``Unbowed... unbroken''.
Describing the moment when the `Balcombe Street Heroes' walked
into Sunday's Ard Fheis at the RDS An Phoblacht's Peadar Whelan
says their entry was not a display of triumphalism but a
celebration of the victory of four Republican prisoners of war
who endured some of the worst excesses of the British prison
system during their 23 years of imprisonment.
As I stood outside the front door of the RDS on Sunday awaiting
the arrival of Hugh Doherty, Harry Duggan, Joe O'Connell and
Eddie Butler, dubbed the Balcombe Street gang by the British
establishment, I was standing among a welcoming party of Gerry
Kelly, Martin Ferris and Pat Doherty for whom the moment was so
sweet. It was to be the first time Pat was to see his brother
outside of prison walls in over 23 years.
The moment of their first embrace almost overflowed as Pat fought
back his tears. It was a precious moment.
That the four men received a ten minute standing ovation from the
packed audience was testament to their courage and fortitude.
They had endured so much in the past years yet survived, ``unbowed
and unbroken'', as Hugh Doc said from the stage as he was being
embraced by Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness.
The surge of emotion that swept through the hall came not from
any inherent desire to rub peoples' noses in it in the way that
we understand Orange triumphalism - to present the welcome in
such terms is mischievous.
``There wasn't a dry eye in the house,'' an activist of many years
and himself an ex-POW who served time in England said and he was
right.
One young woman peered through open fingers as tears from
disbelieving and startled eyes rolled down her cheeks. Not one
person that could stand remained seated. The usually composed and
orderly Ard Comhairle were propelled into ecstatic disarray as
the party's leadership embraced the four men.
The sore hands of an applause that lasted several minutes
yielded, only to raise aloft as the cheering continued. Even the
characteristically eloquent Gerry Adams was so moved that he
seemed unable to articulate the emotions from the packed hall.
Hugh Doherty and Joe Cahill's joint clasped hands rose to salute
the standing audience who responded with a rhythmic stamping of
feet and clapping of hands that shook the floorboards of the RDS
Library Hall. Hugh Doherty's ``unbowed and unbroken'' was the
phrase that defined not only the prisoners' courage and tenacity,
but indeed the determination and optimism that gripped the room.
In our long history of occupation, Ireland's martyred dead and
those men and women who have spent many years in prison have
always held a special place in the hearts of republicans. That
the POWs endured so much as the British tried to break their
spirit yet triumphed is something to celebrate.
Our prisoners have carried the politics of this struggle through
many dark days and it is fitting they are given that recognition.
Also, it is a recognition of their political development and the
importance of their views that it was important their views be
heard on Sunday.
As Geraldine Ferrity OC of the women POWs in Maghaberry said when
asking the Ard Fheis to support the leadership, ``We have not
taken the decision lightly. It is a unified decision''.
That unity and cohesion was exemplified in the contributions from
Padraic Wilson and Mick O'Brien the OCs of Long Kesh and
Portlaoise respectively, who represent the views of hundreds of
our POWs.
Describing how the POWs ``met the system head on', and defeated it
Wilson told the delegates they shouldn't be afraid to take risks.
Afterwards Hugh Doherty spoke to me and explained how elated he
and the other prisoners were at the reception they received when
they arrived in Portlaoise. ``It was good to be back in Ireland'',
he said.
``We must go forward together'', stressed Doherty, ``no one can beat
us but ourselves''.
d expressing his support for the leadership Hugh said he was
``happy with the direction we are going in''.
He thanked everyone throughout the length and breadth of Ireland
and abroad for their support. ``They brought us through'', he said
then called for everyone to ``be strong - the future is ours''.
Martina Anderson who is serving life and who was paroled from
Maghaberry, spoke to me. Clearly overwhelmed by the occasion she
said, ``it is momentous, I am glad to be part of this''.
Martina added that the women were giving ``full and unqualified
support to the leadership and in the direction they're taking us.
While we are aware of the risks ahead we believe there is the
potential for progress''.
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