Republican Sinn Féin believes that the historic Irish nation is a distinct, coherent unit and is entitled to exercise its own independence. We believe, in the words of one of the 18-Century founders of Irish Republicanism, Wolfe Tone, in the urgent need to "break the connection with England, the never-failing source of all our political evils". We stand for the complete overthrow of British rule in Ireland.
Anyone wishing to contact the Dáithí Ó Conaill cumann may do so by sending an email to: rsfmonaghan@hotmail.com
While on Hunger Strike in 1981 for Political Status, Kieran Doherty was elected as TD for Cavan/Monaghan. This was part of the campaign to highlight the prisoners plight in Long Kesh. There they were subject to a long process of criminalisation that sought to turn the prisoners from soldiers into common criminals. The prisoners knew that they were soldiers in a legimate army and that to allow any other label to be put on them would be to criminalise the entire struggle for Irish freedom. The protest began with the Blanket Protest, followed by what became known as the Dirty Protest. Only after exhausting all other avenues open to them did the prisoners begin the Hunger Strikes. Kieran volunteered for the Hunger Strike and pledged to die rather than allow the Republican struggle be labelled a criminal act. He died after 73 agonising days of fasting but his and his comrades actions succeeded in achieving Political Status for Republican prisoners.
In 1998 following the signing of the Belfast Agreement Political Status was withdrawn for new prisoners. This means that anyone convicted in a British court of Republcian activity will now be treated as a common criminal. This is clearly not what Kieran and his comrades died for. Those who signed the Agreement and those who support it are betraying the brave sacrifice of the Hunger Strikers.
