Léargas: A Podcast by Gerry Adams

Gerry Adams
  • 4.8 (33)
  • Politics
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Current Affairs, Politics, Irish Unity, History and Culture.

  1. 7h ago

    The Re-Conquest of Ireland | Gerry Kelly | No Place for Armed Groups

    The Re-Conquest of Ireland Well done Mayo in the all-Ireland football final. Commiserations to Kerry. Both teams played their hearts out but in the end Mayo were worthy winners. Next month on August 30 I will be in Ballina, Mayo for the 45th anniversary of the 10 hunger strikers who died during the 1981 hunger strike. The event will also remember the three Mayo Hunger Strikers, Jack McNeela (1940), Michael Gaughan (1974) and Frank Stagg, (1976). 22 Republican prisoners died on hunger strike in the 20th century.  Gerry Kelly My friend and comrade Gerry Kelly has announced his decision not to stand in the Assembly election next May. That does not mean that he will no longer be a republican activist. No chance of that. As I found out when I stepped back from electoral politics there is still a lot to do. And I am certain Gerry Kelly will also find that to be true. Gerry’s commitment to ending the union with Britain and building a new Ireland, based on equality and respect is well known. As is his courage and determination in the face of enormous challenges. He spent 15 years in prisons in Ireland, Britain and Europe and was 205 days on hunger strike. For 167 of those days he was force fed by having a tube inserted into his nose – “like a red-hot needle being pushed into one’s head”, he later wrote – and a wooden clamp jammed between his teeth to hold his jaws open while a feeding tube was fed down his throat. He was in solitary confinement in Mountjoy, Brixton, Wormwood Scrubs, Long Lartin, Maastricht, Amsterdam, the H-Blocks and Crumlin Road prisons. He attempted to escape several times and succeeded in the Great Escape from the H-Blocks of 1983 with 37 comrades. I have many fond memories of working with and socialising with Gerry, including on one occasion when he and I drove over to Lissadell House in County Sligo, childhood home of Countess Markievicz, to listen to Leonard Cohen sing. It was a beautiful summer evening in 2010. Leonard had an affection for Ireland and occasionally he sang “Kevin Barry”. Gerry is a wonderful dancer. In Lissadell Leonard started his set and after a time Gerry found a spot near the beer tent, where he was soon moved to go into the dancing repertoire he’d developed in solitary, listening to the music in his head. A crowd gathered around him. “Dance me to the end of love,” sang Leonard. “Dance me through the panic ‘til I’m gathered safely in.” Gerry moved more deeply into synchronicity with the song, fluid, absorbed, committed, his whole body in it in an expression of melodic wonderment. From the stage Leonard stopped mid-verse to salute him. I basked in the reflected glory of Gerry’s rhythmic perambulations. ‘I’m your man,’ I told him. As an elected official and negotiator Gerry has been a formidable representative for Sinn Fein and for the people of North Belfast. In the early 1990’s he and Martin McGuinness engaged in secret talks with the British. He was one of our negotiating team for the Good Friday Agreement and in many subsequent negotiations, most frequently on policing. Gerry is a very fine writer. I have an Australian friend who frequently tells me that Gerry’s book – The Escape: The Inside Story of the 1983 Escape from Long Kesh Prison – is the best book he’s read on the struggle. Gerry has also written a memoir and two books of poems.  So well done Gerry. You won’t get away that easy – but you know that!!! Go luck to you and Margaret and all your clann.  No Place for Armed Groups Last week an explosive device was discovered in a car in County Monaghan, apparently on its way North. Whoever was responsible for this irresponsible action is actively working against the significant opportunity that now exists to end partition. Public and political support for Irish unity is stronger now than at any time since partition was imposed over a century ago. The conversation on unity crosses all political and community sectors. Apart from Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin there is a growing consensus among the broad nationalist/left parties across the island that Irish Unity is a winnable objective and offers the best prospect for a better future for all of the people of our island.

  2. 4d ago

    Special Episode: In Conversation with Stiofán Ó Nualláin | Trademark

    Léargas: A Podcast by Gerry Adams

  3. Jul 23

    Andy Burnham | ‘Women’s Voices, Hopes for a New Ireland’ | Water Crisis in Gaza | Rubber Bullet injures Marwan Barghouti | Methodism and the Peace Process

    Andy Burnham As I conclude this column on Monday afternoon Andy Burnham is taking up his position as British Prime Minister. As I dispatch these lines he is addressing the media and supporters outside 10 Downing Street. I wish him well. I also hope he will be the last British Prime Minister to interfere in Irish affairs. Our ambition is for the people of Ireland to govern ourselves. As soon as possible. When that happens we will govern Ireland in the interests of Ireland. Mr Burnham, like every British PM governs in the interests of the English establishment. He like his predecessors is a Unionist. Let’s work to ensure that he is the Prime Minister who ends the Union. ‘Women’s Voices, Hopes for a New Ireland’ Féile an Phobail is the launch pad each year of exiting new projects, and especially new books. One such book this year is ‘Women’s Voices, Hopes for a New Ireland.’ The book is published by Sinn Féin’s Commission on the Future of Ireland and will launched at 1pm on 4th August in Áras Uí Chonghaile by Uachtarán Shinn Féin Mary Lou McDonald TD. The book is compiled and edited by Grace McDermott and Aoife Ferguson and is an innovative collection of contributions from 62 women across Ireland and the diaspora sharing their hopes for the future and a new Ireland. The women are drawn from all sections of society. They are writers, actors, musicians, community workers, political activists, health workers. They include Protestant voices. This book is a mixture of written contributions, poetry, song lyrics and artwork. They reflect the experiences of these women to partition and a society that has often held them down, treated them as second-class citizens and pushed them to the margins of history. The book is being launched at this years’ Féile an Phobail. The launch will be ion 4th August in Áras Uí Chonghaile on 4 August. You can register to attend here: Women's Voices- Hopes for a New Ireland Tickets, Tuesday, August 4  •  1 PM - 2 PM | Eventbrite It will also be launched at the Derry Féile on the 12 August in Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin, 37 Great James Street Derry BT48 7DF at 2pm and other events are being planned. It will be available from An Fhuiseog 55 Bóthar na bhFál, BT12 4PD, https://anfhuiseog.ie/ And https://sinnfeinbookshop.com/ Water Crisis in Gaza Imagine in the midst of this very hot, and dry weather you did not have access to fresh drinking water. Could not have a shower or bath. Wash clothes. Prepare food. Make tea or coffee whenever you want. Fill a water container for storage  in the fridge for a cold drink. Have a fridge? That is the reality of life for almost two million women and children and men living in the Gaza Strip. Israel’s genocidal policies has resulted in the deliberate and targeted destruction of water, sanitation and hygiene systems (in Gaza. It has created a humanitarian catastrophe. This is especially true for women who are pregnant or are menstruating. According to a recent Oxfam report, women cannot get the water they need to keep clean and hydrated. It reports that the extensive damage to water networks, treatment facilities, and sewage systems “has crushed water production, so it is a fraction of pre-October 2023 levels.” In addition, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has revealed that Gaza’s water production has dropped to less than a quarter of what it was three years ago and that 89% of water plants and sewage facilities “have been destroyed or partially damaged.” For a family in the west it’s a simple matter to turn the water tap on to access all you need. In Gaza average daily use of water per person has dropped from the minimum humanitarian standard of 15 litres per day to around three litres. Rubber Bullet injures Marwan Barghouti Regular readers will know that I have written recently on several occasions about the imprisonment and torture of Palestinian prisoner Marwan Barghouti. Marwan, now aged 67, has been held in Israeli prisons for 24 years after a widely criticised show trial in 2002. He is a senior leader in Fatah and is viewed by Palestinians as their Nelson Mandela. Over the years he has endured significant brutality but the most recent occurred in Ganot prison several weeks ago when a prison guard entered his cell and shot him in the leg with a rubber bullet. During the decades of conflict in the North rubber and plastic bullets were frequently used by the RUC and British Army. They were an attempt to terrorise citizens. Seventeen people were killed by rubber and plastic bullets. Eight of these were children and all but one was from nationalist areas. However, the Israeli rubber bullets are of a significantly different design to those used here. Israel’s rubber bullets are “steel covered with a thin rubber coat.” They cause more fatalities and life changing injuries. Marwan’s son Arab Barghouti, said the family only learned about the incident from his father's lawyer and that Barghouti had not received medical treatment for the injury. Two weeks ago the Arab League called for an international commission of inquiry into what it said were "repeated assaults" on Barghouti. So support freedom for Marwan Barghouti. Log on to https://freemarwan.org/ Methodism and the Peace Process ‘From Feakle to the Falls and Derry’s Wall - Methodism and the Peace Process, 1985-2025 by David Gallagher is an important book and a significant contribution to the discussion on peace-making in Ireland. David has been a member of the Methodist Church in Ireland’s Council on Social Responsibility since 1986. He was the Northern Executive’s Lay Secretary from 1990 to 2003. His book is a detailed and critical assessment of the role of Methodism and I’m still reading it. I have a firm belief that all of us have a story to tell. My personal focus has been on republicans and working class people telling our story but the truth is the right and the need to tell our own story belongs to everyone. And the Methodists have a story worth telling. So well done David Gallagher. David will be taking part in Féile an Phobail on 1pm on the 31st July in St. Mary’s University College on the Falls Road. The book is available at An Fhuiseog 55 Bóthar na bhFál, BT12 4PD, https://anfhuiseog.ie/

  4. Jul 16

    Another step in the right direction | Irish Republicanism & ‘The Gays’ Exhibition | Moore St. should be bought by the Government | The Glorious Twelfth. 

    Another step in the right direction The decision by Micheál Martin last week to oppose Sinn Féin’s “Planning for Constitutional Change Bill 2026” was no real surprise. His opposition to any meaningful planning for Irish Unity has been transparently obvious for many years. Despite Fine Gael spokespersons declaring that Fine Gael would not oppose the Sinn Féin Bill they then chose to support An Taoiseach. No surprise there. Simon Harris is Tánaiste to Micheál Martin’s Taoiseach. For Fine Gael to step away from a united government approach would have likely had serious repercussions for the coalition government. I spent the day in Leinster House on the day of the debate and it was clear from my conversations with some Fianna Fail TDs and the Sinn Féin team, who had spent significant time speaking to TDs from other parties and none, that there is a significant number of them deeply unhappy with ‘The Republican Party’ turning its face against a common sense Bill that would have advanced the discussion about the future. Irish Republicanism & ‘The Gays’ Exhibition Next Wednesday, 22 July, an important exhibition will open in Áras Uí Chonghaile in Belfast. It examines the relationship between Irish Republicanism and ‘The Gays’. For those of a certain age who remember in particular the hunger strikes of 1980 and 1981, the support of members of the gay community in Ireland in solidarity with the men on the Blanket Protest in the H-Blocks and the women in Armagh Prison, was evident at many of the demonstrations that took place. Their banners were always front and centre and were well received by the crowds in attendance. The exhibition records the fact that it was a gay republican prisoner writing in the H-Blocks in 1991 who pointed out that “gay men and lesbian women have been involved in the struggle for national liberation and independence as long as any other section of our people.” He was right. Moore St. should be bought by the Government Last week it was announced that the London developer Hammerson had sold the Carlton site on O’Connell Street to Transport Infrastructure Ireland. Hammerson is the company that owns part of the 1916 Moore St. Battlefield site and the Carlton site connects it to O’Connell St. Responding to the news James Connolly Heron of the Moore St. Preservation Trust pointed out that under the Hammerson plan the former Carlton site was to be the gateway to a shopping mall extending into Moore Lane and Moore Street. This was to include the demolition of part of the terrace, the last headquarters of the leaders of The 1916 Rising. We were told that this was essential for retail ‘footfall’. James Connolly Heron pointed out that: “The sale of the Carlton site renders The Glorious Twelfth.  Now that the Twelfth has come and gone it is long past the time for opinion makers within unionism to chart out a course to regulate the building of Twelfth bonfires so that they are safer, legal and community friendly. The Orange Parade in Rossnowlagh in Donegal should be an example to the ‘Loyal‘ Orders of what is possible.  Is anyone out there within the Orange or Unionist leaders up for that challenge?

  5. Jul 9

    Unionism and Unity | National Hunger Strike Commemoration for Mayo | ‘Our Chains will be Broken before we Are’ – Marwan Barghouti | A Thousand Days of Genocide

    Unionism and Unity This week significant developments that can shape the future direction of constitutional politics on this island are taking place in Leinster House. On Tuesday Sinn Féin’s Bill setting out a practical plan to achieve a united Ireland is up for discussion. Fine Gael is moving ahead with its plan for a blueprint for Irish Unity for November. And other parties, including the Social Democrats and Labour have expressed their support for Unity and notwithstanding Micheál Martin’s opposition, it is obvious that there are many within Fianna Fáil who understand that planning for Unity makes sense. National Hunger Strike Commemoration for Mayo Wednesday 8 July was the 45 anniversary of the death on hunger strike of Joe McDonnell. Joe was the fifth of the ten hunger strikers who were to die in 1981. Last week the 45th Anniversary National Hunger Strike Commemoration was officially launched in Mayo. The march and rally to honour those ten hunger strikers, and three Mayo hunger strikers Michael Gaughan (1974) and Frank Stagg (1976), and Jack McNeela (1940), will take place in Ballina on Sunday, 30 August. 'Our Chains will be Broken before we Are’ – Marwan Barghouti Marwan Barghouti is a Palestinian leader who has spent almost a quarter of a century in Israeli prisons. He is widely recognised as the single most important Palestinian leader, capable of uniting the various Palestinian groups and for that reason Israel holds him in appalling conditions and refuses to release him. For much of that time he has been held in solitary confinement, frequently beaten, denied medical care and contact with his family. A Thousand Days of Genocide In the way that the news cycle is constantly shifting from one headline story to another the genocide of the Palestinian people no longer catches the headlines in the way that it once did. The devastating earthquake in Venezuela; the US war against Iran; the war in Ukraine; oil prices; the internal machinations of the British Labour Party; and much else have all pushed Israel’s genocidal policy down the news agenda. However, as desperate as some of these other stories are we have a responsibility to constantly remind people that Israel’s torture of the people of Gaza and of the West Bank has been unrelenting for over 1000 days.

  6. Jul 2

    Momentum around Unity Grows | Sign the Petition for Moore St. | Tá fáilte romhaibh - Féile an Phobail Abú | Seomra Máire Drumm

    Momentum around Unity Grows I want to begin by commending the SDLP for organising last week’s conference – The Future of these Islands: Preparing for Change. It was a well-attended day-long event, held in Belfast, on the issue of Irish Unity. Among those who contributed to the series of discussions was Dublin Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan, former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Sinn Féin’s Conor Murphy and others, including leading figures in the SDLP like the party leader Claire Hanna. Add this to Fine Gael’s announcement that it is planning to publish a blueprint on Irish Unity at its Ard Fheis in November and next Tuesday’s Dáil debate on Sinn Féin’s legislative proposal - “Planning for Constitutional Change Bill 2026” – and it is clear that there is increasing unanimity in the Unity movement that planning for unity is now a priority. These are significant developments. Sinn Féin has long argued that the cause of Unity is bigger than any one party. It requires the greatest number of citizens, political parties, community and lobby organisations all moving together in the same broad direction and planning for unity.     Sign the Petition for Moore St. The 1916 Moore St. Battlefield site in the centre of Dublin is a hugely important historical and cultural location whose significance has been ignored by successive Irish governments for over a century. Currently much of the Moore St. Terrace and adjoining lanes are under threat of demolition by the London based developer Hammerson. The Moore St. Preservation Trust (MSPT), the Relatives of the 1916 Rising Relatives and others groups and individuals have been involved in a long running campaign to save this iconic site. Early next year the Moore St. Preservation Trust will be in court to judicially review the Hammerson Plan. This is a vital step to preserve this historic area and the Trust is engaged in a campaign to inform, lobby, and win support for its efforts. As part of its campaign the Trust has launched a petition calling on the Irish Government to bring Moore Street into public ownership and build a 1916 historical Cultural Quarter.  Sínigh an achainí | Sign the petition: https://www.change.org/p/save-moore-street-buy-the-terrace    Tá fáilte romhaibh - Féile an Phobail Abú I’m looking forward to 25 July when Féile an Phobail – begins its longest and biggest ever summer extravaganza as the largest community festival on the island of Ireland. The programme was launched last week and is an amazing mix of music, sport, gaeilge, arts exhibitions, literary events, discussions and debates, comedy, film, tours and walks and much more. Over 500 events with something for everyone. And an anticipated 120,000 tourists from outside of west Belfast coming along to join in the celebrations. The programme is available online through this link - https://feilebelfast.com/    Seomra Máire Drumm The conference room in the Sinn Féin Falls Office was dedicated last Friday to Sinn Former Vice –President Máire Drumm by the current Vice President of the party Michelle O’Neill. Máire was assassinated in the Mater Hospital in October 1976. She was a passionate, gifted and articulate advocate for Ireland and republicanism who frequently faced down armed British soldiers, and RUC officers. The image of Máire leading a river of women into the Falls in the summer of 1970 to break the British Army - imposed curfew, or her protests by women carrying hurling sticks, are iconic moments in the struggle for freedom.

  7. Jun 25

    The Unity Bill passes its First stage |Clodagh Good| The Arts in a New Ireland | Slán

    The Unity Bill passes its First stage The “Planning for Constitutional Change Bill 2026”, which I referenced in last week’s column, has passed its first hurdle in the Dáil. It will now go to second stage on 7 July and then on to the Committee stage before returning to the Dáil later in the year. The Bill sets clear goals and timetables for measures that have to be taken to properly plan and prepare for constitutional change on the island of Ireland. It does so in accordance with the provisions of the Good Friday Agreement. It requires the Taoiseach to prepare and publish a Green Paper within 12 months. This has to address issues as diverse as public finance, taxation, public services, human rights, governance arrangements and relations between Britain and Ireland. The Bill also obliges the Government to establish a Citizens’ Assembly on Irish unity within six months of the publication of the Green Paper. Convened and funded by the Department of An Taoiseach, this will bring together representatives of the people of Ireland from all communities and citizens who have a stake in the future. Clodagh Good Last Saturday I joined hundreds of people in Knock Methodist Church for a celebration of the life of Clodagh Good. The Church was filled to overflowing with political representatives from over the last four decades or so, of all political hues including Gerry Kelly, Jim Gibney and Richard McAuley. It was a beautiful, uplifting and inclusive event. As was befitting the woman we came to honour.  Clodagh Good, nee Coad, is the wife of Harold Good. Harold was a key figure in our peace process. He did extraordinary work, not least with Fr Alex Reid.  He was one of those from what is usually described as the Protestant tradition who went beyond the rhetoric and into the essence of that tradition to explore how it could be a catalyst for positive change. A catalyst for good.  The Methodists are like that. Especially Clodagh. She was from Waterford. As Irish as the day is long. With strong yet gentle religious beliefs which anchored her life. A woman of good humour with an unassuming practical good natured welcoming attitude to those of us lucky to enjoy her hospitality. She and Harold married sixty years ago. She left the tranquillity of Waterford to journey with him throughout Methodist institutions far and wide before making her home in the North. The Arts in a New Ireland The Sean O'Casey Community Centre is in East Wall, Dublin. It is an excellent local facility providing a range of amenities for the community, including a playschool and crèche, a sports hall and 7 a-side pitch, and facilities for senior citizens. It also has a wonderful theatre. Last Thursday Sinn Féin’s Commission on the Future of Ireland held a well-attended public discussion there on ‘The Arts in a New Ireland’. About 70 people participated in a thoughtful, informative and enjoyable conversation. Aengus O’Snodaigh TD welcomed everyone and spoke briefly about the many advantages and opportunities for the Arts community that Irish unity can bring Slán Finally, Keir Starmer announced his resignation on Monday. His support for Israel in its military actions against the people of Palestine and the Labour government’s disgraceful criminalising of those opposing the genocide, undoubtedly played a significant part in undermining his leadership.  Along with the electoral successes of Plaid Cymru and the Scottish National Party there is a changing political dynamic emerging within the British political system. It is an opportunity for those of us who believe in Irish Unity to grasp this moment. Keir Starmer did nothing for Ireland. His successor may not do any better. That is why, relying on our own strength, we must press on. Until we prevail and our people, all of us, decide our own future.

  8. Jun 18

    Stand-Up to Racism | Momentum Building Around Unity | Seeking the Truth: Pat Finucane

    Stand-Up to Racism The bullet holes from the August 1969 sectarian pogrom against the people of the Falls area are still visible on the front wall of St. Comgall’s Primary School, Divis Street. Last Thursday lunchtime, a few yards from where, on that occasion, whole terraces of houses were burned out, scores of community activists from across Belfast came together in Ionad Eileen Howell to discuss another pogrom. This time the pogrom was rooted in violent racism. In the days before families and workers from the various ethnic groups, who now make up an important and valued part of our society, were attacked, threatened, and some were forcibly evicted from their homes. In harrowing scenes cars and some homes were destroyed as masked thugs roamed the streets of parts of Belfast, Portadown and Glengormley attacking the PSNI and the homes of our neighbours. Terrified children fled with their parents. Health workers were especially targeted. There was a clear attempt to intimidate many from their jobs. In addition, schools were closed. People were sent home from work. Public transport stopped. The Community Groups at the meeting in Ionad Eileen Howell described how they had helped relocate evicted families, worked with Belfast City Council to ensure that emergency accommodation was available, established a co-ordination and response group and had activists on the streets to defuse any attempt by right wing elements to stoke up further attacks. From the GAA and individual citizens there was widespread opposition to the racism. First Minister Michelle O’Neill met community representatives, youth workers and ethnic minority communities. She visited health staff in the Mater Hospital who had been threatened. She expressed her unambiguous solidarity and support for them. Belfast Ard Mheara Councillor Róis Máire Donnelly, who received death threats for standing up to the racists, refused to be silent. Last Friday she addressed a local anti-racism rally and the next day she spoke to the thousands who attended the massive anti-racist demonstration at the City Hall. Róis Máire told the crowd that Belfast is “stronger” because of our diversity. And she described Belfast people as “resilient, compassionate and welcoming.” She is right on both counts. Diversity is a strength, not a weakness. And notwithstanding the naysayers and begrudgers Belfast is welcoming city that embraces our ethnic minority citizens.    Momentum Building Around Unity There are those who dismiss any possibility in the next few years of holding the unity referendums provided for in the Good Friday Agreement. Foremost among them is Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin who obstinately refuses to countenance any preparation for unity. However, his partner in Government, Fine Gael leader Simon Harris clearly doesn’t agree. At the weekend he announced that his party is planning to develop and publish a blueprint for a united Ireland by their Ard Fheis in November. That is good news.  Harris’s statement of intent coincides with Uachtarán Shinn Féin Mary Lou McDonald’s introduction this week in the Dáil of a Private Members Bill that will compel the Taoiseach to begin the planning and preparation for constitutional change and Irish Unity. The ‘Planning for Constitutional Change Bill 2026’ will require the Taoiseach to institutionalise preparation and publish a Green Paper. This will facilitate consultation and encourage a national public debate as a first step before formal government legislation is established. The Green Paper will require the government setting out its ideas, vision and proposals on the economy, education, health, justice and the legal system and future governance arrangements.    Seeking the Truth: Pat Finucane After 37 years the inquiry into the murder of human rights lawyer Pat Finucane has finally opened. Pat’s wife Geraldine, his children John, Michael and Katherine and his dedicated family circle and legal team are to be commended for their diligence and steadfastness in pursuing the truth about Pat’s murder. Successive British governments have lied, prevaricated, distracted, delayed and made every effort to prevent an inquiry from happening. Why? Because the extent of British state collusion with the UDA in his murder has the potential of laying responsibility for his death with senior political figures within the British Conservative government of Margaret Thatcher. That there was collusion in his murder and that of hundreds more, is not in doubt. But who was responsible? Who gave the orders? Who plotted and schemed to have Pat killed on 12 February 1989? Who knew what within the RUC; within RUC Special Branch; within MI5; the Force Reconnaissance Unit (FRU); British Army; and the British Cabinet?

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