(Number 3)
Seamus Costello House
392 Falls Road Belfast
BT76DH Ireland
Phone: 028-9032=1024
e-mail: bulletin@irsm.org
Date Friday June 13th 2008
IRSB
In this issue:
1) Coming Events for Republican Socialists
2) More Sectarian Attacks
3) Harassment by Irish Political Police
4) Did You Know?
5) Rights For new Mothers
6) Gay Pride
7) A Right Wing Dog’s Dinner
8) Working Class Communities Under Threat in Inner City Belfast
9) Say No to Interface Violence
Coming Events for Republican Socialists
1) Public debate on the ‘Rising Cost of Living’ in the Landsdowne Court Hotel Antrim Rd. Starts 7.00pm, on Thursday 19th June. Present will be invited guests such as Junior Minister Gerry Kelly [SF]. Eleanor Gill – N.I. Consumer Council. Prof. Paddy Hillyard –Former Independent Chair of the Water Tax Review; the above invited guests will be contributing to the debate.
2) Ceartais – Public Meeting re- use of CF gas in Long Kesh 1974 and the Health effects in later life for those affected; Tuesday 17th off June, 7.00pm in the GlenPark – Ardoyne Ave. [This would apply to some of our ex-prisoners’ who were present during this event,)
3) Sunday 15th June – evening. As part of the 'Say No To Bush' Campaign, artist Christoff Gillen plans to write 'NO TO BUSH' in 50ft white letters on the Black Mountain. This will make the campaign visible to the whole of Belfast and complement the rally at City Hall on 16th June.
4) This Monday there is a protest out side the City Hall re- the planned visits’ later on off George Bush. This is a must. We have to be there with Banner and a few Starry Plough flags, although comrades may be working each Cumann could sent at least 2 there is a large crowd expected, so Media coverage will a cert, hope to see you there!!
5/ Bodenstown Commemoration; Sallins Sunday the 29th off June; all expected to attend and show support for comrades in the 26, who are under constant threat and intimidation from the ‘Branch’.
And they say nothing happening !!!

More Sectarian Attacks
Lime Court is Sheltered Dwelling for old people, situated at the bottom of the loyalist Peter's Hill/Shankill and sandwiched between there and the Catholic/Republican Carrickhill. The dwellings are totally occupied by senior citizens from both communities who are mostly aged between 70-80 years old.
At the weekend the grounds were invaded by a number of men who set about smashing windows of 4 dwellings with hammers and cudgels. The elderly residents were terrified and rightly so.
The PSNI have not highlighted this attack on the elderly but have agreed that it was sectarian. This comes after recent attacks on elderly peoples homes in the nearby Stanhope Street which were also sectarian. Some of those residents have asked to be moved away from the interface because they are frightened, and now it is being suggested in some circles that there is going to be a long hot summer campaign to force the catholic/Republican families out.
Next year 2nd August 2009 is the 40th anniversary of one of the worse days of the early troubles, when thousands of loyalists tried to storm the then Unity Flats. Not everyone is aware that on that day an elderly man Patrick Corry was beaten and stabbed by both loyalists and RUC men. When he was eventually conveyed to hospital, he was to remain there until he died 4 months later from his injuries This is still fresh in many of our minds and we will never forget how many battles were fought to keep this small enclave at the bottom of the Shankill Catholic/Republican. The first time that it was muted to bring the British Army on to the streets was during the 2nd-3rd of August 1969 and it was because of the pressure the RUC were under. But that's another story. During one of the many attempts to burn flats in Unity in 1969 the attackers were met with a hail of gunfire. Unity Flats never fell into loyalist hands and neither will Carrickhill.

Harrassment by Irish Political Police
The Seamus Costello Memorial Flute Band condemns the harassment at the John Morris Commemoration in Dublin on Sunday 8th June.
On arrival at the venue for the march the bus carrying the band was surrounded by Free State Special Branch.
Band members were mobbed on arrival by these people in suits and not allowed to leave the the bus until everyone gave their names one at a time.
There are band members as young as 12 years of age and these young people, who have committed no crime, were treated no differently to the adults by these bullies. Names and addresses were taken. Even the bus drivers name was taken.
We would like to point out that this harrassment has been ongoing for some time now whenever the band travels to the 26 counties.we will remain resolute. They will not, indeed they can not deter us from remembering the dead volunteers of the IRSM.
The harassment by the special branch at this commemoration was outrageous. Both members of the IRSP and non-members who came to pay respects were harassed. Over eight special branch cars were present, and at least twenty members of the special branch. Attendees were approached and asked repeatedly throughout the day for their details, three times or more.
During the commemoration itself with the speeches and laying of the wreaths, members of the special branch surrounded the graveyard in an intimidating fashion.
When the speaker equipment was being carried back to be put away in the nearby car park after the commemoration was finished, up to ten special branch men and women quick marched through the grave aisles and over to Dublin IRSP members and non-members and proceeded to surround and harass.
They accused those with cameras and phone camera’s of taking photo’s of them, despite the near impossibility of ‘not’ including them in any images of the commemoration seeing as they surrounded the periphery of the crowd. They proceeded to harass one lad who was a non-member of the IRSP and accused him of photographing them, which in itself is not illegal being in a public place. They took the camera off of him and then they demanded he show them how to turn the camera on, which he eventually did as they couldn’t figure it out. They then asked him to delete the images off the camera, all the while being surrounded by the special branch. In a change of mind, the special branch man removed and confiscated the memory card from the camera. One special branch man suggested his arrest. Later, a member of the special branch believed him to be a member of eirigi, while another asked his nationality. They also commented on his appearance and said he had changed his hair. All of which was of no business to them, and was naked intimidation.
This was a scandalous act, to confiscate the property of a member of the public who committed no crime and was not a member of any political organisation, but was simply an attendee.
After this, they then proceeded to harass members of Dublin IRSP. In one instance of harassment, special branch men circled a members vehicle looking to point out faults with the tyres or other components of the car. Finding nothing, they asked whether he was a fully licensed driver and whether he had a licensed driver in the car with him. Again, things were in order. They then checked the vehicles tax and insurance discs and claimed that they were possible forgeries. Unfounded claims.
During this time, again they asked for names and addresses of all who were present, despite already giving such details numerous times already. They asked for Ids and even took driving license numbers.
As some members walked back to the pub – three special branch cars drove past and tauntingly beeped their horn and made hand gestures out the window and laughed.
The commemoration was organised as a public event to commemorate a socialist volunteer who was murdered by this very same ilk. No members of the IRSP, and especially ordinary members of the public who attend should be harassed in such a way.
The political police force of the freestate showed their true colours yet again, and stooped to a new low, disrupting peaceful assembly, the confiscation of a persons private property, and with the accusing of members of the public not affiliated to any political organisation what-so-ever of membership of an ‘illegal’ organisation unless their property were handed over and details given.
They incriminated what was not criminal and confiscated what was not theirs.
Did You Know
Working people today have to work more than 50hrs a week to reach the same earnings power of those working less than 40hrs during the 1960s and 1970s. New technology has not give more leisure time to workers but rather more profit for the Bosses.
The last Act of Parliament of the old Stormont the Social Needs Act 1971 (the same legislation which created Local Authority Leisure Services and leisure centres) estimated that those employed had 30hours a week available to spend in leisure centres. That figure today combined with poor working conditions and long hours leaves 10 leisure hours.
However, only one person in four can afford to use the leisure centres more than one session a week.

Rights for new mothers
In un-organised non union work places, more often than not, employers fail to inform Women that since the April last year all employed women who are expecting a baby will benefit from new rights to maternity pay and leave. Many women are still only claiming maternity pay based on 26 weeks. The new rights are:
* *an increased period of Statutory Maternity Pay or Maternity
Allowance*, paid for 39 weeks instead of 26. Statutory Maternity
Pay is paid at 90% of her average weekly earnings for the first
six weeks of her leave. After that, she will receive a flat rate
or 90% of her average weekly earnings (whichever is lower) for 33
weeks. Maternity Allowance is paid by the Government at a flat
rate or 90% of a woman’s average weekly earnings for all 39 weeks;
There’s no change to the amount of notice employees have to give their employer about when they want to start maternity leave or when they’ll be coming back to work. However, *if an employee changes her mind about the date she intends to come back* to work from leave, she must give her employer at least 8 weeks’ notice before the new date (or before the date she originally planned to return, if this is earlier).
GAY PRIDE
The IRSP in North Belfast condemn totally the homophobic comments of Strangford MLA Iris Robinson on the Nolan show on Radio Ulster. Her comments included the biblical description of the homosexual act as an ‘abomination’, are totally inappropriate in a climate where gay people are regularly attacked because of their sexual orientation.
An IRSP spokesperson commented that gay people are due the same respect and protection of all other sectors within society. That an elected representative behaves in such a fashion and holds extreme views that Iris Robinson holds and espouses is in fact the real abomination.
A RIGHT DOGS DINNER
The promotion of DUP’s dynamic duo, the dick Dasterdly and Muttley of Unionism, Sammy Wilson and Gregory Campbell to the Stormont executive has been described by the IRSP in Belfast as another strike against anything ‘green’ and Gaelic. The fact that Sammy Wilson doesn’t believe in Global warming and Gregory Campbell makes a joke of the Irish Language in Stormont, does not bode well for the notion of consensual politics up at the big house on the hill. Watch this space!
Working class communities under threat in inner city Belfast
The decision to go ahead with a high rise apartment block in Donegal Street whilst a nearby social housing scheme faces further delays is a damning indictment on both the planning authority and the department of social development.
The IRSP fully support the sterling effort of St. Patrick’s and St Joseph’s housing action group in its campaign to achieve the required amount of social housing across North Belfast. The building of the social housing is being held up by red tape from the North West quarter regeneration. Private developers do not seem to attract the same planning delays as those for social housing. The long term effect of such decisions is housing waiting lists getting longer, more homelessness or further exploitation from private landlords. The IRSP are clear that there is no private housing solution to the long term need for social housing, if the present trend continues traditional working class areas in the inner city are under a very real threat.
North Belfast Interface Monitoring Group Poster Launch 2008
The North Belfast Interface Monitoring Group in partnership with youth providers from across North Belfast will be launching their interface poster initiative for 2008 on Wednesday 18th June at 4:30pm in Groundwork NI on Duncairn Gardens.
Pioneered by the North Belfast Interface Monitoring Group the initiative will distribute 20,000 leaflets and posters across schools, youth clubs and local communities to highlight the dangers and risks, particularly among young people, associated with summer rioting at interfaces. The initiative is calling on all with influence with our young people to exercise positive leadership at this time.
The message that young people are sending out that interface violence is not acceptable is highly significant and brings a new dimension to the poster campaign that is now in its third year.
Youth providers held focus groups of young people from the north of the city to consult with them on how they wanted to shape the image, content and message of the campaign.
This poster launch is the formal launch of a process which will leave everyone in no doubt of the dangers, risks and harm associated with sectarian conflict at interfaces. The poster launch will also aim to generate dialogue among communities around the role and responsibility of children, parents, church leaders, politicians and teachers to ensure that this summer passes off peacefully.
The poster will be launched this year primarily by young people who will be sending out the message “North Belfast Youth say no to interface violence”
Local schools and youth clubs and organisations will be invited to help deliver the message and to launch the initiative alongside local politicians and community representatives.
The poster will also be carried in a high visibility advertising campaign carried on Translink buses servicing North Belfast routes throughout the summer sponsored by OFM/dFM.
Project promoter Rab McCallum stated: “It is also of concern that 11 and 12 year olds are now routinely engaged in interface conflict within and between communities. People living on interfaces live in constant stress over the summer months. Irresponsible and reckless actions by young people or those consumed with alcohol often compounds the misery that residents must live with over the summer months.”
Michael Atcheson contributed: “The consequences of interface violence are seldom understood by young people who see this pursuit as fun. The poster initiative will raise awareness among young people that rioting at interfaces could damage their future prospects of employment, travel while also rewarding them with a criminal record or custodial sentence.”
Anyone wishing further detail on the interface poster initiative or the launch should contact;
Breandán Clarke brendan@nbin.info Tel: 07877874893
Or
John Loughran john@intercommbelfast.com Tel:
The NBCTF is actively supported by groups reflective of the diversity of North Belfast to include:North Belfast Interface Network, LINC Resource Centre, North Belfast Developing Leadership CEP, Teach na Failte, Concerned Residents of Upper Ardoyne (CRUA), EPIC, Mid Skegoneil Community Association, , Lower Shankill Community Association, The Corrymeela Community, Greencastle CEP, 174 Trust, Upper Ardoyne Community Partnership, Tar Isteach, North Belfast Alternatives, Intercomm, Ardoyne Focus Group, Cavehill/ Antrim Road Regeneration (CARR) and the Fellowship of Messines Association Project.
The Interface Poster that outlines the dangers of engaging in conflict at the interfaces is being promoted by the North Belfast Interface Monitoring Network. This is a sub group of the North Belfast Conflict Transformation Forum. This group enjoys membership from across all communities.
On the day of the launch there will be a symbolic distribution of the poster across interface communities and schools.
The poster will be displayed in all West Belfast Taxi Association cabs and Shankill Road Black Taxi Association.
This programme is being supported by the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister and the Department of Social Development.
This programme is also being supported by the Network Reference Group, a coalition of all North Belfast Community Empowerment Partnerships.
For information or to arrange interviews please contact:
Breandán Clarke on
07877 874893
or at brendan@nbin.infoOr
John Loughran on
02890 352 165 or at john@intercommbelfast.comThis bulletin produced by the Collective Editorial Staff of the IRSP Bulletin
