ODSMedia

Dáithí Ó Conaill a leading figure in revolutionary Irish politics from the 1950s until his death in 1991. He was one of the most ablest minds to have struggled for Irish freedom.

UTV interviewing Provisional Sinn Féin members in the run up to the 1986 Árd Fhéis. Among interviewed are Ruairí Ó Brádaigh, Alex Maskey, Tommy Carroll, Bairbre De Brún. "I believe If this proposal is accepted at the Árd Fhéis, that it will tilt the balance in favour of constitutionalism and away from the revolutionary path". - RÓB

Ruairí Ó Brádaigh, former Sinn Féin President and Chief-of-Staff of the Irish Republican Army, talks with Máirtín Tom Sheáinín about his life as a republican. 0:00 Sheáinín introduces the show and guest 0:45 Ó Brádaigh's family background 1:32 His introduction to Irish Republicanism 2:36 The Republican activities of his parents 4:48 The influence of Ó Brádaigh's stepfather Pádraig Ó Tuathaigh 6:33 Ó Brádaigh's teaching career 8:32 Involvement in electoral campaigns 8:57 His election to the Third Dáil while imprisoned 10:48 Escape from the Curragh internment camp 12:11 Ó Brádaigh's wife and family 14:08 IRA activities and the arms raid in Arborfield, England 18:54 Warrenpoint ambush and the killing of Mountbatten 22:29 Sinn Féin Poblachtach and the peace process 23:54 "Do you hate England?" 24:29 Sheáinín concludes the interview

The following interview with RÓB prior to his end of term as President of Republican Sinn Féin with journalist Tom McGurk.

Ruairí giving his analysis in the the run up to the Belfast Agreement outlining what would invariably happen to the Provisional movement.

RÓB interview in 1999, then President of Republican Sinn Féin.

RÓB's address at the 1986 Sinn Féin Ard Fhéis. This was to be a very important address as RÓB representing the traditional position of revolutionary Irish Republicanism fought to ensure that the position of revolutionaries did not change. The Adams / McGuinness leadership argued for entering the reformist institution of Leinster House. This as argued by RÓB would lead the Provisional Sinn Féin party being absorbed into the system of partition. After the vote was lost, RÓB led the revolutionaries out of the Ard Fhéis were they re-organised as Republican Sinn Féin.

Various clips of news interviews with the late Irish Republican Revolutionary, Ruairí Ó Brádaigh.

In 1969 there was a major split in the Republican Movement. Between those who wanted to enter the partitionist assemblies of Leinster House and Stormont and those who determined to stay loyal to the Irish Republic elected in 1918. What would come about was the Official & Provisional Republican Movements.

Following the 1986 split in "Provisional" Sinn Féin. Delegates opposed to entering the partitionist assemble of Leinster House walked out and re-organised as Republican Sinn Féin. Here is audio from the then Republican Sinn Féin President Ruairí Ó Brádaigh renewing allegiance to the all Ireland Republic Proclaimed in 1916 and endorsed by the people of Ireland the last time there was an All Ireland election in 1918.

Gerry Adams, in his role as President of Provisional Sinn Féin has long distanced himself from the IRA in terms of active service. It is not a surprise as an Omertà always surrounded the position of a Volunteers rank with the public. However many previous Vols when active service was over were proud of their service, shared experiences and marked respect for fallen comrades. Many Volunteers have stated they carried out actions for Gerry Adams, actions which only led to the betrayal of the Movement by the Adams & McGuinness Leadership. Des Long was a former Volunteer and member of the IRA Army Executive. Here he gives his opinion.

News report of a successful ambushed launched in Belfast by the Irish Republican Army in 1994.

Volunteers of a Tyrone Brigade, Irish Republican Army shoot down a British Gazelle Chopper in the Tyrone countryside on 11 February 1990.

South Armagh Brigade, Irish Republican Army kill 5 British soldiers in a landmine attack at Altnaveigh, County Down on 19 May 1981.

A report about one of many Shoot to Kill operations carried out by the British SAS against members of the East Tyrone Brigade of Óglaigh na hÉireann (IRA) on May 8th 1987. The Volunteers killed at Loughgall were Declan Arthurs (21), Tony Gormley (24), Eugene Kelly (25), Pádraig McKearney (32), Jim Lynagh (31), Gerard O'Callaghan (28), Seamus Donnelly (19) and unit commander Patrick Joseph Kelly (30). The eight volunteers killed in the ambush became known as the "Loughgall Martyrs". Fuair siad bás ar son Saoirse na hÉireann.

A short preview of a film called "Twilight Graves". This was released in memory of IRA Volunteers David Devine & Michael Devine and Charlie Breslin. These braves sons of Ireland were killed while on active service for the Irish Republican Army. Murdered by the shoot to kill policy by the SAS in Strabane in the month of February 1985. It would later transpire they were set up by an informer within the local ranks of IRA. The film was released on the 25th Anniversary of their deaths in 2010. May they rest in peace, Fuair siad bás ar son Saoirse na hÉireann.