Post by voxpopuli on Oct 13, 2006 7:56:13 GMT
Open Letter to Jack Holland from Gino Gallagher
The Irish Post, July 29, 1995
In The Irish Post of July 1, I read an article written by Jack Holland. The article was a malicious and repugnant attack on the Republican Socialist Movement and myself. I would therefore appreciate the opportunity to reply to that article in an open letter to Jack.
He describes the IRSP as a fiction and makes snide remarks about "initials out of the past". Obviously the recent rejuvenation of the party and subsequent barrage of IRSP statements to the Irish Times and media in general clearly annoys our Jack.
Now the Republican Socialist Movement would be the first to accept its faults of the past, its certain aspects of neglect and difficulties of politics from within that movement. But this in no way negates the commitment of its membership and its political position is by no means confused.
The INLA statement of clarification on May 1 was crystal clear. The group suspended military operations to facilitate dialogue. That suspension has been and is ongoing. The IRSP has stated that it remains to be convinced of the legitimacy of the whole peace process. It totally distrusts the British and their response to the republican peace initiative. Jack's bile in The Irish Post was reflective of his own failed political ambitions than a serious objective analysis of the Republican Socialist Movement.
He states that: Gino represents 20 or 30 people in the North and a handful south of the border." Well, on travelling North only recently, I stopped in Dundalk and had the pleasure of meeting between 20 and 25 activists from that area alone. So Jack may carry out a recount.
In the article there is also a reference to my handshake with Brit minister Ancram at a recent conference. At least this is accurate. And, yes, the handshake does not change much, nor was it intended to. The RSM remains where it has always been - within the Irish working class.
He also states: "Oh yes, Gino, I remember him, but when last we had the pleasure of meeting I certainly wasn't aware of him as a leading IRSP member. Nor did he offer to shake hands with me."
Jack's objectivity and powers of investigative journalism totally collapse here. His account of me not offering to shake his hand and how he remembers me is amusing. I am also not surprised that he is unaware of my position in the IRSP because the reality of the situation is this: Jack Holland has never met me in his life.
To finish, whether the INLA and IRSP is or was a revolutionary organisation is a matter of political debate. Given his blatant and continuous anti-RSM remarks, inaccuracies and also his association with a book, INLA, Deadly Divisions, notable for its bias, partiality and sensationalism and for being under-researched, Jack Holland would have no meaningful role to play in such a debate.
Geno Gallagher
Belfast.
The Irish Post, July 29, 1995
In The Irish Post of July 1, I read an article written by Jack Holland. The article was a malicious and repugnant attack on the Republican Socialist Movement and myself. I would therefore appreciate the opportunity to reply to that article in an open letter to Jack.
He describes the IRSP as a fiction and makes snide remarks about "initials out of the past". Obviously the recent rejuvenation of the party and subsequent barrage of IRSP statements to the Irish Times and media in general clearly annoys our Jack.
Now the Republican Socialist Movement would be the first to accept its faults of the past, its certain aspects of neglect and difficulties of politics from within that movement. But this in no way negates the commitment of its membership and its political position is by no means confused.
The INLA statement of clarification on May 1 was crystal clear. The group suspended military operations to facilitate dialogue. That suspension has been and is ongoing. The IRSP has stated that it remains to be convinced of the legitimacy of the whole peace process. It totally distrusts the British and their response to the republican peace initiative. Jack's bile in The Irish Post was reflective of his own failed political ambitions than a serious objective analysis of the Republican Socialist Movement.
He states that: Gino represents 20 or 30 people in the North and a handful south of the border." Well, on travelling North only recently, I stopped in Dundalk and had the pleasure of meeting between 20 and 25 activists from that area alone. So Jack may carry out a recount.
In the article there is also a reference to my handshake with Brit minister Ancram at a recent conference. At least this is accurate. And, yes, the handshake does not change much, nor was it intended to. The RSM remains where it has always been - within the Irish working class.
He also states: "Oh yes, Gino, I remember him, but when last we had the pleasure of meeting I certainly wasn't aware of him as a leading IRSP member. Nor did he offer to shake hands with me."
Jack's objectivity and powers of investigative journalism totally collapse here. His account of me not offering to shake his hand and how he remembers me is amusing. I am also not surprised that he is unaware of my position in the IRSP because the reality of the situation is this: Jack Holland has never met me in his life.
To finish, whether the INLA and IRSP is or was a revolutionary organisation is a matter of political debate. Given his blatant and continuous anti-RSM remarks, inaccuracies and also his association with a book, INLA, Deadly Divisions, notable for its bias, partiality and sensationalism and for being under-researched, Jack Holland would have no meaningful role to play in such a debate.
Geno Gallagher
Belfast.
Oh and im going to rob your sig haha