Issue 002, Saoirse : Irish Freedom (June, 1987)

              irish freedom uimh 2 meitheamh — june 1987 20p radical vote increases in 26 cos in spite of rte's section 31 ban and a complete black-out by the newspapers republican sinn fein took an active part in the campaign against the single european act putting up 5,000 posters distributing 100,000 leaflets canvassing and holding public meetings republican sinn fein is gratified that in the short time available and against the combined forces and resources of all the main political parties together with eec agencies official and unofficial the basic radical vote in the 26 counties has increased by 113,000 from 212,000 on a poll of 71 in 1972 to 324,977 on a much lower poll of 44 in 1987 similarly and in general terms the pro eec vote has shrunk from 1 060,000 to 755,425 n the same period the four major parties who campaigned for a yes vote and claimed 95 of representation have been shown to have secured only 31 % of those entitled to vote alternative politics the emergence of a substantial radical vote of 324,977 in a period of clear disillusionment with leinster house politics points towards a widespread desire for the development of an alternative kind of politics clare republican sinn fein were extremely active and addressed after mass meetings on the weekend before the poll the highlight was a public meeting in the square ennis on saturday may 23 at the height of the fleadh nua organised by comhaltas ceoltoiri eireann a packed audience heard cathaoirleach michael hegarty clarecastle introduce to page 3 what has changed since the hillsborough deal ruc baton mourners at finbar mckenna's funeral on may 6 last bodenstown 1987 sunday june 14 assemble sallins field 2.30pm braid pat ward donegal cathaoir liam cotter kerry eagar peter cunningham dublin contact 21 shaw street or your local paper seller for details of buses ceili dinnear republican testimonial in honour of katie b keaney — connacht sean keenan — ulster mike o'neill — munster ned gargan — leinster joe stynes — usa saturday june 1 3 1 987 west county hotel 8pm to 1am eamonn ceannt ceili band dinner 9pm sharp taille 10.50 inster election the following press statement on republican sinn fein's attitude to the upcoming election in the six counties was drafted at a meeting of comhairle uladh on may 1 7 and approved by an bord oifigeach of rsf on may 22 1 . republican sinn fein will not be availing of the current westminster election to put forward candidates to an all-ireland parliament neither will republican sinn fein be supporting any other candidates or party in this election 2 at this time and particularly in the aftermath of the loughgall killings we reiterate once more that we uphold the historic right of the irish people to use whatever degree of controlled and disciplined force is necessary in resisting to page 8