories to tell: of com- been a routed
rades dead, of conditions that were more r a b b l e
than flesh and blood could stand, of wea- marched to
riness they found hard to resist. battle again as
proudly as they
 But there are so many errors in the
book. Mary Lou McDonald and Bairbre
de Brún are described respectively as
our “Leinster” and “Ulster” EU candi-
dates. The Fermanagh-South Tyrone
MP’s name is spelled “Michele
Guildernew”. Dublin City Councillor
Larry O’Toole is confused with his col-
league Dessie Ellis. The date given for
the second Nice Treaty referendum is
several months off. None of these,
maybe, are serious mistakes, but they
are nevertheless inexplicable and should
have been caught by her editor.
And there are some mistakes which I
would describe as fairly serious. The au-
thor writes that the IRA were removed
from the US State Department’s
“Terrorist List” when the ceasefires be-
gan and then put back on it after the
breakdown; in fact, the list was created
in 1997 and the IRA have never ap-
peared on it. Labour are said to have
abstained from the Sinn Féin TDs’ Bill to
New Sinn Féin enshrine neutrality in the Constitution -
they voted in favour. Gerry Adams is
Irish Republicanism in named as the person who revealed that
the Irish Government had promised to
the Twenty-First Century release the Castlerea Five; the identity of
the leak is actually unknown, but is more
By Agnes Maillot likely to have been someone opposed to
their release (such as members of the
Published by Routledge
Garda Síochána). And in the mistake
that personally annoys me the most, our
In contrast to most books about the re-
publican movement, which have tended policy on gay marriage is described as
to focus primarily on the military side of ambiguous based upon an outdated pol-
things, this one aims to assess Sinn Féin’s icy document and an interview with a gay
political struggle. Because it concentrates activist who happens to be a Labour
on the post-GFA era, there is room to go Party stooge. A quick search on our web-
into considerable depth, and the author site, or a conversation with the relevant
party spokespersons, could have told her
makes a genuine attempt at it. She
seems objective enough and her analyses that we not only support gay marriage
are reasonably fair. but have issued numerous statements and
tabled an amendment to Dáil legislation
saying so.
Astonishingly, the author is identified on
the back cover as a university lecturer
who specialises in the republican move-
ment. With those credentials, you’d ex-
pect something much more carefully re-
searched, and these errors are a serious
blow to her – and the book’s – credibility.
It’s still very readable and much of the
information is both accurate and well-
presented, but it will need significant edit-
ing for subsequent printings before I can
really recommend it. Review by DFG
This Is Serbia Calling: Rock
’n’ Roll Radio and Belgrade’s
Underground Resistance
by
Matthew
Collin
(Serpent's
Tail
Publishing)
For all that has
been written
about Slobo-
dan Milošević’s
wars against his
Balkan neighbours, so little attention has
been paid to the Serbian opposition that
few people seem to realise it even existed.
But it did, and Belgrade radio station B92
was to its forefront.
This Is Serbia Calling (which was also
published under the title Guerrilla Radio)
is a factual account of the station’s role in
that resistance. Through its combination
of news reporting that pushed the limits
of the regime’s tolerance of dissent with
musical programming which would have
been radical even by western standards,
B92 became essential listening for Bel-
graders who opposed the wars being
fought in their names.
Quite apart from its unique perspective
on the wars, This is Serbia Calling is well
worth a read for its anecdotes demon-
strating pop culture’s political potential.
When B92 is warned not to broadcast
information about the massive anti-war
demonstration outside its studios, the DJ
“complies” by playing the Clash’s White
Riot and Thin Lizzy’s The Boys Are Back
In Town, effectively conveying the news
to its young audience in a way that they
can understand, but that the regime’s
older politicians cannot. A visit to the
station by the KLF (then known as K
Foundation), in which Bill Drummond
and Jimmy Cauty burn one of the multi-
million dinar notes printed during Yugo-
slavia’s hyperinflation era as the DJ
screams in the background, results in the
release of a track which becomes an an-
them for Belgrade’s street protests. The by the Vatican in Rome, has always held
book quotes Drummond’s own amaze-
ment that what was, to him, just a throw- Land. Most people know this of course
away track could take on such immense
meaning for the Serbian resistance.
Valuable and fascinating reading for any- most people don't know that is even more
one interested in the Balkan Wars, pop
culture or youth activism in general. I
can’t recommend it highly enough.
Reviewed by DFG
The Catholic Church
and the Question of
Palestine
By Livia Rokach
Published by Saqi Books
Written by Livia Rokach who was
the daughter of Israel Rokach, Min-
ister of the Interior in the govern-
ment of Moshe Sharett (second
prime minister of Israel). Describing
herself as a writer of Palestinian ori-
gin, Livia worked as a journalist and
later went on to write ‘Israel’s Sa-
cred Terrorism’ which was based on
the diaries of Moshe Sharett. In
1984 she was found dead in Rome
and was presumed to have commit-
ted suicide.
The Catholic Church and the Question of
Palestine reads like a specialist book writ-
ten for the intellectual rather than the av-
erage reader. Perhaps this is why it has
never been a well-known book or even
reached the majority of people who have
connections with either the Church or
Palestine itself. However, despite the con- Palestine, but how different things could
tent being difficult to follow at times to- well be today were it not for that support.
gether with its limited print circulation, it
is well worth the read. Palestine has a The Vatican has a minimum set of de-
Champion that most never knew existed! mands in return for any recognition of
Israel. Firstly, it wants to see an Interna-
The Roman Catholic Church, represented tional status for Jerusalem (something
that Yasser Arafat was keen to endorse)
a historical religious bond with the Holy and secondly, recognition for the rights of
the Palestinian people, including the 'right
and so it’s no wonder that the Vatican to return' policy. The fact that the Vatican
has always had an eye on the Israeli/ enjoys an official relationship & recogni-
Palestinian conflict. But, its probably what tion of the PLO does not sit well with Zi-
onist policy.
important to the land of Palestine and its
people.
In the introduction to this book, almost
casually, you will find the explosive state-
ment that not only most Palestinians are
unaware of but also most Catholics
equally wouldn't know. The opening line
is this: "The Vatican does not recog-
nise the state of Israel."
This statement alone has been enough
to condemn dozens of nations by the
International community. Almost the en-
tire Middle East, much of Northern &
Central Africa and various nations across
South East Asia have all endured the
stigma of refusing to recognise Israel as a
sovereign nation. As far back as 1897
when the first Zionist Congress met in
Basle Switzerland, the Vatican wrote to
In 2001 Pope John Paul II visited Yasser
Theodor Herzl (the father of modern Zi-
onism) stating that they could not support Arafat in Bethlehem and described the
their movement. The Church said that President as a charismatic leader who
they could not prevent the Jews from go-
ing to Jerusalem, but they would never
sanction it. In 1922 this was backed up
struggled to win independence for his
people. In 2003 he welcomed a delega-
tion of PLO Christians to the Vatican and
by a memorandum to the League of Na- in 2004 the Palestinian Prime Minister
tions. It is worth quoting: Ahmed Qurei. More recently, on the
death of Arafat, the Vatican issued a
"The Holy See is not opposed to statement saying: "The Holy See joined
Jews in Palestine having civil rights the pain of the Palestinian people for the
equal to those possessed by other passing of President Yasser Arafat. He
nationals & creeds. But it cannot was a leader of great charisma who loved
agree to Jews being given a privi- his people and tried to guide them to-
leged and preponderant position vis- wards national independence."
a-vis other sections of the popula-
The Vatican continues to use its position
tion."
within the International community on
The Vatican also saw the hypocrisy of the such issues as its support for UNRWA and
huge financial support offered to Israel its continual call for a peaceful solution to
(mainly from America) when third world the conflict.
nations such as those in Africa or South
This book tells the story of the relation-
& Central America were being continually
ship between the Vatican, Israel and Pal-
ignored. This attitude has not changed.
estine from the origins of modern Zionism
Not only does the Vatican refuse to rec-
to the politics of the mid eighties. There is
ognise Israel itself, but also according to
certainly no obvious bias towards any of
this book, it was the Vatican’s veto that
the subjects, which makes this not only a
prevented Israel from obtaining U.N rec-
neutral read, but a well-researched and
ognition for Jerusalem as its capital. Be-
deliberately impartial one.
cause of this, the American embassy re-
mains in Tel Aviv to this day. Most people
Reviewed by Da’oud
are unaware of the Vatican’s support of
Bad News From Israel
Bad News From Israel
Published by Pluto Press
The British are confused. They think the
Palestinians occupy Israel, think the In-
tifada is some kind of border dispute
and reckon they sustain about the same
number of casualties as their US-
funded adversaries. These are the find-
ings of Greg Philo and Mike Berry, of
Glasgow University Media Group, who
read “everything we could find” on the
conflict - to sift the emotive propaganda
from the accredited, independently
sourced material - kept running tabs on
television, radio and print news, and in-
terviewed scores of ordinary people, to
establish just how little we know, how
this affects our judgement, and why we
know so little in the first place. The re-
sult - Bad News From Israel - is a com-
pelling, deeply unsettling piece of work.
Dumb Britain? Perhaps. But only be-
cause our media makes us so.
Many British newspapers are complicit
in blocking the Palestinian viewpoint.
However, it’s TV news - from which
most people get their international
news - that is perhaps most disturbing.
Take for instance their treatment of Is-
raeli settlers. These settlers are invaria-
bly members of arch-Zionist groups
who believe it is their God-given right to
aggressively colonise land that is being
lived on and worked by Palestinians.
Aided by financial donations and the
blessing of successive governments
(who provide them with army cover),
is not allowed for in the rolling news
schedules. Much to the frustration of
journalists, and their viewers.
Another huge impediment is the has-
sle factor.
they settle swathes of good land, occu-
pying strategically important sites and “If you say anything that’s interpreted
taking control of water supplies. as being anti-Israel, you get so much
trouble, endless criticism, even hate-
Nor are they little pools of people; they mail.
control 41 per cent of the West Bank.
Yet TV news consistently reports set- “It acts as a real deterrent.”
tlers as being under constant attack.
Take the case of The Herald letters
One TV reporter even commented that
page. A recent editorial echoing the In-
a settlement looked “very vulnerable”
ternational Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling
up there on the hilltop! Any military
that Israel’s so-called security fence
strategist will tell you that occupying hill-
was unlawful was met with a chorus of
tops puts you at an advantage; in fact,
condemnation on Monday July 12. One
it’s all part of what Ariel Sharon calls the
letter-writer said the ICJ was biased be-
‘War of the Hilltops’.
cause it includes Arab judges, and
Nor is the comparison drawn between blamed the Palestinians’ poverty on the
the settlements, usually complete with “luxurious lifestyles” of their leaders. A
swimming pools and extensive farm- second said the editorial was “one-
land, and the Palestinian areas, offi- sided... full of errors, misinformation
cially the most densely populated on and emotional epithets.”
earth, where food, electricity, housing
These were doubtless only the tip of the
and water are in constant short supply.
iceberg and were followed by a single,
How could reporters be so misleading? small letter presenting a contrary view.
Are they just plain misinformed? Proba- Yet, and this came across clearly in the
bly. study, most people do not wholeheart-
edly support Israel; a fact that is woe-
Israel is much more adept at spreading fully unrepresented in the media.
its point of view than the Palestinians.
Not that the latter can be criticised for When John Pilger’s documentary - Pal-
this; one of the less widely known ele- estine Is Still The Issue - was shown on
ments of Israel’s military occupation is British television, it generated 4000 let-
that it hampers all journalistic access to ters and emails and he had to write a
Palestinians, severing communication 20,000 word defence of his programme.
links and imprisoning potential informa- Many of those complaints came from
tion sources within their own homes. the States, where the documentary
wasn’t even shown.”
Israelis not only get much more airtime,
there is a marked difference in presen- Few will pounce if you are blatantly anti-
tation. Israelis are interviewed in offices, Palestinian, because the Palestinians
sitting behind desks - which gives them do not have the equivalent of the pro-
a credible, authoritative look - Palestini- Israel lobby. The pro-Israel lobby exerts
ans are more likely to be interviewed in a constant pressure and Palestine
the street, with gunfire going off behind needs the equivalent.
them. A BBC lunchtime bulletin
The people who support Palestine need
(October 16, 2000) included an
to start writing letters to newspapers
‘interview’ with a Palestinian in the mid-
and phon-
dle of a protest march. “We want peace,
ing into ra-
every day we want peace but what we
dio pro-
can do now, they shooting the kids and
grammes.
the people. We want peace. We need it
more than them,” he shouted over the As the au-
racket. This segment was followed by a thors’ com-
longer, more in-depth interview with a ment: “The
former Israeli cabinet minister sitting in public has
a studio. Another issue is the lack of very
few
time. forums, but
if we don’t
TV editors like fast, sensational news,
use them
with two extremes shouting the odds at
s om eb o d y
each other. More measured reportage,
else will.”
with a fill-in on the history of the conflict,
In Memory Of The Ten