Irish Republican Socialist Committees of North America

08/01/2026

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Today we remember INLA volunteer and IRSP activist Kevin Lynch on his 45th anniversary, he died on this day 1981 following 71 days on hunger strike.

Kevin, an INLA Volunteer and was arrested December 1976 and charged with conspiracy to obtain arms. He received a 10 year sentence in December 1977.

Kevin excelled at Gaelic games and had captained the under-16 Derry team which won an all-Ireland hurling trophy in 1972.

He stood as a H-Block/Armagh candidate in the Waterford constituency during the June 1981 general election in the South and polled extremely well despite missing out on election.

Kevin died after 71 days on hunger strike on 1 August 1981. It was followed the next day by that of IRA Volunteer Kieran Doherty. Kevin had been lapsing into frequent periods of unconsciousness in the last four days, having already lost his sight, hearing and speech. His family were at his bedside throughout the final days until he died in the early hours of Saturday morning.

His funeral took place the following Monday in his home town of Dungiven. Between the return of his body to his home and the removal for Requiem Mass on Monday afternoon, a constant stream of mourners queued outside to pay their respects. The road was decorated with Tricolours and black flags.

The RUC and the UDR made every effort to disrupt the funeral, holding up cars and forcing buses to park outside of town so that the passengers would have to make their way on foot. Ulsterbus in Belfast cancelled bookings at the last minute. Nevertheless, mourners came in convoys of cars and black taxis.

At mid day the coffin bearing the Tricolour, Starry Plough, gloves and beret, was carried to the nearby church. The procession was led by a lone piper followed by the Lynch family, relatives of other Hunger Strikers, and senior representatives of the IRSP and the broad republican movement, along with the National H-Block/Armagh Committee.

Five British Army helicopters flew overhead as the coffin entered the church grounds. Applause broke out momentarily as an 18 strong INLA guard of honour marched up to es**rt the coffin to the church door.

At the graveside, the piper played I’ll Wear No Convict’s Uniform. The Last Post was also played and wreaths were laid, including from both the INLA and IRA Army Councils.

A uniformed INLA Volunteer then read a statement on behalf of the INLA Army Council, stating regret at Kevin’s death and applauding his heroism. “And let’s be clear, Kevin’s sacrifice wasn’t some abstract ideal. It was a direct response to a British regime that tried to crush Irish resistance by labelling our fighters as criminals".

"Let there be no room for doubt the 32 county Socialist Republic is not a mere slogan for the Irish Republican Socialist Movement nor is it some relic of past struggle for which we have since moved on, as it was for Kevin and his H Block comrades it remains to us a sacred objective which we believe is essential for the Irish people" - Kevin Lynch Commemoration 2026

07/31/2026

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Statement from the Irish Republican Socialist Party (IRSP)

The IRSP has been made aware that the mural in the Short Strand dedicated to Volunteer and Hunger Striker Micky Devine was attacked in the early hours of this morning, with images of the attack subsequently posted on a loyalist social media page.

This attack comes in the wake of the recent targeting of a loyalist mural in Newtownabbey by Lasair Dhearg. We have consistently maintained that actions of this nature achieve nothing positive. They are little more than publicity stunts carried out for social media likes, shares and attention, while those responsible fail to consider the real consequences of their actions.

The reality is that communities such as the Short Strand are the ones left to deal with the fallout. These reckless acts create fear, heighten tensions and increase the risk of retaliation, placing ordinary residents at the centre of situations they neither want nor deserve.

The IRSP is calling for calm in response to this attack. We also urge anyone considering targeting murals or engaging in similar acts to think seriously about the repercussions their actions can have for entire communities. No social media post or political point scoring is worth creating fear or putting lives at risk.

The mural dedicated to Micky Devine will be cleaned and restored. Those responsible may seek to provoke division and escalation, but they should know that these actions serve only to deepen tensions and endanger communities.

It is time for this behaviour to stop before it escalates even further.

06/10/2026

The IRSP wishes to unequivocally condemn the racist and sectarian attacks that took place across the North last night.

We recognise that immigration, asylum policy, and undocumented entry into the North are matters that require serious review and open, honest public discussion. These are legitimate political issues that should be addressed through fair and effective policy, with respect for the rights and concerns of all communities.

However, there can be no justification for the scenes of racism, sectarianism, and violence witnessed last night. Attacks on individuals, families, homes, or businesses based on their nationality, ethnicity, religion, or perceived background are unacceptable and serve only to spread fear and division.

Those responsible for creating social and economic problems should be held accountable through political action and meaningful change, not by targeting vulnerable people or local communities. Acts of hatred do nothing to solve the challenges facing working-class areas; instead, they distract from the real issues and deepen tensions.

The IRSP stands with with all those who were subjected to intimidation or violence and calls on communities to reject attempts to sow division. Our future must be built on solidarity, equality, and mutual respect, not on racism or sectarianism. Differences of opinion on immigration or government policy should be expressed peacefully and constructively, never through hatred or violence.

Those who call themselves Irish and attend these protests, while hiding behind masks should be ashamed of themselves.

James Connolly said, let no Irishman throw a stone at the foreigner; he may hit his own clansman.

Where were these protests for the 30 women who have been killed in the North since 2020, where was this outrage then?

Don’t forget that similar actions are happening in Gaza and Lebanon, yet some of the same people will stand proudly waving an Israeli flag.

05/21/2026

Today we proudly remember, INLA volunteer and 1981 Hunger Striker Patsy O’Hara who died on this day 1981 after 61 days on Hunger Strike.

Patsy was OC of the IRSM prisoners inside Long Kesh before commencing his Hunger Strike on the 22nd March 1981.

Patsy like his 9 other brave comrades and those engaged in the prison struggle fought to end the criminalisation of Republican prisoners and the criminalisation of the political struggle by the Thatcher led London Government.

Criminalisation that continues to this day.

“After we are gone what will you
say you were doing? Will you say
you were with us in our struggle
or were you with the very system
that drove us to our deaths? -
Patsy O'Hara

05/12/2026

On the 45th anniversary of his death, we remember Irish National Liberation Army Volunteer Matt McLarnon, who was shot and killed by a British Army sniper during unrest near his home in the Divis Flats area of the Lower Falls, West Belfast, on 12 May 1981. He was just 21 years old.

Matt joined the INLA in 1976 and was briefly imprisoned in 1979 after being charged with possession of two fi****ms and a gr***de, before later being acquitted.

During disturbances in the Divis Flats area after the death of his friend and Hunger Striker Francis Hughes, Matt was fatally wounded in action by shots fired from a British Army sniper position on Divis Tower. As he was being transported to hospital, the ambulance carrying him was stopped and delayed by British soldiers for several minutes, an action widely condemned at the time.

Following Requiem Mass at St Peter’s Church, six INLA Volunteers fired three volleys over his coffin in tribute to their fallen comrade. Large crowds gathered as his funeral procession made its way to Milltown Cemetery, where he was laid to rest.

45 years on, Matt McLarnon is remembered by many across Belfast and beyond.

05/11/2026

The Irish Republican Socialist Party condemns the continued internment by remand and political persecution faced by Republican Prisoner Niall Sheerin, who has now suffered the devastating loss of his father while being denied the opportunity to spend precious final moments with him.

Despite serving the required portion of his sentence to qualify for release Niall remained imprisoned under a system of British legislation and political policing that continues to target Irish republicans. The decision to uphold his continued imprisonment robbed Niall and his family of invaluable time together during his father’s final days.

Sinn Féin and the other establishment parties who administer and uphold these British laws in Ireland must bear a lot of the responsibility. Their acceptance and implementation of repressive legislation against Irish republicans has allowed injustice such as this to continue unchecked, while political prisoners and their families suffer the consequences.

At this deeply difficult time the IRSP extends solidarity and sincere condolences to Niall Sheerin his family, friends and comrades as they mourn their loss.

03/30/2026

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01/05/2026

Viva Venezuela. No to US imperialism

08/20/2025

Today we honour and remember INLA Volunteer and IRSP member Michael Devine “Red Mickey”, who died on 20 August 1981 after 60 days on hunger strike in the H-Blocks of Long Kesh. We also remember all current politcal prisoners in Ireland
and worldwide especially in Palestine

“I refuse to change to suit the people who oppress, torture or imprison me, who wish to dehumanise me… I have the spirit of freedom which cannot be quenched by the most horrendous treatment. Of course, I can be murdered, but I remain what I am – a political prisoner of war.”

07/14/2025

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Solidarity to our comrades in Toronto, Canada from the Communist Workers Circle, who are facing draconian state oppression due to their support and activism for Palestine.

Palestine activists in the greater Toronto Area are facing over 100 charges for standing against genocide and Zionist war crimes.