A RETIRED Judge has resigned from Fianna Fáil amid claims that the party has lost its republicanism and forgotten its social democratic working class roots.
In a statement issued to local media this week, Sean M MacBride LLM., retired Judge of the District Court, confirmed the news.
“On Wednesday 15th July 2020 with a heavy heart I tendered my resignation as a member of Fianna Fáil. Over the past 2 years during the last 18 months of the previous Confidence and Supply supporting the Minority Fine Gael Government between the Summer of 2018 and the General Election of 2020, and since The General Election leading up to the Formation of The FF, FG and Green coalition supported by Independents, I have become completely disillusioned with Fianna Fáil. The Party has lost its Republicanism and forgotten its Social Democratic Working Class Roots.
“In my view Fianna Fail should (have): Formed as Leaders with 44 seats left of centre government with Sinn Féin, Labour and like-minded souls in 2016. Fianna Fáil under Micheal Martin told the electorate that they were removing Enda Kenny and Fine Gael from power and not back into power. (2) Micheal Martin and Fianna Fáil should have pulled the plug from Confidence and Supply no later than the summer of 2019 on two issues – Health and Housing. (3) Sinn Féin bashing and totally negative campaigning in the 2020 General Election particularly by The Leadership of the party drove Fianna Fáil and other voters into the Sinn Féin camp for the first time ever,” he wrote.
Mr MacBride said that was a big mistake by the Fianna Fáil Party.
“Furthermore, not talking to Sinn Féin was very childish and immature behaviour. Sinn Féin have shared power with Unionists in The Six Counties since The Good Friday Agreement in 1998. In particular, since The St. Andrews Agreement Sinn Féin Party has shared The Joint Authority Post of First Minister and Deputy First Minister in The Northern Assembly and led the government of Northern Ireland.
Disrespected Sinn Féin
“Sinn Féin got the most first preference votes of any party in the recent 2020 General Election. Fianna Fáil totally disrespected the democratic mandate of Sinn Féin and their voters in a manner which is not consistent with democracy or the wishes of the electorate,” Mr McBride said.
On the formation of the Government, Mr McBride noted that the Taoiseach set up “A Shared Vision” Northern Ireland Section in his Department.
“Surely as a Republican Party Fianna Fáil should have set up “A United Ireland” Section in the Department of An Taoiseach.
“The Irish Government is a joint guarantor of The Belfast Agreement and in particular the vindicator of the rights of Irish citizens, both Republican and Nationalist in The Six Counties. You have Boris Johnston and his Tories to side with The Unionists. In my opinion Fianna Fáil is no longer a Republican party.
“I have been a member of Fianna Fáil since 1969 until September 1999 when I resigned in accordance with The Constitution and The Law on my appointment as a Judge of The District Court. I retired at 65 years of age on the 15th of March 2015 as my beloved wife, Gretta, was very ill and subsequently had four operations in one year and by the Grace of God survived. I have been her Carer ever since.
“I re-joined Fianna Fail as an ordinary member at the time of the 2016 General Election as I thought the party was a genuine left of centre republican and social democratic party. I contributed papers and advice on various policies to the Party.
“Between 1969 and 1999 I served Fianna Fáil as a Cumann Secretary, Comhairle Ceantair Chairman, Election Agent, Director of Elections and the people of Donegal as a County Councillor.
“My late dad Joe and his family were founder members of Fianna Fáil. My mum’s da, my patriot grandfather Jack Carolan, died for Ireland on the 6th day of May 1922 having been murdered.
“Whilst serving as The District Judge in Cavan/Monaghan from 2004 to 2015 I cleaned up the area and stood up for the Constitution, the law and the good people of Cavan and Monaghan in opposing the dissident IRA, fuel smugglers, criminals and drug dealers. I also stood up to and opposed threats. No-one can question my loyalty to Ireland and the Irish people.
“I am totally opposed to all violence, no matter what quarter it may come from.
“I am committed to democracy and believe in peace, justice and reconciliation. Furthermore, I believe in and will actively pursue a united Ireland pursuant to The Good Friday Agreement. I am proud to state that I am a republican and a man of the people.
“I ask all my friends and the public to respect my decision. I bear no personal animosity towards any man or woman in particular.
“I shall remain good friends with all members of the Fianna Fáil party. My differences of opinion are genuinely political and are the very essence of democracy. God save Ireland. Up the Republic,” Mr MacBride said.
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