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.”