Saor Éire (1967-1975)
Encyclopedia
Saor Éire was an armed, radical Irish Republican
organisation composed of Trotskyists
and ex-IRA
members. It took its name from a similar organisation
of the 1930s.
Formed in 1967, its leaders included Peter Graham and Maureen Keegan of the Young Socialists (originally the youth wing of the Irish Labour Party
), Gerry Lawless of the Irish Workers Group, and Frank Keane, former Commandant of the Dublin Brigade of the IRA. Graham was a member of the United Secretariat of the Fourth International, and Keegan was active in Paris
in May 1968. Saor Éire was intended as an urban guerrilla
group. Its leaders believed that the working class
was key to the armed struggle. Its sole political statement was the Saor Éire Manifesto published in May 1971 (printed by the Red Mole).
Between 1967 and 1970, Saor Éire carried out a number of bank robberies
, the proceeds being used to purchase arms. The group provided arms, training and funding to Nationalists
in Northern Ireland
after the outbreak of the Troubles
in 1969. A raid on two banks in Newry
in County Down
in March 1969 netted £22,000, the biggest single haul from a robbery in the country at the time. In February 1970 the group took over the village of Rathdrum
in County Wicklow
, stopping traffic and cutting phone lines, and robbed the local bank.
On 3 April 1970, in the course of a bank robbery in Dublin, a police officer
, Garda
Richard Fallon (Garda)
, was shot and killed. He was the first member of the Irish security forces to die in the Troubles. Allegations of Irish Government connections with Saor Éire were made in the Dáil (Irish Parliament) immediately afterwards and over the following years. Three men, Sean Morrissey, Patrick Francis Keane and Joseph Dillon were tried for the murder and were acquitted.
Over thirty years after his death, the family of Garda Fallon accused the Irish Government of assisting members of Saor Éire in escaping after the murder. Previously secret Irish Government files made available in 2006 confirmed the sighting of Jock Haughey, brother of the former Taoiseach
Charles Haughey
, in the company of a member of Saor Éire in London during the period before the Arms Trial. The Irish Government has refused to hold a public inquiry into the matter and possible State collusion with members of the organisation.
On 13 October 1970 Liam Walsh, a member of Saor Éire, died in a premature bomb explosion on a railway embankment in Dublin.
Peter Graham was assassinated in Dublin on 25 October 1971 in what was referred to at the time as an internecine dispute about a large sum of money. His killers were never brought to justice. Among the mourners at his funeral, along with leading Republicans and left-wingers, were Tariq Ali
of the International Marxist Group
and Charlie Bird
, previously a member of the Young Socialists and later a news correspondent for RTÉ television. A photograph of the funeral shows Ali and Bird giving a clenched fist
salute at the grave.
Maureen Keegan died of cancer in 1972. By then many of the members believed that the organisation had been taken over by gangster
s and was losing sight of its original objectives. Saor Éire prisoners in Portlaoise Prison
issued a statement on 18 May 1973 announcing their resignation from the organisation because of the actions of 'undesirable elements'.
On the 10 June 1975, Larry White, a leading Saor Éire activist from Cork was shot several times on Mount Eden Road. He died of his injuries a short time later. The Official IRA
are widely believed to have been responsible for the killing with a number of members claiming that White had aided the INLA in shooting and injuring Sean Garland
in Ballymun
in March of that year. In 1976 number of members of Official Republican Movement were convicted of the murder of Larry White among them Bernard Lynch (the husband of Labour party TD Kathleen Lynch) the case was later quashed on the basis of evidence at the original trial was no longer admissible.
Saor Éire was officially disbanded in 1975.
In 1977, following the assassination of INLA/IRSP
leader Seamus Costello
, a newspaper said it had received a phonecall from a man alleging to be a spokesperson for the group. The caller stated that Saor Éire claimed responsibility for killing Costello although it is widely accepted that the Official IRA
were responsible.
Irish Republicanism
Irish republicanism is an ideology based on the belief that all of Ireland should be an independent republic.In 1801, under the Act of Union, the Kingdom of Great Britain and the Kingdom of Ireland merged to form the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland...
organisation composed of Trotskyists
Trotskyism
Trotskyism is the theory of Marxism as advocated by Leon Trotsky. Trotsky considered himself an orthodox Marxist and Bolshevik-Leninist, arguing for the establishment of a vanguard party of the working-class...
and ex-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...
members. It took its name from a similar organisation
Saor Éire
Saor Éire was a left-wing political organisation established in September 1931 by communist-leaning members of the Irish Republican Army, with the backing of the IRA leadership. Notable among its founders was Peadar O'Donnell, former editor of An Phoblacht and a leading left-wing figure in the...
of the 1930s.
Formed in 1967, its leaders included Peter Graham and Maureen Keegan of the Young Socialists (originally the youth wing of the Irish Labour Party
Labour Party (Ireland)
The Labour Party is a social-democratic political party in the Republic of Ireland. The Labour Party was founded in 1912 in Clonmel, County Tipperary, by James Connolly, James Larkin and William X. O'Brien as the political wing of the Irish Trade Union Congress. Unlike the other main Irish...
), Gerry Lawless of the Irish Workers Group, and Frank Keane, former Commandant of the Dublin Brigade of the IRA. Graham was a member of the United Secretariat of the Fourth International, and Keegan was active in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
in May 1968. Saor Éire was intended as an urban guerrilla
Urban guerrilla warfare
Urban guerrilla redirects here. For the Hawkwind song, see Urban Guerrilla.Urban guerrilla refers to someone who fights a government using unconventional warfare in an urban environment...
group. Its leaders believed that the working class
Working class
Working class is a term used in the social sciences and in ordinary conversation to describe those employed in lower tier jobs , often extending to those in unemployment or otherwise possessing below-average incomes...
was key to the armed struggle. Its sole political statement was the Saor Éire Manifesto published in May 1971 (printed by the Red Mole).
Between 1967 and 1970, Saor Éire carried out a number of bank robberies
Bank robbery
Bank robbery is the crime of stealing from a bank during opening hours. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Uniform Crime Reporting Program, robbery is "the taking or attempting to take anything of value from the care, custody, or control of a person or persons by force or threat of...
, the proceeds being used to purchase arms. The group provided arms, training and funding to Nationalists
Irish nationalism
Irish nationalism manifests itself in political and social movements and in sentiment inspired by a love for Irish culture, language and history, and as a sense of pride in Ireland and in the Irish people...
in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
after the outbreak of the Troubles
The Troubles
The Troubles was a period of ethno-political conflict in Northern Ireland which spilled over at various times into England, the Republic of Ireland, and mainland Europe. The duration of the Troubles is conventionally dated from the late 1960s and considered by many to have ended with the Belfast...
in 1969. A raid on two banks in Newry
Newry
Newry is a city in Northern Ireland. The River Clanrye, which runs through the city, formed the historic border between County Armagh and County Down. It is from Belfast and from Dublin. Newry had a population of 27,433 at the 2001 Census, while Newry and Mourne Council Area had a population...
in County Down
County Down
-Cities:*Belfast *Newry -Large towns:*Dundonald*Newtownards*Bangor-Medium towns:...
in March 1969 netted £22,000, the biggest single haul from a robbery in the country at the time. In February 1970 the group took over the village of Rathdrum
Rathdrum, County Wicklow
Rathdrum is a village in County Wicklow, Ireland. It is situated high on the western side of the Avonmore river valley, which flows through the Vale of Clara.-People:Born in Rathdrum:...
in County Wicklow
County Wicklow
County Wicklow is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Wicklow, which derives from the Old Norse name Víkingalág or Wykynlo. Wicklow County Council is the local authority for the county...
, stopping traffic and cutting phone lines, and robbed the local bank.
On 3 April 1970, in the course of a bank robbery in Dublin, a police officer
Police officer
A police officer is a warranted employee of a police force...
, Garda
Garda Síochána
, more commonly referred to as the Gardaí , is the police force of Ireland. The service is headed by the Commissioner who is appointed by the Irish Government. Its headquarters are located in the Phoenix Park in Dublin.- Terminology :...
Richard Fallon (Garda)
Richard Fallon
Richard Fallon was an Irish police officer who received the Scott Medal. He was the first member of the Garda Síochána to be killed as a result of the Troubles.-Biography:...
, was shot and killed. He was the first member of the Irish security forces to die in the Troubles. Allegations of Irish Government connections with Saor Éire were made in the Dáil (Irish Parliament) immediately afterwards and over the following years. Three men, Sean Morrissey, Patrick Francis Keane and Joseph Dillon were tried for the murder and were acquitted.
Over thirty years after his death, the family of Garda Fallon accused the Irish Government of assisting members of Saor Éire in escaping after the murder. Previously secret Irish Government files made available in 2006 confirmed the sighting of Jock Haughey, brother of the former 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...
Charles Haughey
Charles Haughey
Charles James "Charlie" Haughey was Taoiseach of Ireland, serving three terms in office . He was also the fourth leader of Fianna Fáil...
, in the company of a member of Saor Éire in London during the period before the Arms Trial. The Irish Government has refused to hold a public inquiry into the matter and possible State collusion with members of the organisation.
On 13 October 1970 Liam Walsh, a member of Saor Éire, died in a premature bomb explosion on a railway embankment in Dublin.
Peter Graham was assassinated in Dublin on 25 October 1971 in what was referred to at the time as an internecine dispute about a large sum of money. His killers were never brought to justice. Among the mourners at his funeral, along with leading Republicans and left-wingers, were Tariq Ali
Tariq Ali
Tariq Ali , , is a British Pakistani military historian, novelist, journalist, filmmaker, public intellectual, political campaigner, activist, and commentator...
of the International Marxist Group
International Marxist Group
The International Marxist Group was a Trotskyist group in Britain between 1968 and 1982. It was the British Section of the Fourth International. It and its youth organisation had had around 1,000 members and supporters in the late 1970s...
and Charlie Bird
Charlie Bird
Charles "Charlie" Bird is an Irish journalist and broadcaster. He was Chief News Correspondent with RTÉ News and Current Affairs until January 2009. He took up the role of Washington Correspondent, but prematurely returned to his earlier post in Ireland in June 2010.-Early life:Bird was born in...
, previously a member of the Young Socialists and later a news correspondent for RTÉ television. A photograph of the funeral shows Ali and Bird giving a clenched fist
Clenched fist
The raised fist is a symbol of solidarity and support. It is also used as a salute to express unity, strength, defiance, or resistance. The salute dates back to ancient Assyria as a symbol of resistance in the face of violence.-History:Assyrian depictions of the goddess Ishtar show her raising a...
salute at the grave.
Maureen Keegan died of cancer in 1972. By then many of the members believed that the organisation had been taken over by gangster
Gangster
A gangster is a criminal who is a member of a gang. Some gangs are considered to be part of organized crime. Gangsters are also called mobsters, a term derived from mob and the suffix -ster....
s and was losing sight of its original objectives. Saor Éire prisoners in Portlaoise Prison
Portlaoise Prison
Portlaoise Prison is the Republic of Ireland's only high security prison. It is located in Portlaoise, County Laois. It should not be confused with the Midlands Prison, which is a newer, medium security prison situated directly beside it....
issued a statement on 18 May 1973 announcing their resignation from the organisation because of the actions of 'undesirable elements'.
On the 10 June 1975, Larry White, a leading Saor Éire activist from Cork was shot several times on Mount Eden Road. He died of his injuries a short time later. The Official IRA
Official IRA
The Official Irish Republican Army or Official IRA is an Irish republican paramilitary group whose goal was to create a "32-county workers' republic" in Ireland. It emerged from a split in the Irish Republican Army in December 1969, shortly after the beginning of "The Troubles"...
are widely believed to have been responsible for the killing with a number of members claiming that White had aided the INLA in shooting and injuring Sean Garland
Seán Garland
Seán Garland is a former President of the Workers' Party in Ireland.-Early Life:Born at Belvedere Place, off Mountjoy Square in Dublin, Garland joined the Irish Republican Army in 1953. In 1954, he briefly joined the British Army as an IRA agent and collected intelligence on Gough Barracks in...
in Ballymun
Ballymun
Ballymun is an area on Dublin's Northside close to Dublin Airport, Ireland. It is infamous for the Ballymun flats, which became a symbol of poverty, drugs, alienation from the state and social problems in Ireland from the 1970s...
in March of that year. In 1976 number of members of Official Republican Movement were convicted of the murder of Larry White among them Bernard Lynch (the husband of Labour party TD Kathleen Lynch) the case was later quashed on the basis of evidence at the original trial was no longer admissible.
Saor Éire was officially disbanded in 1975.
In 1977, following the assassination of INLA/IRSP
Irish Republican Socialist Party
The Irish Republican Socialist Party or IRSP is a republican socialist party active in Ireland. It claims the legacy of socialist revolutionary James Connolly, who founded the Irish Socialist Republican Party in 1896 and was executed after the Easter Rising of 1916.- History :The Irish Republican...
leader Seamus Costello
Seamus Costello
Seamus Costello was a leader of Official Sinn Féin and the Official Irish Republican Army and latterly of the Irish Republican Socialist Party and the Irish National Liberation Army ....
, a newspaper said it had received a phonecall from a man alleging to be a spokesperson for the group. The caller stated that Saor Éire claimed responsibility for killing Costello although it is widely accepted that the Official IRA
Official IRA
The Official Irish Republican Army or Official IRA is an Irish republican paramilitary group whose goal was to create a "32-county workers' republic" in Ireland. It emerged from a split in the Irish Republican Army in December 1969, shortly after the beginning of "The Troubles"...
were responsible.
External links
- The Blanket - A Little Known Republican Military Group: Saor Eire
- video showing an interview with a member of Saor Eire
- Peter Graham Funeral, 30 October 1971, Dublin Opinion Blog. Retrieved 2010-02-02.