Republican Sinn Féin hit out at 'Éire Nua' group, brand SF politicians 'traitors'

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A newly-formed republican organisation was criticised at the Easter Sunday commemoration by

A newly-formed republican organisation was criticised at the Easter Sunday commemoration by Republican Sinn Féin in Stranorlar.

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Martin Duffy from Lurgan, a Vice President of Sinn Féin Poblachtach, gave the main oration at the Republican Sinn Féin event.

He referenced the Éire Nua policy, first developed in the 1970s and which promotes a federal united Ireland with parliaments in the four provinces, and the social and economic programme, Saol Nua.

In late 2024, a new group, calling itself Éire Nua - which includes former Sinn Féin and Republican Sinn Féin members - was launched. At the weekend, this group also held commemorations.

“It seems once again that we must reiterate that the Éire Nua policy is the intellectual property of Republican Sinn Féin and only members of Republican Sinn Féin should be allowed to speak on it,” Mr Duffy said. 

“Republican Sinn Féin is always open to approaches about Éire Nua. Once again, I will repeat, the Éire Nua policy is the intellectual property of Republican Sinn Féin and is not the name of an organisation or an individual, but a policy document which we firmly believe will bring peace to Ireland.

“Mise Eire simply means I am Ireland. There is no other, no substitute. It belongs to the people of Ireland. Let us never forget that no foreign nation or country will ever be allowed to pull us apart or threaten us with different types of agreements.”

Mr Duffy said that Sinn Féin politicians elected to seats in Dublin and Belfast “are not Republicans”. 

He said: “Those in Stormont are administering British rule on behalf of their paymasters, they are promoting a United Ireland in the context of a 32 county state with joint sovereignty. This is the language of the constituted nationalist … They have become the political ruling class who are afraid of the working class power and will do anything to suppress it. 

“These people are the traitors of Irish freedom. Let it be clear: Republican Sinn Fein will only continue the fight for a 32 country federal democratic republic where the people are the arbiters of our own fate. 

“Even with all the betrayals of the last few years it is still stomach crunching that we see a so-called First Minister sit down with the King of England, the commander in chief of the Parachute Regiment, and in the 26 counties our former comrades have become more and more embroiled in constitutional politics.”

Sorcha McElhinney read the proclamation, Ester McElhinney read the Donegal Roll of Honour and Muireann DeBarra led a decade of the rosary.

Katie Kelly of the Donegal and Tyrone Drumboe Martyrs Committee and James Sweeney on behalf of the Republican movement laid wreaths at the monument which Sen Doyle, who travelled from the Glens of Antrim, played a piper’s lament.

The parade was led by a colour party and music by the John Brady Memorial Flute Band.

Mary Ward of Burtonport, the Chairperson of the Drumboe Martyrs Commemoration Committee, acted as MC for the event.

She said it was important to remember that the Drumboe Martyrs, commemorated at the site, were not shot by the British, but by Irish men,

“They were taken out in the woods behind me and summarily executed by Irish men,” Ms Ward said. 

“I think it is good to remember that the An Garda Siochana and the national army, they were set up deliberately as a force against Republican forces, who fought against the treaty of surrender of 1921.”

Martin Kelly from County Tyrone read a statement on behalf of the leadership of the Republican movement.

“The leadership of the Republican movement reaffirms our allegiance to a 32 county All-Ireland Republic,” the statement said.

“This movement has never accepted and never will accept the partitionist parliaments imposed by England in 1921.”

The piece was critical of Sinn Féin - “the organisation styling itself Sinn Fein” as the statement referred - “now attending in the parliaments of England must remove the proud name of Sinn Fein out of those parliaments. 

“Sinn Fein never recognised England’s occupation of our country… 

“We shall not fail when it comes to furthering the cause of Irish freedom. Irish freedom will never be accomplished by those attending these British-created assemblies. 

“The objective of this organisation are those of Theobald Wolfe Tone and Padraig Pearse; to unit the people of Ireland - Protestant, Catholic and dissenter. In the words of Tone to break the connection of England, the never-failing source of all our political ills.”

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The statement criticised the Irish government, which it said is “unworthy” and had “for the last 50 years sold off the wealth of our nation”.

“If truth be told, there should be people in jail for this massive scam,” the statement said.