New Document: Sinn Féin Dublin Central Newsletter (2005) — Sinn Féin

Many thanks to the person who forwarded this to the Archive. This is a relatively brief two page document with a particular interest because it engages with the decision by the Republican Movement and the IRA to relinquish armed struggle.

This is framed in the headline ‘IRA makes historic move to save Peace Process’.

On 6 April this year Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams asked the IRA to “take courageous initiatives that will achieve your aims by purely political and democratic activity”.

There followed an intense consultation process and discussion within Irish Republican Army ranks on the future of the organisation.

On Thursday 28 July 2005 in an historic statement, the IRA ordered an end to its armed campaign in the 6 Counties. All IRA units were ordered to “dump arms” and IRA Volunteers were instructed by its leadership to “assist the development of purely political and democratic programmes through exclusively peaceful means. Volunteers must not engage in any other activities whatsoever.”

And:

The organisation said there was widespread concern among its members about the failure of the British and Irish governments and the unionists to fully engage in the peace process. But it said the IRA had taken its historic decisions to advance the cause of a United Ireland. “We believe there is now an alternative way to achieve this and to end British rule in our country” the IRA said, adding its view that the armed struggle it waged for three decades was “entirely legitimate”.

The IRA statement concluded by calling for unity among republicans in the time ahead and by looking positively to the future. “There is now an unprecedented opportunity to utilise the considerable energy and goodwill which there is for the Peace Process. This comprehensive series of unparalleled initiatives is our contribution to this and to the continued endeavours to bring about independence and unity for the people of Ireland.”

This is also presented as part of a structured process:

The announcement by the British Government of a strategy to demilitarise society in the 6 Counties including the disbandment of the notorious, locally-recruited loyalist militia – the Royal Irish Regiment (RIR) is welcome but long overdue.

The start which the British Government has made to the demilitarisation process is just that, a start. The moves by the British Army to pack up in South Armagh must be built upon across the entire 6 Counties.

Notable is how this is localised to a constituency – Dublin Central.

The document also has pieces on “Who owns Ireland?” with a focus on natural resources and the Rossport 5. It also includes the campaign demands of the latter.

A membership form is included and there is an advertisement for a Make Partition History Carnival and Rally for Irish Unity in Dublin.