Campaigns // Imperialists out of Ireland!!

“There are in every generation those who shrink from the ultimate sacrifice, but there are in every generation those who make it with joy and laughter and these are the salt of the generations."

~ P.H. Pearse

British imperialism in Ireland

On the 31st of July, 2007 the British Army’s ‘Operation Banner’ concluded amidst much media hype.  ‘Banner’ had commenced thirty-eight years previously in August 1969 when the British Army were deployed in support of an RUC struggling to contain the anger of a rising nationalist and republican community.

What received far less publicity was the commencement of ‘Operation Helvetic’ on August 1st, 2007.  ‘Helvetic’ is the codename for the current British Army operation in Ireland under which the 5,000 strong ‘permanent garrison’ operates.  Recent legislation passed in Westminster (The Justice and Security Act 2007) gives these troops the power to stop and question, arrest, search, enter and seize.  Such powers had previously only been available to British troops operating under ‘temporary’ ‘emergency’ legislation.  ‘Helvetic’ also makes provision for those same troops to be rapidly mobilised onto Irish streets and into Irish fields should the need arise.  Thus the legal and logistical framework for future British Army interference in Irish affairs is now in place.

The ending of ‘Banner’ and the commencement of ‘Helvetic’ are simply the last pieces in the jigsaw of the British governments ‘counter-insurgency’ strategy for Ireland.  As far back as 1971 the British Army strategist Frank Kitson had summarised that strategy as being one based upon ‘Ulsterisation’, ‘Criminalisation’ and ‘Normalisation’.

Thirty-six years later with the two main nationalist parties partaking in a British regional Assembly in Stormont, the effective disarmament and disbandment of the largest armed republican organisation and the British Army returned to barracks it would appear that Britain’s latest attempt to subvert Irish democracy has succeeded.

But appearances can be deceptive and the desire of a people to be free cannot be contained for long.  Ever greater numbers of people in Ireland and beyond are coming to the conclusion that the Good Friday Agreement, based as it is upon the inherently undemocratic ‘unionist veto’, is more likely to copper-fasten the British occupation than it is to end it.

The reality is that the British presence in Ireland can only be ended by directly challenging the undemocratic and imperialist foundations upon which it is based.  This can best be done through the building of a mass anti-imperialist campaign for British withdrawal.  éirígí is committed to playing a full role in such a campaign.

Click on the links below to find out more about British Imperialism in Ireland and the éirígí campaigns to oppose it.

A timeline of Irish history

Relations between Ireland and Britain have been defined, for more than eight centuries, by the imperialistic ambitions of Britain to rule Ireland.  This ambition, and the subsequent resistance of the Irish people, has resulted in centuries of conflict defined by war, famine, poverty and emigration.  Click here to read more about the historical background to the Anglo-Irish conflict. More>>>

British forces in Ireland

The British occupation of Ireland is underpinned by a trinity of armed agencies.  These forces represent the ‘stick’ in the British ‘carrot and stick’ counter-insurgency strategy in Ireland. The largest British force currently in Ireland is the locally recruited paramilitary police force known the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). The PSNI is largely made up of former members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC)  . More >>>

The campaign for British withdrawal

Over the course of the last decade the British government has, with the assistance of their allies in Ireland, largely succeeded in neutralising the demand for Irish self determination.  The voice of Irish democracy is arguably now, at its weakest point for more than a generation. Recognising this reality is an essential first step in the building of a new movement for Irish national democracy. More>>>

No British Withdrawal? - No Royal Visits!

The recent suggestion by Mary McAleese of a possible state visit to the twenty-six counties by British Queen Elizabeth Windsor should be viewed with concern by socialists, republicans and democrats alike.  When McAleese stated that the circumstances for such a visit “ are probably now getting to the point where they are as close to right as they have ever been”, she was simply further confirming the success of the long, British-inspired, policy of political ‘normalisation’ in Ireland - where that ‘normalisation’ is based upon protection of the constitutional status quo. . More >>>