The Republican Network For Unity (RNU) affirm their solidarity with Palestine over the recent deaths during the March Of Return (see also His Land, His Legs, His Life) with a new mural showing an Israeli hand smothering a Palestinian face. Here is the RNU’s statement on the recent deaths in Gaza. “RNU in west Belfast” and “End internment” are from the ‘Free Tony Taylor’ mural that this board covers over.
Above is the plaque on Berwick Road/Paráıd An Ardghleanna to four teenaged members of Na Fıanna Éıreann who died in 1972 – Davy McAuley, Josh [Joseph] Campbell, Josie McComiskey and Bernard Fox – all four from Ardoyne/Ard Eoın. McAuley died of a gunshot wound, perhaps at a Louth training camp (Nelson McCausland). Campbell was shot in Eksdale Street in a gun battle with the British Army; McComiskey was shot in Flax Street in a gun battle with the British Army; Fox was shot by British Army in Brompton Street. For the tarp, see Purity In Our Hearts; for the 2016 lily, see In The Cause Of Irish Freedom.
“[I assume that I am speaking to Englishmen who value their freedom, and who profess to be fighting for the freedom of Belgium and Serbia [in WWI].] Believe that we too love freedom and desire it. To us it is more than anything else in the world. If you strike us down now, we shall rise again and renew the fight. You cannot conquer Ireland; you cannot extinguish the Irish passion for freedom. If our deed has not been sufficient to win freedom, then our children will win it by a better deed – Gen. P. H. Pearse” at his court martial in 1916.
Here are eight images of the memorial plaques to deceased Ardoyne IRA fianna and ógliagh fromt he 1970s: David McAuley, Joseph Campbell, Joseph McComiskey, Bernard Fox, Charles McCann, Seamus Cassidy, Trevor McKibbin, James McDade, Gerard McDade, James Reid, Terry Toolan, Brian Smyth, Paddy McAdorey, Denis Brown, Jim Mulvenna, Jackie Mailey, Frankie Donnelly, Laurence Montgomery.
Catalan president, Carles Puigdemont, will address the regional parliament today, the first time since the referendum on October 1st and the violence that accompanied it. He threatened to announce an independent Catalonia within 48 hours of the poll, but today might in fact be the day (Irish Times | Guardian).
Gerard Gibson, aged 16, was shot dead by members of the Royal Green Jackets (“murdered by British crown forces”) in Lenadoon on 11 July 1972. His case was examined by the Historical Enquiries Team (HET) but the family rejected the findings (BBC). This board show today is in a similar style, and close to, that of Fıan Sean Ó Rıordan, but Gibson is not identified as a youth member of the OIRA (as Sutton identifies him).
Belfast Boxers (Tw | web) is a non-profit group promoting boxing in the city. Its logo is included in a new mural in the Bone celebrating Belfast boxing and specifically the old Sacred Heart Boxing Academy – as we’ll see in tomorrow’s post.
The Martin Meehan tarp in Ardoyne Avenue has been removed and the wall whitewashed. At the moment, all there is to be seen is the plaque shown above – Show Me The Man, Martin Meehan 1945 – 2007 – and a Cogús board – “End strip searching in Maghaberry now”.
“Come on, you boys in green!” Here’s a mural from the summer, when Ireland (and Northern Ireland) took part in the European soccer championships. The Euro 2016 trophy is at the centre of an Irish Tricolour.