Monday, December 23, 2013

Burglary Epidemic

Due to the many failures of this government, Dublin and many parts of the country are plagued by an epidemic of burglaries. éirígí Dublin Northeast have worked with communities to highlight this issue by organising public meetings and working with local neighbourhood watch groups.

Speaking about the continued spate of burglaries éirígí Dublin Northeast Representative Ciaran Heaphey said: “This time of year is a particular time when burglaries increase. I would urge residents to be vigilant and to work with other neighbours in your community to be vigilant and keeping homes safe.”
Some Tips to Securing Your Home
- Ensure that doors are locked, windows are shut and securely locked.
-If the entrance to your home is dark consider installing lighting with an infrared detector. Most thieves don’t want to be observed trying to get in a door.
-Have the back door locked when answering the front door, a secure ring chain lock attached to your door handle will increase the security.
-Having a dog is a major deterrent to burglars.
-Tell close neighbours you trust if you plan to be away or expect any deliveries

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Fine Gael not welcome in Coolock.

Members of Fine Gael were this week canvassing the households of Kilmore/Coolock endorsing the career politician Richard Bruton.

éirígí Dublin Northeast representative Ciaran Heaphey told his canvassers exactly what he thought of their policies, which have given nothing to local communities but mass unemployment and economic misery.

Heaphey said: "The Blueshirts have no right canvassing any working-class area given their Thatcherite right-wing policies. What makes it worse is they are supported by the Labour Party. Heaphey continued "This shower should not be able to canvass our areas without harassment from local people.” 

éirígí encourages all members of the community who oppose austerity to voice their anger towards Fine Gael in the same manner if they come knocking. 


Sunday, November 10, 2013

Coolock Community Organises

Several weeks ago éirígí Dublin Northeast organised a public meeting in Kilmore/Coolock in response to the upcoming water tax. The meeting was addressed by éirígí Dublin Northeast Representative Ciaran Heaphey and local community residents. This meeting went on to become a foundation for protest, further community meetings and more importantly, action.
The meeting, held in late September was a huge success, with up to 80 in attendance, with discussion on matters relevant to their community. Due to an epidemic of burglaries in the Coolock area, the burglary issue became a major section of the meeting’s agenda. The total lack of response from local Garda to the community was a major point of discussion and anger. The meeting ended, with much agreed upon and follow up  actions.

 Since this meeting in Kilmore, a further two community meetings have been organised by éirígí Dublin Northeast, to give local residents an update on the burglary  and other local issues. These meetings were again addressed by Ciaran Heaphey. Due to a lack of any meaningful response from the Garda, the local residents decided to organise a protest outside of Santry Garda Station in order to get their voices heard.
On Saturday 12th October up to 50 Kilmore residents travelled over to Santry to picket their local Garda station. Residents were granted a meeting with Garda. However since this meeting there has been little Garda action or response. Undeterred by this, local residents have distributed thousands of newsletters regarding the neighbourhood watch begun by some residents.

Speaking about these community forum meetings, Ciaran Heaphey said: “These meetings have facilitated community discussion and community action. There is a strong sense of community in Kilmore and the wider Coolock communities and we in éirígí Dublin Northeast are delighted to play our role and work with the local community. éirígí has argued from its foundation that effective change will only come through mass political action organised at a community and work-place level. These community meetings will continue on a regular basis. We look forward to discussion and organising with local residents at these meetings. "

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Heaphey organises Darndale/Belcamp Public Meeting



éirígí Public Meeting

On Water Tax and Local Issues.
(including community response to house break ins)
7.30pm Wednesday 27thNovember
Darndale/Belcamp Village Centre.
Speakers: éirígí Dublin Northeast Representative Ciaran Heaphey and local community speaker.

All welcome



Update on Burglaries
After a huge spike in home burglaries in the Coolock area, the local community have decided enough is enough and began to organise to begin tackling the issue. A protest by the community was recently held at Santry Garda Station regarding the poor Garda response burglaries in the area. Protesting residents had a meeting with the Garda afterwards. Other residents have begun a local neighbourhood watch scheme. A full update will be given at the meeting by Ciaran.
Water Tax
The water tax installation point is fast approaching for the people of Dublin Northeast. The only successful way to defeat this outrageous charge is to mobilise locally, and to have a united community front ready to resist the water tax. éirígí have held a successful meeting on the topic, in September attended by near 80 residents, and are now looking at taking the next steps of growing a strong community alliance, intent on smashing the water tax.

éirígí Dublin Northeast representative Ciaran Heaphey, commenting on the upcoming meeting said: “It is a time for residents to take a stand against the crippling policies being pushed upon on them by the government in Leinster House, who continue to attack the most vulnerable in society. It also gives the local community a chance to talk about local issues of concern to them. Hope to see you on 27th November.''

Saturday, October 26, 2013

Heaphey Organises Local Meeting

A local meeting aimed at giving residents an update on recent local issues has been organised by local éirígí representative Ciaran Heaphey. The meeting will take place in the Kilmore West Community Centre on 30th October starting at 7.30pm. The speakers on the night will include éirígí Dublin Northeast spokesperson Ciaran Heaphey and local residents. The meeting will serve as a platform to explain the progress made into local issues including home burglaries in the area. The meeting will also give an update on the future in resisting the water tax.

Update on Burglaries
After a huge spike in home burglaries in the greater Kilmore area the local community have decided enough is enough and began to organise to begin tackling the issue. A protest was recently held at Santry station protesting the poor Garda response to the criminal activity and successfully got a meeting with Gardai. Other residents have begun a local neighbourhood watch scheme. Full update at meeting.
Water Tax
The water tax installation point is fast approaching for the people of Dublin Northeast. The only successful way to defeat this outrageous charge is to mobilise locally to have a united community front ready to resist the water tax. éirígí have held a successful meeting on the topic in September attended by near 80 residents and are now looking at taking the next steps of growing a strong community alliance intent on smashing the water tax.


The local meeting on the 30th October is a chance to continue the momentum against austerity at a grassroots level. éirígí Dublin Northeast spokesperson, commenting on the upcoming meeting Ciaran Heaphey said: “It is a time for the residents to take a stand against the crippling policies being pushed upon on them by the government in Leinster House who continue to attack the most vulnerable in society in particular with the upcoming water tax. It also gives the local community a chance to talk about local issues of concern to them and speak of any progress being made to stop certain problems they face.”

Monday, October 14, 2013

Coolock Prepares for Water Tax Fight Back

On Wednesday, September 25, éirígí Dublin North East held a successful community meeting in the Kilmore West Community Centre in Coolock. It was standing room only as up to 75 local residents packed into the room to listen to speakers and to discuss the next steps for a local campaign of resistance to the new Twenty-Six County water tax. The meeting also provided an opportunity for local residents to discuss a spate of home burglaries which have taken place in the area in recent months.
The meeting was chaired by Martin Farrell, who introduced the main speaker, éirígí’s Dublin North East representative, Ciaran Heaphey. A local resident and community activist from Kilmore also spoke from the platform.
Water Tax meeting
In his contribution Ciaran informed the crowd of the hypocrisy of the Twenty-Six County Labour Party in government, of how they have sold out everything they once stood for and how they can no longer claim to represent working people. Ciaran went on to talk about the necessity of a strong community campaign to fight the water tax. He argued that that resistance cannot come from political parties or groups alone. The fight back has to involve everybody in the community standing up to austerity.
Questions were then taken from the floor, leading to a prolonged and lively discussion. Many amongst the crowd supported the building of some form of community-based campaign to stand against the water tax and other austerity measures.
The meeting then turned its attention to the issue of home burglaries in the surrounding Kilmore area. A local resident spoke from the floor about her and other locals’ concerns over the recent spate of break-ins. éirígí has helped to highlight this issue by disturbing hundreds of leaflets to households in the area advising residents to be vigilant. The local resident outlined how their fears were not being taken seriously by the Gardaí and how like the water tax the community needed to be strong and organised in the face of this problem.
Water Tax meeting
Speaking after the meeting, Ciaran Heaphey said, “Tonight was a massive success. It was a triumph to get such a huge crowd to the meeting in the first place, particularly at a time when we are being told the Irish people have no fight left in them. The fact that the crowd had such a positive reaction to the idea of building a locally anchored campaign of resistance to the water tax was inspiring.
“I believe that the building of a network of such locally-controlled campaigns will be key to defeating the water tax. The recent experience of the anti-home tax campaign has shown the dangers that lie in centrally organised campaigns that are effectively controlled by one political party or another. éirígí has argued from its foundation that effective change will only come through mass political action organised at a community and work place level. Whether in Rossport, Belfast or Coolock our activists will do all that they can to support communities that are willing to stand up for their rights.
“We now need to push on from here and take the next step into building radical resistance within our communities. We can take inspiration from the high numbers who attended the meeting. It represented a good start for an anti-water tax campaign in this area. Working class communities have had enough and we hope that we are now seeing a willingness to fight back starting to emerge.”

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Getting ready for Wednesday's Public Meeting, Fight the Water Tax !

éirígí Dublin Northeast activists have been busy over the past week publicising tomorrows public meeting in the Kilmore community centre. 

Over the past few days éirígí members have delivered hundreds of leaflets advertising the meeting to households throughout the greater Coolock area and also advertised the upcoming meeting through our regular stall at the Northside shopping centre. 

The meeting will give the people of the Dublin Northeast community a chance to discuss the next step in the fight against the water charges and listen to the speakers including éirígí Dub Northeast spokesperson Ciaran Heaphey speaking on the topic.

All welcome.



Thursday, September 12, 2013

Call on residents of Kilmore to be alert

éirígí are asking members of the Greater Kilmore community to be wary following a recent increase in home burglaries.
Residents in Kilmore have reported that the number of home robberies has shot up in recent months within the area and they are worried by the lacklustre response to the problem. The response to the residents’ concerns over the issue has been very weak by the Gardaí who have failed to really act on the ever worsening problem.
Speaking on the issue éirígí Dublin Northeast spokesperson Ciaran Heaphey said: “The recent increase in home burglaries in Kilmore is distressing for the residents. I would urge everybody to be on the lookout for their neighbours especially the elderly or anybody who may be vulnerable to these robberies.
He continued “A strong community spirit is the first step to defeating this problem. We need to make sure the community is standing together as one on the problem. As most people know in the area, the only people they can rely on are themselves and neighbours to help defeat the problem.”
éirígí will be hosting a public meeting on the water tax issue on Wednesday 25th September at 7.30pm in Kilmore Community Centre. We can make room at the end of the meeting for this issue, where a local resident will give people a run down on the problem.''

Thursday, September 5, 2013

éirígí Dublin Northeast annual hunger strikers' memorial GAA match.



Update on the Stardust Memorial Park

Several weeks ago éirígí Dublin Northeast Representative Ciaran Heaphey was contacted by local residents about the deteriorating conditions in Stardust Memorial Park. Heaphey contacted Dublin City Council's Environmental Complaints Hotline regarding the Park on behalf of the community.

Heaphey maintained contact with them for several weeks In order to put pressure on Dublin City Council to improve conditions in the Park, local éirígí activists distributed over 2,000 newsletters urging residents to contact Dublin City Council, quoting a complaint reference number.

Recently there have been some positive developments. Due to the large number of residents contacting and complaining to Dublin City Council regarding the Park, the general dumping and litter situation has improved.

Speaking in relation to these developments, Ciaran Heaphey said: ''Due to the pressure from many of us in the local community, Dublin City Council has been forced to listen and act.This positive development demonstrates the power of community spirit in our area. We in the local community will continue to monitor developments in the park.'' 

éirígí Dublin Northeast Representative Ciaran Heaphey can be contacted regarding this or any other issues on the above contact details.

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Stardust Memorial Park


As many local residents will be aware, the condition of the Stardust Memorial Park has continued to deteriorate. The park is a very valued local amenity for families in our community.
Due to anti-social behaviour, large areas of the park have been burned. As a result many local people have been deterred from using the park. Smashed bottles litter the park and the water in the park has been polluted. Due to the many cutbacks of the Fianna Fail and Fine Gael/Labour Governments, there are no Park Warders in Stardust Memorial Park. This lack of warders has been detrimental to the Park.
éirígí Dublin Northeast Representative Ciaran Heaphey has been taking local residents' concerns on board regarding the park. Heaphey contacted Dublin City Council's Environmental Complaints Hotline regarding Stardust Memorial Park. All the communities concerns raised, were logged with a council representative.
 
Ciaran, speaking about the issue said: “It is an absolute disgrace what has happened to the Stardust Memorial Park. I would urge local residents to contact Dublin City Council via the Environmental Complaints Hotline on 1850 365 121 and to quote the complaint reference number of 11242. With enough pressure from the local community we can improve the condition of Stardust Memorial Park.
If the council refuses to act on community concerns pressure needs to be applied by the community."

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Delegation in opposition to Clonshaugh Sewage Plant

On Tuesday 18th July éirígí Dublin Northeast Representative Ciaran Heaphey led a delegation of local residents at an information meeting regarding the proposed Clonshaugh Sewage Plant in the Hilton Hotel on the Malahide Road.

Speaking after the meeting Ciaran said: “I and several other residents attended the meeting in order to voice our objection to the building of this huge sewage plant. We voiced many of our objections and health and safety concerns to representatives of the proposed project. We also learned that the operating of this plant will be in private hands if built. This added further to our many concerns to the construction of this huge sewage plant.”
Ciaran continued: “There is huge opposition to the construction of this plant. At one of our weekly stalls last Saturday, several hundred people signed a petition objecting to the building of this plant. We in éirígí with our neighbours in the Coolock area will continue to monitor the progress of the planning of the plant and continue our opposition.”

Friday, July 19, 2013

Home & Water Taxes - The Fight Goes On!

Over the last two years éirígí has been to the fore of the campaign against the introduction of new home and water taxes in the Twenty-Six Counties. In Coolock, Artane and Donaghmede éirígí activists have worked with the local community and other political groupings to build mass opposition to these two unjust taxes.



During this time éirígí activists have helped organise more than fifteen public meetings in the area – meetings that have given local people an important opportunity to get together, share ideas and organise resistance to the home and water taxes. Arising from these meetings a series of public protests were held outside the offices and clinics of local government TDs. éirígí activists have also organised numerous information stalls and delivered tens of thousands of information leaflets to homes across Coolock, Artane and Donaghmede.

The first phase of the campaign saw thousands of homeowners in north-east Dublin join with hundreds of thousands of others in a mass boycott of Labour and Fine Gael’s “household charge”. Before the deadline for payment of the “household charge” was even reached it was clear that this new austerity tax had been defeated. The “household charge” boycott, which was the largest act of civil disobedience in this state in decades, showed what the people are capable of when they act together.

Following the defeat of the “household charge” Labour, Fine Gael and their Troika masters went back to the drawing board and came back with the new “property tax”. In order to ensure compliance with their “property tax” the government gave the Revenue Commissioners a range of unprecedented, draconian powers including the ability to deduct the tax directly from wages, social welfare payments and even personal bank accounts. In the face of such undemocratic and intimidatory measures many people have understandably paid the unjust “property tax”. But the fight against the “property tax” and the soon to be introduced water tax is far from over.



Speaking about the new home and water taxes éirígí’s local representative Ciaran Heaphey said, “By working together, communities across the Twenty-Six Counties were able to defeat the “household charge” through a mass boycott. In response to this defeat the government changed its tactics, so we too have to change our tactics to ensure that the property and water taxes are also defeated.

“This government have effectively removed people’s ability to boycott the property tax, so we need to build political pressure in other ways, including through protest, civil disobedience, direct actions and next year’s local elections. Everyone has a role to play in building opposition to these taxes.

“In the next few months the mass installation of water meters is set to begin. It is essential that these installations are met with widespread community resistance. éirígí have produced an information video showing people how to disable the water-meter chambers.



“I would encourage people to take a look at the video and start thinking about what they can do to prevent the introduction of unjust water taxes in our community.”

Thursday, July 18, 2013

éirígí Dublin Northeast Annual Hunger Strike Memorial GAA match.

éirígí Dublin Northeast Annual Hunger Strike Memorial GAA match. 

The memorial match this year will take place on Saturday the 14th of September at Inis Fail's GAA club, Malahide Road (Balgriffin end) beginning at 4pm. 

Northside V Southside team selections. Northside going for the three in a row.

The game will be followed by a function with "The Invincibles" in the clubhouse. 

For 3.00 euro you get the match, the draw and then into the function, which promises to be another great day for the family.

Link to the event page on our facebook:
 https://www.facebook.com/events/542395412464376/



Residents show anger at the huge fires in Kilmore.

Local residents have voiced their anger with the current situation off the Castletimon Road. Over the last few summers there has been an increase in massive re-occurring fires being lit in the field just off the Castletimon Road in Kilmore.
The height of the grass in this field is a huge problem this being the reason the fires gain such momentum. The residents who have complained regularly to the Dublin City Council seeking a solution and asking for it to be cut down to a normal level have been met with the same old excuses.
During the summer months there is always an increase of fires being lit in the field which combined with the high grass causes a huge volume of smoke closing in on the nearby homes filled with young children and elderly citizens.
This not only causes a danger for the locals facing the mentioned pitch but could be fatal if somebody passing across the pitch was to be caught up one in of the fires, the thick smoke and high grass combination could turn the situation tragic.
Commenting on the situation éirígí Dublin Northeast spokesperson Ciaran Heaphey said: “The situation has a simple solution; Dublin City Council needs to step up to the mark and finally rid the area off the Castletimon Road of the huge grass and weeds. This will mark a step in the right direction to fighting the huge blazes. I have contacted the council on behalf of the residents and I am still awaiting a reply.”

Monday, July 15, 2013

Ciaran Heaphey to Stand in Local Elections



Ciaran Heaphey will be standing for election as the
éirígí candidate in the Beaumont / Donaghmede area in
the 2014 local elections. Ciaran, who has been active
in community and republican politics for almost twentyfive
years, has been the chairperson of the local éirígí
ciorcal (branch) for the last five years. During that time
éirígí has been to the fore of the fight back against
austerity, cutbacks and the new property and water
taxes in Coolock, Artane and Donaghmede.
Speaking about the elections Ciaran Heaphey said, “I
am honoured to have been selected by éirígí to contest
the local elections in this area. Coolock, Artane and
Donaghmede have a very long and proud republican
tradition. We have spent the last five years working
with the people of the area to build on that history and
create a community of resistance to fight against
unemployment, emigration and austerity.”

“Nothing will change if people keep on voting for the
same tired old establishment political parties. By
running in the local elections we are giving people the
chance to vote for radical change. If we want a better
future for ourselves and for our children then we are
going to have to fight for it. I would encourage anyone
that wants to play a part in the fight for a better, fairer,
socialist Ireland to get in touch with us and come on
board. Together we can send a message to the political
establishment. The people of this community aren‟t
going to be treated as second-class citizens any longer.‟


An Samhradh seo chugainn beidh an deis agat vótáil ar
son fhíorathraithe; vótáil ar son ghuth nua dár bpobal;
ar son pháirtí polaitiúil a throidfidh ar do shon, ar son do
theaglaigh, do phobail agus do thír. I Mí na Bealtaine
2014 beidh Ciarán Heaphey ag seasamh sna toghcháin
mar iarrthóir éirígí i dtoghcheantar Beaumont/
Dhomhnach Míde. Tá Ciarán ina chathaoirleach ar an
gciorcal áitiúil de chuid éirígí le cúig bliana anuas agus
tá sé gníomhach sa pholaitíocht phobail agus
phoblachtánach le beagnach fiche is a cúig bliana
anuas.

Ag caint faoi na toghcháin, dúirt Ciarán, “Is mór an ónóir
é dom a bheith roghnaithe ag éirígí chun seasamh sna
toghcháin áitiúla sa cheantar seo. Tá traidisiún
poblachtánach iontach fada agus bródúil ag an gCúlóg,
Ard Aidhin agus Dhomhnach Míde. Le chéile is féidir
linn teachtaireacht a chur chuig an mbunaíocht
pholaitiúil. Ní ghlacfaidh muintir an phobail seo le
stádas an tsaoránaigh ísealchéime níos mó.”

Saturday, July 6, 2013

‘Dípholaitiú na Gaeilge’ – tá sin iontach polaitiúil


‘Dípholaitiú na Gaeilge’ – tá sin iontach polaitiúil

Ar na mallaibh tharla mé ar thaifead ó chomhdháil eagraithe ag an Community Relations Council ar cheisteanna ionannais agus imris. Mar chuid den chomhdháil seo thug an t-iriseoir Fionola Meredith caint ar chúrsaí Gaeilge.

Anois níl a fhios agam an bhfuil mórán baint ag Fionola le saol na Gaeilge, ach mar liobrálach meánaicmeach níorbh aon ábhair iontais é go raibh sí ag caint ar ché chomh maith a bheadh sé dá dtiocfadh linn an teanga a scarúint ón pholaitíocht.

Chuir sin mé ag smaoineamh ar fhairsinge na hargóinte seo le blianta beaga anuas. Beidh cuimhne ag na seanfhondúirí go raibh ‘dípholaitiú’ na teanga iná ábhar mór sna 1980í, ach le teacht na dispeansáide nua agus an Stormont Nua, tá beocht curtha ar ais ann arís. Dá scarófaí an teanga ón pholaitíocht, a deirtear, bheadh spás ann don teanga sna Sé Chontae Nua.

Má chuireann muid béim ar an dea-chaidreamh thar aon ní eile, bhuel ansin beidh spás ann cinnte dóibh siúd ar mhian leo foghlaim faoi logainmneacha agus sloinnte Gaelacha agus oidhreacht na Gaeilge go ginearálta. Spás siombalach, níl fadhb ar bith leis sin. Ach cad é a chiallódh sin dúinn a bhfuil sé de rún againn an teanga a athbheochan mar theanga labhartha i measc an phobail? Cá háit a mbeidh cairde liobrálacha seo na teanga má thosaíonn muid ag cur éileamh ar an stát?

Tá taithí éigin againn air seo cheana féin. Is minic a dhéantar a mhór de na máithe móra Protastúnacha agus Oráisteacha a bhí páirteach i gConradh na Gaeilge sna luathlaethanta, nuair a bunaíodh an eagraíocht i Béal Feirste in 1895. Den chuid ba mhó bhí suim acu sa teanga agus sa chultúr mar iarsma de sheanré a bhí imithe. Níor bhac cuid acu leis an teanga a fhoghlaim fiú.

Ach níorbh fhada go raibh an Conradh i mbun feachtasaíochta go náisiúnta chun an teanga a athbheochan. D’eagraigh siad ranganna oíche agus d’éiligh siad ón stát go mbeadh ról ag an Ghaeilge sa chóras oideachais, agus níos mó. De réir a chéile d’imigh na maithe móra leo, agus d’imigh siad i bhfad roimh 1915 nuair a ghlac an Conradh le rún an Phiarsaigh ar an dlúthcheangal idir Éire a Ghaelú agus Éire a shaoradh.

Tá daoine ann a bhfuil suim acu sa Ghaeilge mar ábhar ársaíochta, a chuireann suim sna logainmneacha nó i bhfinscéalta Fhionn Mhic Chumhaill agus araile. Tá díograiseoirí ann a bhfuil an teanga mar chaitheamh aimsire acu, a chaitheann leis an Ghaeilge mar a chaithfeadh duine le bailiú stampaí nó le mionsamhlacha traenach. Is rud é a féidir leo déanamh leo féin nó i ngrúpaí beaga, agus ní chuireann siad isteach ar éinne.

Cothrom na féinne dóibh, ach dúinn ar ghníomhaithe muid, ní mór dúinn dul i ngleic leis an pholaitíocht. Gan trácht ar cheisteanna móra an díchoilíneachais agus athghabháil na hÉireann, níl easpa ábhar ann ar chóir don phobal s’againn bheith dár n-eagrú féin le dul i mbun feachtasaíochta faoi.

Bíodh sin an bus a bhfuil Coláiste Feirste go fóill ag fanacht air ón Roinn Oideachais. Bíodh sin bunú Ghaelscoileanna nua, agus aitheantas agus maoiniú ceart a fháil don earnáil. Bíodh sin an troid in éadan an Phéindlí dheiridh – an cosc ar Ghaeilge sna cúirteanna. Bíodh sin an cosc ag an Roinn Fhiontraíochta ar chomharthaí dhátheangacha i ndeisceart an Dúin. Bíodh sin an gá le fíorfhorbairt ón Roinn Chultúir – acadamh nó straitéis teanga chun go dtiocfadh le saineolaithe sochtheangeolaíochta dul i mbun pleanáil teanga don chéad uair i stair an stáitín seo.

Níl a fhios agam an mbeidh ár gcairde liobrálacha sásta teacht linn ar an turas seo. Ach bealach amháin nó bealach eile, bímis airdeallach ar na gaistí atá os ár gcomhair. Le déanaí d’fhoilsigh an Coiste um Riaradh an Cheartais (CAJ) tuairisc a dhearbhaíonn go bhfuil an stát agus áisíneachtaí éagsúla ag úsáid an dea-chaidrimh mar ghléas le bac a chur ar dul chun cinn na Gaeilge.

Sna 1980í, b’ionann ‘dípholaitiú’ na Gaeilge agus poblachtánaigh a choinneáil amach – rud a bhí iontach polaitiúil ann féin. Inniu, is ionann ‘dípholaitiú’ na Gaeilge agus an teanga a chomhshamhlú isteach i dtionscadal na Sé Chontae Nua – rud atá chomh polaitiúil céanna.

Níl spás don teanga sa tionscadal seo ach mar shiombal. Ná ligimis dóibh dearmad a dhéanamh áfach gur teanga bheo atá sa Ghaeilge go fóill, teanga a bhfuil sé de rún againn a láidriú agus a leathnú. Chun sin a bhaint amach mar phobal, beidh misneach de dhíth orainn.



‘Depoliticising Irish’ – that’s very political

I recently came across a recording from a conference organised by the community Relations Council on issues of identity and division. As part of this conference the journalist Fionola Meredith gave a talk on Irish language matters.

Now I don’t know if Fionola has much involvement in Irish language life, but as a middle-class liberal it was no surprise that she talked about how great it would be if we could separate the Irish language from politics.

That got me thinking on how widespread this argument has become in recent years. Older people will remember that the ‘depoliticisation’ of the language was a big issue in the 1980s, but with the arrival of the new dispensation and the New Stormont, new life has been put back into it. If the language were separated from politics, it’s said, there would a space for the language in the New Northern Ireland.

If we emphasise good relations over everything else, well then there will certainly be space for those who’d like to learn about Gaelic place names and surnames and Irish language heritage in general. Symbolic space, there’s no problem with that. But what would that mean for those of us who intend to revive Irish as a spoken language in the community? Where will these liberal friends of the language be if we start making demands of the state?

We have some experience of this already. Much is often made of Orange and Protestant grandees who were involved in the Gaelic League in the early days, when the organisation was established in Belfast in 1895. For the most part they were interested in the language and the culture as relics of an era long since gone. Some of them never even bothered trying to learn the language.

But it wasn’t long until the League was campaigning nationally to revive the language. They organised evening classes and demanded of the state that the Irish language be given a place in the education system, and more. Eventually the bigwigs departed, and they went long before 1915 when the League adopted Pearse’s motion on the intrinsic link between Gaelicising Ireland and freeing Ireland.

There are people who are interested in the Irish language in antiquarian terms, who are curious about place names or the myths of Fionn Mac Cumhaill and so on. There are enthusiasts for whom the language is like a hobby, who treat Irish like someone would treat stamp collecting or model trains. It’s something they can do on their own or in small groups, and they don’t annoy anybody.

Fair play to them, but for those activists among us, we need to come to grips with politics. Without going into the major issues of decolonisation or the reconquest of Ireland, there is no shortage of subjects that our community should be organising ourselves to campaign on.

Be it the bus that Coláiste Feirste is still waiting on from the Department of Education. Be it the establishment of new Irish-medium schools, and getting proper recognition and funding for that sector. Be it the fight against the ‘last Penal Law’ – the ban on Irish in the courts. Be it the ban by the Department of Enterprise on bilinguals signs in south Down. Be it the need for real progress from the Department of Culture – an academy or a language strategy so that sociolinguistic experts can set about language planning for the first time in the history of this statelet.

I don’t know if our liberal friends will be willing to come with us on this journey. But one way or another, let’s be aware of the traps laid out in front of us. The Committee of the Administration of Justice (CAJ) recently published a report that confirms the state and certain agencies have been using good relations as a tool to block the development of the Irish language.

In the 1980s, ‘depoliticising’ Irish meant keeping republicans out – something that was very political in itself. Today, ‘depoliticising’ Irish means assimilating the language into the project of the New Northern Ireland – something that is just as political.

There is no space for the language in this project except as a symbol. We can’t let them forget however that the Irish language is still a living language, that it’s a language we mean to strengthen and to propagate. To achieve this as a community, we will need courage.

Article by Ciarán Ó Brolcháin

Monday, July 1, 2013

Bank charges must be reversed

éirígí Dublin Northeast representative Ciaran Heaphey has slammed the latest series of bank charge increases.Responding to the increases, Heaphey said: "These charge increases by AIB, Ulster Bank and Bank of Ireland are totally unacceptable. 

The Irish taxpayer was forced by the Dublin Government to bail out the banks to the tune of billions of euro, yet the banks continue to increase their charges.

AIB will add an average of 75% to the charges of personal account holders per month. These bank charge increases will bring further hardship to the already hard-pressed Irish people.”

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Fingal County Council Attempts to Dump Sewage Plant in Clonshaugh



The decision by Fingal County Council to locate a massive sewage plant in Clonshaugh has been met with huge anger and frustration by thousands of affected residents in communities in Northeast Dublin. Over 10,000 objections have been made to the construction of this massive plant in Clonshaugh, yet this massive number of objections has been ignored, with virtual no consultation with local communities.
This proposed plant, the same size as Croke Park, will be located within a radius of 1km of over 2,500 homes. It will be second in size, only to the massive plant in Ringsend. The proposed build will have serious consequences for the local environment.
Speaking about the proposed plant, éirígí Dublin Northeast spokesperson Ciaran Heaphey said: ‘’The decision by Fingal County Council to locate this massive plant as close as possible on its boundary with thousands Dublin City Council residents smacks of political cronyism of the highest order. Thousands of residents in Dublin’s Northeast outside of Fingal County Council’s area will be affected by this plant. I’m sure this was the major influencing factor in their decision to locate this plant in Clonshaugh.
“The potential danger this enormous plant has for the local population and environment, are immense. From both an economical and environmental viewpoint, it would make logical sense to have much smaller localised plants built over phased period of time, as capacity requirements increase. This would be the similar approach of many countries in Europe. Yet, here in Dublin Northeast we have the continued failed planning polices based on political cronyism.’’

Heaphey concluded: ''We in éirígí will take a very active role in our communities in fiercely opposing the building of this sewage plant. éirígí intend to work with residents in Dublin Northeast in organizing a campaign of resistance to this plant. With some community spirit and enough people educating, organising and agitating we can defeat the proposed construction of this monster sewage plant.”

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Leaflet drop, Kilmore. 18/6/13

Few flicks from Tuesdays leaflet drop in the Kilmore area of Coolock, where are local issue leaflet regarding the Kilbarron Road was distributed to hundreds of homes in the area.


Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Kilbarron Road residents say no more!

The week beginning on Monday 10 June saw local residents of Kilbarron Road taking part in a protest against the huge volume of congestion and parking in their streets.

The protest was organised by locals of Kilbarron Road because of the amount of cars parked in their cul-de-sac. The majority of these cars parked are from the staff of the nearby Beaumount Hospital. The residents have been forming a human blockade from 6.30am every morning with posters declaring “No Parking Here” making sure the area will be clear and accessible for emergency services and parking for the locals.

Beaumount Hospital offers parking but at a price, the problem the residents of Kilbarron Road have is the shear amount of cars parking in the cul-de-sac. It is hard to get in and out in a case of emergencies the Fire brigade or ambulance for example. Recently in one incident refuse workers refused to go into the cul-de-sac because of the lack of space for their vehicle.
Obviously we can understand the refusal by members of staff to pay for parking, but Kilbarron Road is no longer an option. This issue is something which we in eirigi will keep on supporting over the coming weeks and months.
éirígí Dublin Northeast representative Ciaran Heaphey, who has attended the protest during the week said: “I can understand the residents' anger on this issue. I have seen personally the amount of space taken up in the mornings by the Hospital staff and I believe from what I hear talking to residents it could endanger them if there was an accident or emergency. I was delighted to join the local community and we at éirígí will do whatever we can do highlight this issue.”

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Kilbarron Road residents say no more.


On Tuesday 11 June, éirígí Dublin Northeast activists took part in the second day of a community organised protest on the Kilbarron Road, Coolock.

The protest was organised by the locals of the Kilbarron Road because of the amount of cars parked in their cul-de-sac. The majority of these cars parked are from the staff of nearby Beaumount Hospital. The residents formed a human blockade at 6.30am with posters declaring “No Parking Here” making sure the area was clear and accessible for emergency services and parking for the locals.




Beaumount Hospital offers parking but at a price, the problem the residents have is the shear amount of cars parking in the cul-de-sac it is hard to get in and out in a case of emergencies. Recently in one incident refuse workers refused to go into the cul-de-sac because of the lack of space for their vehicle.
Obviously we can understand the refusal by members of staff to pay for parking but parking off the Kilbarron Road is no longer an option and the residents have vowed to stop it because it has now reached dangerous levels.


Éirígí Dublin Northeast representative Ciaran Heaphey, who attended the protest said: ''I can understand the residents' anger on this issue. I have seen personally the amount of space taken up in the mornings by the Hospital staff and I believe it could endanger locals if there was an accident or emergency. I was delighted to join the local community and we in éirígí will continue to highlight the issue.''


Sunday, June 9, 2013

Saturday 8th of June, Information stall at Northside shopping centre.

On Saturday the 8th of June up to ten éirígí Northeast activists took part in our regular information stall at the Northside shopping centre in Coolock.

The activists handed out our local leaflet titled "Election promises abandoned in Coolock" along with stickers  aimed at highlighting our many different campaigns.

The stall went down a success as hundreds of leaflets were distributed and many locals stopped and vented their anger about their current concerns with the water tax in particular being a big issue for many locals who are outraged by the proposed charge on water.










Saturday, June 1, 2013

éirígí Dublin Northeast highlight election lies.

On Saturday the 1st of June, up to 15 members of éirígí Dublin Northeast gathered to deliver our local information leaflet to the residents in the Ardmore estate.

The leaflet titled “Election promises abandoned in Coolock” Highlights the failure of elected government politicians like Fine Gael’s Terence Flanagan to live up to their promises to the people of the greater Coolock area. The leaflet drop was received well as many residents stopped éirígí activists to have a chat about the leaflet and their general concerns.



Unsurprisingly it looks like these particular career politicians have followed suit of a long list before hand that have and will say anything to convince the electorate to get them into Leinster house. It is now time for a change and for genuine working class people to have their own say and empower themselves rather than voting for these puppets of the state.


Commenting from Coolock, éirígí Dublin Northeast spokesperson Ciaran Heaphey said “I am not one bit surprised of the actions of the Labour and Fine Gael politicians in their blatant lies to the local people, They join the majority of other government TD’s around the state who betray the people after being elected to gain a handy wage for themselves from the tax payer. “

He continued “I think this leaflet is just a small step to raising awareness of the lies told by the politicians to gain their handy salary after being put in government. I think it is time for the community to question their elected reps, ask them why they have not delivered the changes they ensured the people they would. I believe here at éirígí we are fighting for change and fighting to empower local communities, I would ask anybody who wants to fightback aswell to come and join éírígí in Dublin Northeast.”