Dispute erupts over the IRA’s history as SF criticised for selling gunmen souvenirs

A former Sinn Fein PR chief has claimed that the republican party “negotiated the Good Friday Agreement” amid a row about the sale of IRA memorabilia.
Just some of the Sinn Fein merchandise on saleJust some of the Sinn Fein merchandise on sale
Just some of the Sinn Fein merchandise on sale

Seán MacBrádaigh (whose Twitter handle is @SMacB) was reacting to a statement of condemnation from Fine Gael, which attacked Sinn Fein for its ongoing promotion of republican merchandise on its bookshop.

The Dublin-based shop sells everything from Bobby Sands-branded clothing to starry-plough flags.

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Fine Gael senator Mary Seery-Kearney was particularly aggrieved about a pin badge showing men in a truck with an Irish tricolour flying from the vehicle, and what looks like a Bren-style machine gun.

The truck bears the words ‘Irish Republican Army’.

The News Letter has pointed out many times the fact that the shop sells material bearing the emblems of the Provisionals.

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A statement from the senator said “the continuing sale of IRA memorabilia on the Sinn Féin online shop is a clear example of who and what are really behind the party”.

She dubbed the badge “an insult to the victims of the Troubles”.

She said: “Who controls Sinn Féin? Does Sinn Féin recognise there is only one army in this country – Óglaigh na hÉireann – the Irish Defence Forces?

“A truly united Ireland must be a place where all members of society feel welcome; from all backgrounds.

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“As Sinn Féin clearly have not yet learned this, it begs the question as to what society they envisage for those who do not hail from a nationalist background.

“The establishment of a United Island Unit in the Department of the Taoiseach under this Government will allow these questions to be considered with the respect they deserve.

“We cannot rush into a border poll, nor can we allow Sinn Féin to drive the narrative on this issue. No one has a monopoly on wanting a United Ireland, let alone those who cannot detach themselves from violence.”

A number of people came to the defence of Sinn Fein on Twitter.

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Among them was Mr MacBrádaigh, who is the former communications director of Sinn Fein and ex-editor of An Phoblacht.

Speaking of the lorry pin badge, he said in response to Ms Seery-Kearney: “It depicts the ambush in which Sean Sabhat [aka Sean South] and Fearghal O’Hanlon died.

“The Sean Sabhat of the popular ballad, sung by many members of the Irish soccer team over the years and by former manager, an Englishman – Jack Charlton.

No doubt it has been sung by members of your own party!

“Oh... And it’s not a ‘van’. It’s a lorry. As in # ‘A lorryload of Volunteers approached a border town’ #.”

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He also went on to add: “Sinn Féin negotiated the GFA. The badge depicts an event from Irish history - 1957...

“50% +1% is the democratic mechanism for unity in The Good Friday Agreement. It can’t and won’t be changed.

“The GFA ended a 30-year war. Republicans compromised in 1998. Without the 50%+1 mechanism, there would have been no Agreement.

“Very dangerous to talk about changing that!!”

Another defender of Sinn Fein was Joe Dwyer (@JoeEDwyer), who describes himself as “Sinn Fein London office”.

“The desperation of this,” he said.

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“Can tell they’re rattled when they resort to non-stories like this. You’d think they’d have learnt.

“Shock horror, Sinn Féin Shop sells republican badges. Unlike others, Sinn Féin knows & *is proud* of the history of republican resistance & struggle.”

The News Letter is awaiting a statement directly from Sinn Fein.

READ MORE FROM THIS REPORTER:

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