Irish Left Archive

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Digital collection of political material from the Irish Left.

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Irish Left Archive
@ila@leftarchive.ie

2nd November 1986, Republican Sinn Féin were formed in a split over abstention from Leinster House.

https://www.leftarchive.ie/calendar/on-this-day/11/02/#event-5541

On This Day, 2nd November

Irish Left Archive

Scanned text reading: When the decision of the 82nd Ard-Fheis of Sinn Féin to recognise the Leinster House assembly was announced on 2nd November those who wished to defend the Republican position moved with speed. They withdrew from the Dublin Mansion House in an orderly and dignified manner and walked down Dawson Street behind the flag of Clann na nGael, the Republican Scouts. The flag was carried by Nóirín Ní Liatháin. She had stood outside the Mansion House in full uniform and holding the flag throughout the Ard-Fheis. Beside her was 2 poster appealing to delegates to uphold the Republic. In Dawson Street an announcement was made that a meeting would be held in the West County Hotel, Chapelizod. Half an hour later the delegates had begun to re-assemble. By six o'clock there was a muster of over 130, accompanied by an eager national and international press corps of over 40. Ruairí Ó Brádaigh asked the media representatives to leave the room “until we decide who we are and what we are”. He had led the opposition to the recognition of Leinster House during the five-hour debate.