Léargas: A Podcast by Gerry Adams

Threat to Neutrality must be challenged Last June Micheál Martin, the then Taoiseach attacked the decades long neutrality policy of the Irish state. He claimed that; “We need to reflect on military non-alignment in Ireland and our military neutrality. We are not politically neutral …,” And Martin cast aside any pretence that the people should have a say in this when he said: “We don’t need a referendum to join NATO. That’s a policy decision of government.” Double standards For a...

2 Jul 202313min

Moore St The threat of demolition to parts of the Moore St Terrace - that played a central role in the Easter Rising - has increased significantly. Last month the Executive of Dublin City Council rejected a motion by Councillors that Number 18 Moore St should be designated a Protected Structure. The Councillors had previously passed a motion in support of this. Coffin Ships Eight years ago the death of two year old Alan Kurdi brought a focus on the refugee tragedy that has turned the Medit...

25 Jun 202317min

St. Comgall’s and Eileen Howell St. Comgall’s/Ionad Eileen Howell in Divis St. will be formally opened next week on Thursday the 22 June. In honour and memory of Eileen the refurbished building is being named after her. The multi-million pound project has been 21 years in the making. The transformation of what was for many years a derelict building has been amazing. All of those who have contributed in any way to its successful renovation should be very proud of their efforts....

18 Jun 202320min

ON YOUR BIKE. I have given my good bike away. This marks a defining moment in my life. My good bike sat in the backyard for almost a year. That’s the last time I was out on it. A year ago. It was dawning on me that my cycling days were over except for occassional sorties on a Greenway in some secluded place. But I was reluctant to face up to that. It seemed to me that as long as I held on to my good bike I held on to the possibility of venturing forth on it. Once ...

11 Jun 202317min

In March 1984 I was shot as I and four friends drove from Belfast Court. We were driving up May St. at the back of the City Hall when our car was fired on from a passing vehicle. Four of us – myself, Sean Keenan, Joe Keenan, and Kevin Rooney - were hit. Bob Murray escaped injury. I was wounded in the neck, shoulder and upper body. We were blessed by incompetent assassins, UDA members and surrogates of the British system. -- May marked the 75th anniversary of the Nakba ...

4 Jun 202321min

Ar Slí An Fhirinne. It’s the age we’re at I tell myself and my declining peer group as we attend funeral after funeral this last wee while. The great wheel of life is now turning for our generation. This phase started with Colette’s sister Martha. Martha was eighty five. The matriarch of the Mallon family. A kind, strong, gentle woman who lived on through Parkinson’s and the loss of her husband Jim and their son Jim. Martha was ferried between Andytown and Donegal and Spain by he...

28 Mai 202315min

The People’s Priest: Fr. Des Wilson died in November 2019. I first met him in 1968. His long life was dedicated to helping people. During the years of conflict, he stood with the Upper Springfield community against the aggression and violence of the British state forces. He gave comfort and solidarity to those in need and was hugely respected and loved.Have your say on the future of Ireland Future of Ireland: The Commission on the Future of Ireland was established by Sinn Féin ...

21 Mai 202317min

Candidatitis: This syndrome is capable of moving even the most rational aspirant or shy wallflower into a state of extreme self belief. It strikes without warning, is no respecter of gender, and can infect the lowly municipal hopeful, the aspiring Parliamentarian, as well as the lofty presidential wannabe. Solidarity with Palestinian people I want to extend my solidarity and condolences to the Palestinian people and especially to the family of Khader Adnan who died on the 2 May last ...

14 Mai 202317min