How did you get involved in Politics? How did you get involved with Sinn Féin?
I got involved with Sinn Féin by joining Ógra, when I started the University of Ulster in September 2005. I joined a very strong College Cumann, which matched my enthusiasm and gave me a welcoming introduction to life in Sinn Féin and Ógra. I then proceeded to join Sinn Féin in my local area of Lurgan, and soon after founded Ógra Shinn Féin in Upper Bann. This was my first real involvement in politics.
My family background is one you could class as political, although of various different shapes and sizes! However, I wouldn’t really put this as a reason for my involvement in politics.
Growing up in Lurgan, I was exposed to politics at an early age; although I might not have realised it at the time. One of my first political memories is the scene in my local area after the first IRA ceasefire in 1994. Although, I didn’t really know what all the fuss was about! Like many other areas, British Army and RUC patrols were a daily sight for nationalists in Lurgan, and it was common to see them patrol around the local primary school I attended close to my house. Later, as I grew older I began to realise that this constant military presence in the town wasn’t right. I began to reject the media spin that Republicans were terrorists and criminals, and started to read more about Republican politics and history.
By the time I started the University of Ulster, I had made the decision I wanted to play my part in building a United Ireland.
What other roles have you carried out in Ógra and what roles to you hold currently?
The first role I ever carried out for Ógra was as secretary for the University Cumann in Jordanstown. After this I became secretary for Cúige Uladh Ógra Shinn Féin, and now I am National Secretary for Ógra. A domino effect it would seem! I am also currently Organiser of Cúige Uladh Ógra Shinn Féin, and a member of the national executive of Ógra Shinn Féin, An Chomhairle Náisiúnta.
How do you see Ógra’s role within the Struggle, and what are the benefits of Ógra?
Ógra plays an important role in the struggle. That is the role of recruiting and educating young activists. Through campaigns, weekends, debates, public meetings and education seminars, Ógra is vital in producing young, dedicated activists. This helps us build Sinn Féin and the Republican vision, and also helps popularise the struggle.
The benefits of Ógra from my point of view are clear to anyone who has come through the youth structure. Ógra helps build confidence amongst young people by promoting debate and encouraging people to express their opinions. Ógra gives young Republicans the chance to engage with comrades their own age and also to meet leadership figures they might not normally get to meet. It is also important Ógra is a working part of the local movement, so young activists can benefit from the experiences of older comrades.
How do you see our participation in councils, and your role as a councillor, advancing our Struggle?
In this phase of our struggle building our support, both electorally and within communities, is of the up most importance. The conditions have been created, through the determination of Republicans over the past 30 years, which allow us to build political support for the legitimate aspiration of a United Ireland. The courageous decisions taken throughout the peace process by the IRA and the strong leadership given by Republicans have led to these conditions. This is an opportunity we must seize, and part of this is in the councils. We must build in these institutions by working for, and representing, the people who our voting for us. We must show the same leadership and dedication in these institutions, as Republicans have always done, in order to bring about real change. We can’t sit about and wait for change, and it can’t happen if we aren’t representing the people who support our vision.
Personally, as a councillor I intend to represent constituents in my area, Loughside, to the best of my ability. I also want to help the rest of our council team to build the Republican voice on Craigavon Council. To be honest, I see myself more as a political activist than a politician. I will work with, and represent, all of the constituents of my area to the best of my ability, but I am also there to build support for the ideas of Sinn Féin. I think this is part of what makes us different from any other party, both our ideals and how we work as a team.
How does your role as Councillor differ from being a Sinn Féin activist?
As I said before, I see myself very much as a Sinn Féin activist. I think this is true of all our public representatives. Obviously there are the formal activities involved with the council, like the council meetings and committees, which are very different from what you encounter in your everyday role as an activist. There is also dealing with the ‘bread and butter’ issues of constituents, which is new to me. But really all of this is just a different part of being an activist.
How do we avoid becoming institutionalized?
Becoming institutionalized is not something I would be overly concerned about. I think Sinn Féin representatives are in public, or elected, roles as activists. As I said before by remaining Republican activists we can continue to strive towards our goals. A wise man once told me, ‘as long as we hold on to that 'Brits Out' attitude in our minds, we’ll be fine.’ I couldn’t say it any better than that.
How do you think young people see Sinn Féin?
This is something I can definitely relate to, being only 21 years old myself. I think young people see Sinn Féin as people who deliver. I think we are seen as driving the real desire amongst young people for change in Ireland.
How do we make Sinn Féin relevant to young people?
I think by continuing to campaign on issues of relevance to young people. Things like Student Fees, Affordable Housing, Car Insurance and more, need to be kept on the agenda. Ógra also has a role in this. Ógra can ensure youth issues are kept to the fore in the political arena and help Sinn Féin bring about change. I know Ógra has been actively campaigning to reduce the voting age to 16; this is a good example of how to make Republican politics relevant to young people.
Quickfire Round
Favourite Food: Spaghetti Bolognese (On pasta that isn’t spaghetti! E.g. penne lol)
Favourite Drink : Guinness
Favourite Music / Artist: All types
Favourite Film: The Godfather I and II
Favourite Book: The Godfather
Favourite Holiday: Santa Ponsa
Most memorable moment in Ógra: Probably when I went to Catalunya representing Ógra
Person you would like to meet (living): Nelson Mandela
Person you would like to meet (deceased): Bobby Sands
29 comments:
He's been a councillor for at least a month now and he still hasn't gotten me a house! Brutal!
Hi folks. Just a quick comment: im sure Johnny will be a great edition to the SF councillor team as he is a great worker , but I believe our enemies could take the above statement out of context. ‘How do we stop ourselves from becoming institutionalised? ‘Keep reminding yourselves to get the Brits out. Well for a start some our fellow unionist country people may take as a comment to get them out of the country, also I personally think our goals go much beyond that, for example if we get rid of the ‘Brits’ in the morning is that the job done? When everyone on this island is treated equally we will know our job is done.
To anonymous,
Head down and apologetic is no behaviour for a Republican.
When a genuine Republican says 'Brits Out!' its very clear they mean the British Army and British Government interference in Irish affairs.
Let the naysayers and enemies attack us, they always will, but lets be clear on why we say it - a recent BBC show on the conflict had the Top 10 slogans during the last 40 years, and guess what came up tops, yes you've guessed 'Brits Out!' and even the BBC knew what Republicans meant by it.
So anonymous, I understand we have moved into a new mode and new climate, but clearly republicans are still out to achieve a 32 County Democratic Socialist Republic or (An Ireland of Equals) if you would prefer, and the first stage in all of that is 'Brits Out!'
And by the way - fair play Johnny. Good to see a Ógra and Sinn Féin have the youngest councillor in Ireland.
Demonstration if any was needed that we are indeed a party of youth.
TÁL!
Colleen
Anonymous,
I think it's obvious what he meant by that statement.
He didn't say the words 'keep reminding ourselves to get the Brits out'
He basically said he was once advised by someone to always maintain the conviction that the British Government's presence in Ireland is unjust, and should be removed. That's basically what was meant. How can you argue with this?
The question was how to avoid institutionalisation. It wasn't about our ultimate goals. But removal of the British is certainly an important step in reaching our goals.
Ógra Abú!!
A Chara – to reiterate my last point, I believe that we could achieve our dream of a United Ireland and still become institutionalised. To paraphrase Connelly, why raise the flag of Ireland and celebrate if its people are still treated as badly as the British government treated us. Achieving a United Ireland is just one step – a major one but not the final one. As for the term Brits out I would urge you to think of what type of United Ireland you want to live in. You obviously understand that a significant proportion of the 6 county population counts themselves as British. Part of our movement’s strategy consists of reaching out the hand of friendship to Unionism and showing them how much better off they would be in a United Ireland, politically, economically socially etc. The term ‘Brits out’ was commonly used in a different phase of the struggle but I think most level headed people would agree that this slogan might not be the most helpful when reaching out to the unionist community whom some of which might find it offensive as they may believe it relates to them. To conclude, if you read my previous note at no point did I mention Republicans should have ‘their head down and apologetic’ – I suggest that you go to your local Ogra or Sinn Fein cummann and ask them to familiarise yourself with our strategic goals – and more importantly how we go about achieving them. Also I would like to second your comments on congratulating Johnny – well done!!
Fair lay Councillor McGibbon!
I think anonymous would need to remember why we need a new Ireland in the first place.......bcos of the inequalities created by partition and the Brits!!!
thers no contradiction in reaching out to unionists and demanding the Brits leave.
familiarise YOURSELF with our goals and our purpose!
and yea.... congratulations johnny!
You seem to have misinterpreted some of my earlier comments; however I will rectify any misconceptions you may have. My point was that we although the physical war is over, the propaganda war is still going. For one of our elected councillors to use terms such as ‘Brits out’ is naive at best and at worst damaging. Could you imagine a situation where Martin McGuiness stood up at Stormant and stated ‘We want all brits out of Ireland’ – it wouldn’t happen, why? Because it would be damaging to the struggle. He would clarify his comments in such a way that left the media no opportunity to take his comments out of context. He would state clearly that he wanted the British governments control/influence in Ireland to end, and no doubt he would follow that up by stating the benefits of a United Ireland to Unionists. Now do you think Martin would be doing this for the craic of it or maybe is it the case it is part of our national strategic objectives?
Sure doesn't Gerry Kelly say it all the time, and even recently, in his words' 'Brits Out!'
Ive heard him say it at meetings, sommemorations etc
If its good enough for Gerry, its good enough for Johnny.
Congratulations Johnny.
County Down Comrade!
I see theres a bit of a discussion going on, i'll stick to the congratulations. Great to see we have the youngest councillor in Ireland.
Belfaster
A Chara County Down Comrade – just a quick note, as with any political party, there is a lot said behind closed doors that would not be said in the public. Also in the example you gave about comments Gerry Kelly made, he clarified that he was talking about the British army – not any citizen living in Ireland who claims British citizenship. You need to be carefully that you don’t lump into the same bracket your average unionist who claims British identity to that with which is the murderous British state. If you do so you are alienating the very people you are trying to reach out to. How else do you really think we are going to achieve a sustainable United Ireland where everyone will be treated equally?
When Gerry said it at the commemoration I was at he didn't clarify it - he didn't need to as we knew who he meant by it.
One minute your saying Martin mcGuinness wouln't say it, now when Gerry Kelly says it your making excuses for him.
Look I really don't think there needs to be an over the top discussion on this matter as one person put it earlier, any genuine Republican saying 'Brits Out' mean the british army and establishment.
Terminology is very important, and i think we need to retain our republican charachter, i mean do you propose we start referring to the North as 'Northern Ireland???' because you could argue that Unionists would be offended by not referring to the state as its 'official' term.
While I think we need to be careful with the terminology we use, it is not going to build meaningful bridges between us and the Unionist community it will be actions like those by Coiste, the recent wall murals on the Falls Rd and community engagement.
County Down Comrade.
Congratulations Johnny.
Sinead
Congratulations mo chara, keep er lit. Joe
Obviously then you think that shouting ‘Brits out’ to the typical unionist, who has been brought up to a believe a web of lies about republicans - about how they are heartless murders etc, is good for our struggle???? County Down comrade if you think that Sinn Fein wants to physically remove every person you claims british citizenship you are really in the wrong party!!
I agree with anonymous - the use of terminology is important, if it is not used correcly then gestures such as Cosite looks like token gestures. Unionists will be offended by people telling them to leave the country - "we want a united ireland but we dont want you in it" its political sucide
Sean
Just been reading the comments – great debate! Debate is good as long as it is healthy. I will also out my penny’s worth in!! I think terminology is also very important, but it is also more important to uphold the true values of Republicans. For example a so called ‘true republican’ from my own native Tyrone always told us how important it was to achieve a Socialist Republic – he was then later found to be exploiting the situation of foreign nationals on his farm – slave labour to make money for him
Go Tyrone
Go Johnny!!
Shazz
Great to have such a young activist elected to council. keep up the good work a chara. Brian
Thats quite a feat to have the youngest councillor in Ireland. A true example of youth in politics. Aine
Whos talking about shouting 'Brits Out!' and don't twist my words, and ask me to leave the party for intentional misconceptions over my words, what I mean is for the British Army and British Establishment to leave Ireland as it is a soverign nation.
People who claim British, Egyptian, Polish etc identity are of course all entitled to live in Ireland and I would encourage them to play a full role in the community and government when we achieve a United Ireland and elect an All Ireland, Dáíl Éireann.
Look Johhny earlier only said about having a 'Brits Out' mentality, he didn't say he was going to be standing with a megaphone shouting it into the nearest Loyalist estate.
Gerry Kelly has not only talked about having a 'Brits Out' mentality but he has said it, and there are many more, recently at the Special Ard Fheis.
I think actions are more important, and people like Johnny will be building the new Ireland with our Unionist neighbours while some people sit worrying and fretting over nothing.
Up the Republic!
South Down Comrade
Congratulations Johnny and Brits Out!
South Down Comrade, mo chara – I don’t think you actually understand the substance of my comments. Even if one of our leadership did actually use the term ‘brits out’ it does not justify it. (It actually concerns me that you justification for your argument is based solely on that one of our party leaders said it, can you not think for yourself?). I want you to give careful consideration to the following two points. First of all do you really believe that the term ‘brits out’ would not alienate some of the unionist people whom we are trying to win the hearts and minds of? Second point – do you really believe that by having just solely ‘brits out’ attitude that we will not become institutionalised? For example if the British government packed up in the morning and left, if all we ever wanted was for they to go and nothing else, what would we do then, leave the people hungry, homeless, no education – Think about it South Down Comrade is that the Ireland you truly want – One in which an 1/8 of the population has been disenfranchised due to racist slurs and where we indirectly abuse the people because we have not planned what to down with the power. I urge you to think about these points.
I know the lines are gonna offend our wee 'anonymous' friend but here goes,
"So farewell at last to West Belfast: to the Markets and the Falls
I quickly got the message there it was written on the walls
Brits Out!" lol
Fair play to you Johnny boy - great interview, youthful, vibrant and radical. Ciaran
Brilliant interview mo chara. Sharon
Congrats Johnny- BRITS OUT
Sorry: let me clarify my above slogan- I meant to say BRITISH ARMY AND BRITISH ESTABLISHMENT OUT...(eh).. NOW!!!
Dosent have the saem ring to it des it???
Anonymous,
You keep saying things that weren't actually said in the interview.
You also keep pointing out the problems in Ireland, which every1 is in agreement about.
Do you want the Brits to stay? lol
Johnny that is great news!! Really well done and from the comments left here from the people who know you best you will do a great job. In relation to the side issue on terminology - our strategy is clearly to engage the unionist population - how will we do that if we are pushing them away? What is the point of having a strategy if we dont implement it at every level. Ogra should led the way in this also as they have done so on other projects in the past.
North Dublin Comrade
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