On the move again
Where Nelson Mandela Need Not Apply
1989
Onwards
1989 became a turning point for the Felons
Association. The long and tedious work that had been undertaken for the previous
twenty five years by the " Forties Men " in providing an association, where the
provision of social, cultural, recreational and welfare facilities for ex
prisoner's of war, culminated in a what became known as a 'Drop in Centre',
where friendships formed during incarceration or internment were rekindled and
fostered. This became a pivotal role in helping Republicans (ex-prisoners)
reintegrate back into our local communities. Later this role would be adopted by
the POW Department in conjunction with the Felons Association in establishing a
prestigious project, ' Tar Anall ', a fully fledged drop-in centre for
ex-prisoner's and their families.
The 'Forties Men' had for a long number of
years been encouraging younger members to take the 
reigns of the association. This had mainly been due to
several of their kin dying through old age and many others suffering ill health.
Several young and some middle-aged members, over a period, were weaned by the
'oul hands '. Harry 'Dixie' Cordner continued to serve as Chairperson of the
association. Stalwarts like Frank McDermott, Malachy McNally and Liam Stewart
stewarded the new comers into a formidable committee. Dixie Cordner (sentenced
to death with Tom Williams) died in 1993 Malachy McNally (the man from God knows
where) died in 1998. Both men had given a life time service to the Republican
cause and to the Felons. Liam Stewart, another stewart retired through ill
health.
The late Eighties and early Nineties continued
to take its toll on the membership of the Felons Association. In the early
eighties dozens of Felons members were interned again by remand on the word of
Paid Perjurers '. Most of these men and women were convicted in Diplock Courts
on the word of a former comrade, bribed and coerced under the direction of
Detective John Derek Martindale, a hated RUC figure who was intent on jailing as
many Republicans as possible due to an I.R.A. gun attack which left Martindale
seriously injured. These Show Trials eventually became redundant with their
validity being seriously scrutinised by Human Rights Organisations throughout
the world. Several members having served lengthy prison sentences returned to
the ranks of Oglaigh Na hEireann to die at the hands of British Murder gangs.
Volunteers Dan McCann and Mairéad Farrell in Gibraltar, Volunteer Kevin
McCracken at home. Other members also died at the hands of Loyalist murder
gangs.
On another front C13 and the RUC tried
unsuccessfully year after year to close the Irish Republican Felons Association,
objecting against the renewal of our licence with the flimsiest of complaints.
Against all the odds, the courts (from which Republicans never gained justice)
had no choice but to grant the renewal of our licence, year after
year.
The "Sixties and Seventies" men and women
accepted the challenge of continuing where their predecessors had left off. The
Felons committee spread their wings buying new property, 539 Falls Road,
adjacent to the clubrooms. This property was destined to become the new 'Drop-in
Centre' for Republican ex-prisoners. This centre was to provide professional
services for Prisoners being freed from enemy gaols and for their families
during the long years of incarceration. This service continues to thrive with
ex-prisoners benefiting from professional as well Republican
counsellors.
The Felons also embarked on another ambitious
project. Belfast had been without a pipe and drum band for a long number of
years due to the enormous amount of work, necessary to train and maintain a band
of this calibre. Piobairí Na Méirleach was established. Many members and other
republicans came together and worked untirelessly until Belfast could become
proud of a Republican Pipe and Drum band that would lead the Easter and Wolfe
Tone commemorations.
The committee of the association continued to
work for the benefit of the membership of the association. They undertook to
completely refurbish the interior of the clubrooms making all of our rooms as
relaxing and comfortable as one would expect in Belfast's Europa hotel. This
took many years to achieve. The ' Pig in a poke ' as it was once described was a
building that many could be envious off. Unfortunately, the exterior of the
building, did not, or ever did compliment the interior of the building. This
project was to become one of the biggest financial challenges for the committee.
A building sub-committee came together to draw up plans for the complete
refurbishing of the outside of the building. An architect was employed. The
ideas of the committee were discussed and eventually a proposal was agreed. Nine
months of planning, constructive argument and the occasional tantrum led to the
start of the programme of work. Nine months later, the Irish Republican Felons
Association boast one of the finest buildings on the Falls Road. The Felons
association continues to prosper. We continue to host many charitable and
educational evenings, to provide assistance for the Green Gross, Irish
Republican Prisoner's Welfare and Transport Departments. We uphold our cultural
traditions, providing Irish language classes. The Flannigan school of dancing
provides Irish dancing classes for the young and not so young. The Ben Madigan
Cultural Society hosts many drama and cultural events. The Felons Writer's Group
hold many classes and provide evenings of entertainment. We also open our doors
to cross-community cultural and political events.
Chomhghairdeas do gach dhuine (sean agus óg) a
bhíi pairteach san cuspóir sin.
Since the arrival of an infamous RUC inspector
by the name of Parkes in January 1997, the association has come under pressure
to force the resignation of all our committee members and also to close our
association solely because of our Republican beliefs and aspirations. This
unprecedented onslaught on our association, ironically, comes at a time when
Prisoners and ex-prisoners have made such, and continue to make such an impact
on the present ' PEACE PROCESS '. Members of our association, Gerry Adams,
Martin McGuinness, Gerry Kelly, Alex Maskey and others are to the fore in
helping to make this process work, while Parkes from the infamous RUC attempts
to vilify, harass and demonise our members and our association.
On the move again
Where Nelson Mandela Need Not
Apply