Women in Struggle Interview: - Roisin McGreevey

Over the coming months Ógra Shinn Féin will conduct a number of interviews with young female activists. Allowing young women to find their voice and to promote women in struggle.

Speaking candidly about her involvement in republican youth politics 17-year-old Roisin McGreevy speaks of her involvement, role and introduction to Ógra Shinn Féin.

Having Joined Ógra Shinn Féin in East Down in November 2005 Roisin recalls one of a number of reasons why she joined,

“I was always a young republican but never thought of joining Sinn Féin until my family were the victims at the centre of a plot manufactured by the RUC. I just couldn’t sit back an let that happen any more, I felt that by joining Ógra I would be doing my bit, policing is a sensitive issue to me. How can any one sit back and watch their own family suffer at the hands of these scum. Not only is a blind eye turned to their actions but they are aided and abetted fully by the British crown.”

Currently within Ógra Shinn Féin Roisin holds two important portfolios,

“I am secretary of my own Ógra cumann, which is East Down. As secretary I would organise and ensure that meeting of Ógra are held on a regular basis and also organise activism in accordance with the membership of Ógra in the East Down area."

"I am also equality officer for the Uladh Cúige of Ógra. I have seen that Ógra activists are mostly male. I hope to recruit more females into Ógra both at a local and national level.”

“Women are to a lesser extent involved in Ógra. Through my capacity as equality officer of Cuige Uladh of Ógra Shinn Fein I would like to see an increase in the membership of Ógra of women. In Co. Down we seem to have bucked the trend in Ógra with female comrades outnumbering males, so we certainly are showing the way in terms of the gender balance within Ógra”

“There are also two other areas of recruitment I will be looking into. Firstly I will be looking to increase our membership in the 26 counties and in particular the 3 counties, which come under the Ulster Cúige. I will also look to increase the number of the ‘new Irish’ into Ógra Shinn Fein. Increasingly people are making Ireland their home from different countries worldwide. Ógra need to bring them on board and give them their place in the struggle”

Reflecting on a memorable year in Ógra Roisin recalls a visit to Co. Tyrone for the west Tyrone Ógra Shinn Féin Demilitarisation Weekend in October 2006,

“We went to Tyrone and visited the house of 2 IRA volunteers, Gerard and Martin Harte who were ambushed by the SAS at Drumnakilly (Alongside their comrade Brian Mullin) on the 30th August 1988. We spoke to the mother; she welcomed about 50 of us into her house and fed everyone of us too!! She thanked us all for coming but we as young republicans were honoured to be hosted by the mother of the 2 fallen volunteers. Thank- you Winnie!!”

Throughout the year Roisin has overseen a number of actions in the East Down area undertaken by Ógra.

“My Ógra cumann got to work on the suicide prevention campaign an have produced a booklet aimed at youth, raising awareness of suicide and also prevention. Suicide in the Mourne area, like so many other districts throughout Ireland is increasing at a startling rate.”

Currently plans are afoot for further expansion in County Down for Ógra, according to Roisin,

“We intend to expand Ógra into a few more areas in Co. Down, at the minute there are already 3 within the county, with in these we are looking to recruit as many young republicans as possible, to make their voice heard in this part of Ireland. It’s about consolidating what we have and expanding into areas where we currently aren’t in."

If Rosin wasn’t involved in Ógra she exclaims,

“I would be lost! I mean the people I have met through Ógra, we are all very close and the camaraderie within Ógra is second to none. Never mind the weekends away to different counties, its a great experience. Ógra also provides forum for you to voice your opinions amongst your peers and it helps you build confidence. Not only this but it allows you to develop your own republican politics and hear a different perspective on things- one that you wont hear in the mainstream media.”

Outside of Ógra Roisin leads a full and active life,

“I love Gaelic games, I play camogie and football, I go Newry College and am studying sport science, I would like to go on to be a sports massage therapist!

Concluding Roisin Said,

“What I love about Ógra is that it really is the voice of the youth and we make ourselves heard, and get our views and activists out there! For example, we held a massive anti imperialist protest on the giants cause way during the summer, and the following week we were taking part in the first republican parade through Kilkenny in just under a century- which was organised by Ógra. That is progress- that is Ógra."


Quickfire Round:

Favourite Food: Chips !!

Favourite Drink : Water

Favourite Music / Artist: Christy Moore is a legend!!

Favourite Film: cool runnings

Favourite Book: Im not really a book worm !

Most memorable moment in Ógra: Ógra protested at a Brit camp in Omagh and erected the tri-colour over it , claiming it back in the name of the Irish Republic. The Brits plan to pull out of Omagh in August 2007 so it was a huge victory for Ógra in the area and indeed Ógra nationally who travelled to Omagh for just under a decade now to raise the issue of British demilitarisation in the county Tyrone town.

Person you would like to meet (living) Bik McFarlane

Person you would like to meet (deceased) Bobby Sands

If you were president of Ireland or Taoiseach what 3 things would you do to change Ireland?
- Legislate for a united Ireland (and not just pay lip service to it)
- Better Health care
- Encourage more young people into politics-without the youth there is no future!!