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It
seems that it is becoming rather fashionable for reporters,
imaginative writers and other assorted people of dubious
letters to publish works that allegedly reveal the
"inside story" of the Irish Republican Army.
In
dealing with the machinations of the politicians and
the leadership, these revelations may well be fairly
accurate, for who can say what men will do in their
secret hearts.
The
Volunteer, or ordinary soldier, is an entirely different
species and must not be included in the various appreciations
of the I.R.A.
Since
these men and women are, in fact, the I.R.A., such
a statement may appear to be nonsensical.
If,
however, it is considered that the people who did
the actual fighting had no say in the policy of Sinn
Fein and had no influence upon the leadership, then
my observation makes perfect sense.
The
unshakable courage of these heroes is an undeniable
fact.
They
followed, without hesitation, in the fatal footsteps
of their gallant forebears, and for the same reason.
They
fought against almost insurmountable forces and on
three fronts.
They
were well aware that there would be no medals, no
lionising of their persons, no recognition of their
individual feats and that, in all probability only
in death would their existence be acknowledged.
In
the history of the world, it has fallen to a small
number of brave men and women to take up arms in defence
of their people and their principles.
In
most such arenas, the vast majority of the populace
does nothing.
They
bewail their fate and rail against their rulers but
do nothing.
They
curse their lot and fume against the system but do
nothing.
The
people of action do something.
Whether
he be an Irishman in Ireland, a Palestinian in Palestine,
a Zulu in Zululand or a Celt in Ancient Britain, any
man or woman, boy or girl who takes up arms against
an invader, a despot, an overlord or any other of
the myriad armed blackguards who have infested this
world since the dawn of time, is a real and genuine
hero.
The
unpalatable fact that most of such people will be
defeated by treachery, by shallow, cowardly and self-seeking
leaders or by cunning and duplicitous enemies cannot
detract from their unmitigated courage and faith in
the righteousness of their cause.
The
opportunity to go forth and put life and liberty on
the line has arisen in many nations many times.
Very
few have possessed the courage to answer the call.
Ireland
is fortunate in that she owns a great tradition of
personal and national bravery.
She
also has generational ladder upon each rung of which
resides a kernel of new and fresh patriots who will
not let the torch fall or be extinguished.
No
matter how often the struggle for a United and Independent
Ireland is halted by unworthy and treacherous men,
it will not be given up.
No
man can ever debase the fight for Irish Unity or denigrate
those great Volunteers who fought, and may fight again
for that noble cause.
Papers
may be signed, politicians may be bought, bribed and
cowed but the true heart of the Irish Republican Army,
in whatever form it may appear in time to come, will
beat on.
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