Seán Ó Brádaigh
Encyclopedia
Seán Ó Brádaigh is an Irish republican activist.
Like his brother, Ruairí
, Seán joined Sinn Féin
at an early age.
From 1958 to 1960, he edited the party newspaper, the United Irishman
, and then became the party's Director of Publicity. During the 1960s, he worked with Roy Johnston to develop the Eire Nua
policy. Like his brother, Seán sided with the provisional wing in the split of 1970. He became the first editor of the party's new newspaper, An Phoblacht
, holding the post for two years, and also continued in his role as Director of Publicity.
In 1972, he was arrested while in the Republic of Ireland
, and charged with membership of the Irish Republican Army
. He immediately launched a hunger strike
, and was soon released due to a lack of evidence. In 1977, he was sent a book bomb, but was on holiday at the time, his brother staying at his house. Ruairí's suspicions led to the package being detonated by the Irish Army
.
Seán stood down as Director of Publicity in 1979, following a dispute with Danny Morrison over the content of the merged An Phoblacht and Republican News
, and from the party's Officer Board the following year. In 1986, he followed his brother into a new organisation, which accepted his proposal that it should be named Republican Sinn Féin
.
Like his brother, Ruairí
Ruairí Ó Brádaigh
Ruairí Ó Brádaigh is an Irish republican. He is a former chief of staff of the Irish Republican Army , former president of Sinn Féin and former president of Republican Sinn Féin.-Early life:...
, Seán joined 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...
at an early age.
From 1958 to 1960, he edited the party newspaper, the United Irishman
United Irishman
The United Irishman title has been a very popular newspaper title in Ireland and a number of newspapers have been published under the title.*...
, and then became the party's Director of Publicity. During the 1960s, he worked with Roy Johnston to develop the Eire Nua
Éire Nua
Éire Nua, or "New Ireland", was a political strategy of the Provisional IRA and Sinn Féin during the 1970s and early 1980s. It was particularly associated with the Dublin based leadership group centred around Ruairí Ó Brádaigh and Dáithí Ó Conaill who were the authors of the policy...
policy. Like his brother, Seán sided with the provisional wing in the split of 1970. He became the first editor of the party's new newspaper, An Phoblacht
An Phoblacht
An Phoblacht is the official newspaper of Sinn Féin in Ireland. It is published once a month, and according to its website sells an average of up to 15,000 copies every month and was the first Irish paper to provide an edition online and currently having in excess of 100,000 website hits per...
, holding the post for two years, and also continued in his role as Director of Publicity.
In 1972, he was arrested while 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,...
, and charged with membership of the Irish Republican Army
Irish Republican Army
The Irish Republican Army was an Irish republican revolutionary military organisation. It was descended from the Irish Volunteers, an organisation established on 25 November 1913 that staged the Easter Rising in April 1916...
. He immediately launched a hunger strike
Hunger strike
A hunger strike is a method of non-violent resistance or pressure in which participants fast as an act of political protest, or to provoke feelings of guilt in others, usually with the objective to achieve a specific goal, such as a policy change. Most hunger strikers will take liquids but not...
, and was soon released due to a lack of evidence. In 1977, he was sent a book bomb, but was on holiday at the time, his brother staying at his house. Ruairí's suspicions led to the package being detonated by the Irish Army
Irish Army
The Irish Army, officially named simply the Army is the main branch of the Defence Forces of Ireland. Approximately 8,500 men and women serve in the Irish Army, divided into three infantry Brigades...
.
Seán stood down as Director of Publicity in 1979, following a dispute with Danny Morrison over the content of the merged An Phoblacht and Republican News
Republican News
Republican News was a longstanding newspaper/magazine published by Sinn Féin. Following the split in physical force Irish republicanism in the late 1960s between the Officials and the Provisionals Republican News was a longstanding newspaper/magazine published by Sinn Féin. Following the split in...
, and from the party's Officer Board the following year. In 1986, he followed his brother into a new organisation, which accepted his proposal that it should be named Republican Sinn Féin
Republican Sinn Féin
Republican Sinn Féin or RSF is an unregisteredAlthough an active movement, RSF is not registered as a political party in either Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland. minor political party operating in Ireland. It emerged in 1986 as a result of a split in Sinn Féin...
.