Interview With Niall Doran - Derry Ógra Shinn Féin

Niall Doran took time to speak to Ogras Barry McNally earlier this week. Niall, aged 17 and a chef recently took the reins of Derry Ógra Shinn Féin. Formally known as Toirsire Republican Youth they recently reconstituted as Derry Ógra Shinn Féin.

Niall Started by telling me of his own republican beliefs and background

“Growing up in the local community and hearing first hand accounts of the events of Bloody Sunday had a huge impact on me. Learning about Bloody Sunday and Irish history in general was a real eye opener. My granda was a big republican and this is where I believe I got my republicanism from. I am following in his footsteps in contributing to the struggle for Irish freedom.

“Whilst at first I was too shy to join any group or youth organisation about pursuing my republican politics, I was invited by a friend along to a meeting and relented. This let me see that there was ways and means by which I could achieve and pursue republican objectives.

“I was always very supportive of Sinn Fein and their strategy; in my opinion their policies are the best, progressive way to the republic. A united Ireland can be achieved by pursuing the objectives and strategy of Sinn Féin. The armed campaign has brought us this far, politics will hopefully conclude the job for which many gave their lives.

Explaining the background of setting up Toirsire Republican Youth Niall said

“The idea to form a republican youth organisation in Derry such as Toirsire was first discussed in early 2005. This quickly led to the launch of Toirsire Republican Youth in Derry at Easter 2005. With the help of Derry republicans we set about campaigning, educating and agitating. Toirsire was a place to make politics relevant amongst peers and was about bringing our republican beliefs and values into our communities.

“Many of our first recruits were friends and family of victims of the struggle who were looking to learn more about their history and to continue on the struggle for which their friends and family gave their lives to achieve.'

“Toirsire were involved in numerous campaigns. We held protests in aid of the Hands off Cuba campaign and Cuban Solidarity around the 40th Anniversary events of the death of Che Guevara. We were also to the fore in campaigning and agitating to call our City simply Derry. Others call it the walled city, the maiden city and many other names; but I call a spade a spade, the same with our city, its Derry.

Questioned on how Niall first found out about Ógra or heard about Ógra he said

“Toirsire were invited to numerous Ógra events and weekends and we seen them protesting and were aware of them through the media and also knew members on a personal basis. The Coiste Youth camp in Ballintoy demonstrated how Ógra were organised nationally and had a good structure in place. Following this there were numerous people within Toirsire that we should become an Ógra cumann as opposed to Toirisre. It was a big decision however. But notwithstanding this we agreed with the decision to reconstitute ourselves as Ógra. As one of those who supported the move I seen Ógra as more organised then Toirsire. Also being a part of a bigger national movement has its benefits. We were involved with Sinn Féin since the inception of Toirisre so we were like an Ógra cumann in all but name. So it made sense to become Doire Ógra Shinn Féin.'

“Already we have been active on the Stand Up for Derry Campaign. It calls for more affordable social housing in Derry, for Magee University to be upgraded and calling for a motorway to Derry as well as an improved railway service in the area.

Pressed on the major issues affecting the youth of Derry today Niall said the two major issues were “the unacceptably high levels of suicide in the city and also drugs and alcohol abuse particularly amongst the youth.”

Outside of politics Niall enjoys cooking. He reflecting the pressure in the job he quipped “Don’t mention the stress!”

Concluding the interview Niall was asked how to make politics relevant to young people

“You need to bring it down to young peoples level-simplifying it to something they understand. By doing this it makes politics relevant to young people and makes it more transparent.'


Quickfire Round:

Favorite Food: Pasta

Favorite Drink: Carlsberg

Favorite Music / Artist: Gary Og

Favorite Film: In The Name Of The Father

Favorite Book: Derry – Through the Lens by Willie Carson

Favorite Holiday resort: Salou

Most memorable moment in Politics: The Coiste weekend in Ballintoy.

Most influential person in your life: Frances Hughes

Person you would like to meet (living) George Bush - Just to kick him in the B****

Person you would like to meet (deceased) Frances Hughes

If you were president of Ireland or Taoiseach what 3 things would you do to change Ireland

- End Partition
- End the use of Shannon airport by US Military
- Make Irish the first spoken language of Ireland