Dublin Housing Action Committee
Encyclopedia
The Dublin Housing Action Committee was a 1960s protest against housing shortages in Ireland's capital city.
It arose from a serious shortage of affordable housing, combined with a large number of properties standing empty. It also functioned as a way for a broad range of left-wingers in the Republic of Ireland
to address themselves to a wider audience. This was at a time when nothing much was happening in Northern Ireland and a renewed IRA
campaign would have seemed very unlikely.
The Secretary of the committee was Dennis Dennehy (then a member of the Irish Communist Organisation). He had been imprisoned for squatting and also went on hunger strike. After a big protest, he was released and helped support an extensive program of squatting in private-owner properties. Other prominent members were Sean MacStiofain and Seán Ó Cionnaith
of Sinn Féin
(both later took opposing sides in the 1970 split), Michael O'Riordan
, Proinsias De Rossa
, Mairin de Burca, Sam Nolan, , Margaret Gaj and Fr Austin Flannery.
The DHAC called for a housing emergency to be declared, a prohibition on demolishing sound living accommodation, and an immediate halt to the building of prestige office blocks.
The DHAC also inspired similar campaigns, such as the Derry Housing Action Committee
and the Cork Housing Action Committee. The latter organisation protested during a banquet held by the Taoiseach
Jack Lynch
, calling for Dennehy's release.
The Committee was accused of being an 'IRA offshoot', but this seems very unlikely although many Sinn Féin members were involved in the campaign. Those involved took different and often critical attitudes towards the IRA when their campaign started.
It arose from a serious shortage of affordable housing, combined with a large number of properties standing empty. It also functioned as a way for a broad range of left-wingers in the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
to address themselves to a wider audience. This was at a time when nothing much was happening in Northern Ireland and a renewed IRA
Irish Republican Army (1922–1969)
The original Irish Republican Army fought a guerrilla war against British rule in Ireland in the Irish War of Independence 1919–1921. Following the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty on 6 December 1921, the IRA in the 26 counties that were to become the Irish Free State split between supporters and...
campaign would have seemed very unlikely.
The Secretary of the committee was Dennis Dennehy (then a member of the Irish Communist Organisation). He had been imprisoned for squatting and also went on hunger strike. After a big protest, he was released and helped support an extensive program of squatting in private-owner properties. Other prominent members were Sean MacStiofain and Seán Ó Cionnaith
Seán Ó Cionnaith
Seán Ó Cionnaith was an Irish socialist republican politician, and a prominent member of The Workers' Party....
of Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin is a left wing, Irish republican political party in Ireland. The name is Irish for "ourselves" or "we ourselves", although it is frequently mistranslated as "ourselves alone". Originating in the Sinn Féin organisation founded in 1905 by Arthur Griffith, it took its current form in 1970...
(both later took opposing sides in the 1970 split), Michael O'Riordan
Michael O'Riordan
Michael O'Riordan was the founder of the Communist Party of Ireland and also fought with the Connolly Column in the International Brigades during the Spanish Civil War.-Early life:...
, Proinsias De Rossa
Proinsias De Rossa
Proinsias De Rossa is an Irish Labour Party politician and Member of the European Parliament for the Dublin constituency. He a former President of the Workers' Party and subsequently leader of Democratic Left, and later, a senior member of the Labour Party. He was Minister for Social Welfare from...
, Mairin de Burca, Sam Nolan, , Margaret Gaj and Fr Austin Flannery.
The DHAC called for a housing emergency to be declared, a prohibition on demolishing sound living accommodation, and an immediate halt to the building of prestige office blocks.
The DHAC also inspired similar campaigns, such as the Derry Housing Action Committee
Derry Housing Action Committee
The Derry Housing Action Committee , was an organisation formed in 1968 in Derry, Northern Ireland to protest about housing conditions and provision....
and the Cork Housing Action Committee. The latter organisation protested during a banquet held by the Taoiseach
Taoiseach
The Taoiseach is the head of government or prime minister of Ireland. The Taoiseach is appointed by the President upon the nomination of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas , and must, in order to remain in office, retain the support of a majority in the Dáil.The current Taoiseach is...
Jack Lynch
Jack Lynch
John Mary "Jack" Lynch was the Taoiseach of Ireland, serving two terms in office; from 1966 to 1973 and 1977 to 1979....
, calling for Dennehy's release.
The Committee was accused of being an 'IRA offshoot', but this seems very unlikely although many Sinn Féin members were involved in the campaign. Those involved took different and often critical attitudes towards the IRA when their campaign started.
External links
- Comment by a founder member
- http://www.searcs-web.com/oriod.html Role of Michael O'RiordanMichael O'RiordanMichael O'Riordan was the founder of the Communist Party of Ireland and also fought with the Connolly Column in the International Brigades during the Spanish Civil War.-Early life:...
- http://www.workersrepublic.org/Pages/Ireland/Communism/cpihistory4.html A history of communism in Ireland
- http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/special/1999/statepapers/cathaoir.htm Irish Times comment on the alleged IRA link
- http://www.indymedia.ie/newswire.php?story_id=29284 Obituary of Sean O CionnaithSeán Ó CionnaithSeán Ó Cionnaith was an Irish socialist republican politician, and a prominent member of The Workers' Party....