War over, repression continues
From Redline
by Philip Ferguson
The new political dispensation in the north of Ireland, we are told, means an end to the bad old days of discrimination against the catholic and nationalist population in jobs, housing and voting and the armed conflict that resulted from the discrimination. The “peace dividend” has, supposedly, also brought an end to the repression meted out by the British state to republican communities and republican activists. A number of recent cases of imprisonment, including several without charges or trials, suggest the reality is somewhat different.
Take the case of Newry political activist Stephen Murney. Stephen is the local spokesperson for the socialist-republican organisation éirígí. He has been to the fore in opposing, exposing and organising against the heavy policing i
n this working class, largely nationalist city. This, and the broader activities of eirigi in fighting for workers’ rights and against the continuing British presence and partition of Ireland, made Stephen a target for the cops. (As part of the new-look six counties the much-hated Royal Ulster Constabulary has been transformed into the Police Service of Northern Ireland.)
The new political dispensation in the north of Ireland, we are told, means an end to the bad old days of discrimination against the catholic and nationalist population in jobs, housing and voting and the armed conflict that resulted from the discrimination. The “peace dividend” has, supposedly, also brought an end to the repression meted out by the British state to republican communities and republican activists. A number of recent cases of imprisonment, including several without charges or trials, suggest the reality is somewhat different.
Take the case of Newry political activist Stephen Murney. Stephen is the local spokesperson for the socialist-republican organisation éirígí. He has been to the fore in opposing, exposing and organising against the heavy policing i
n this working class, largely nationalist city. This, and the broader activities of eirigi in fighting for workers’ rights and against the continuing British presence and partition of Ireland, made Stephen a target for the cops. (As part of the new-look six counties the much-hated Royal Ulster Constabulary has been transformed into the Police Service of Northern Ireland.)
