Bernard Fox leaves provos

[Indyjoe]

A few media sources have said that Bernard Fox, ex hunger-striker, has left the provos. Also two councillors in south Derry, Patsy Groogan and Oliver Hughes (brother of Francis Hughes) have resigned from PSF.


September 24, 2006 edition of the Sunday Tribune.

Veteran IRA man resigns from Army Council

(by Suzanne Breen, Sunday Tribune)

A veteran IRA member has resigned from the Army Council, accusing the Sinn Féin leadership of "undemocratically" controlling the organisation, according to republican sources.

Former H-Block hunger-striker, Bernard Fox complained that Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness, who left the Army Council last year, were effectively running it from behind-the-scenes, the sources said.

Fox could not be contacted for comment. Sources told the Sunday Tribune he had a "blazing row" with McGuinness before he resigned. Fox, 55, joined the IRA at 18 and is extremely popular with grassroots.

Meanwhile, two South Derry Sinn Féin councillors, including the brother of IRA hunger-striker Francis Hughes, have resigned. Patsy Groogan and Oliver Hughes are said to have had serious disagreements with the leadership.

Martin McGuinness, who has previously denied that serious splits exist in the area, described the resignations as "most unfortunate". The IRA's entire South Derry brigade recently resigned. The latest resignations will be an enormous blow to Sinn Féin locally.

Sources said Bernard Fox's resignation is significant because he is from West Belfast. Until now, most opposition has come from rural areas. Belfast, and in particular the west of the city, has been a leadership stronghold.

Fox has not linked up with dissident groups. He has been imprisoned on four occasions, serving 22 years in jail. He joined the Army Council last year, replacing Brian Keenan who was then ill with cancer.

At the same time, Adams, McGuinness and Martin Ferris resigned their Army Council seats in an attempt to publicly distance Sinn Féin from the IRA.

However, Adams and McGuinness continued to exercise power on the Army Council despite their formal departure. One republican said Fox had protested strongly about "a council within a council."

The source described Fox as "one of the most genuine republicans you could meet" and said his resignation was a big loss to the IRA.

"Bernard is a man of integrity. He was always highly thought of within the jails and by ordinary volunteers. He isn't into money or power and he was never ambitious. No matter how often they were put in jail, people like Bernard went out time and time again for the IRA at great cost to their family life."

One source said Brian Keenan had visited Fox's home to try to talk him out of resignation. The IRA had since taken Fox's 'staff' car from him, much to the annoyance of some activists. However, another source said he wouldn't be surprised if the internal row was resolved.

A former apprentice coach-builder from the Falls Road, in 2001 the DUP's Peter Robinson named Fox in the Assembly as the IRA's director of engineering.

September 24, 2006

[Pidge]

Are SF making any comment on these resignations?

[Batman]

Are SF making any comment on these resignations?

They didnt make any on eirigi so I would be surprised if they didnt.

[cain1798]

Are SF making any comment on these resignations?

They didnt make any on eirigi so I would be surprised if they didnt.

We announced Oliver and Patsy's resignations last Friday. Disappointed at their decision, they've done huge work for the party as committed representatives etc.

[Batman]

Are SF making any comment on these resignations?

They didnt make any on eirigi so I would be surprised if they didnt.

We announced Oliver and Patsy's resignations last Friday. Disappointed at their decision, they've done huge work for the party as committed representatives etc.

But they didnt make any comment.

[Bogwarrior]

Won't be long before the character assasination begins.
Didn't these South Derry lads give the same reason for leaving, as South Derry MLA John Kelly?
Can we assume the media reports of 40 Provo volunteers in the same area resigning, may have a hint of truth?

[mothball]

What reason would he have to remain in the army? There isn’t much left to do other than to harass dissidents or anyone, even mildly, dissatisfied with the current process.

[Mise_Eire]

What reason would he have to remain in the army? There isn’t much left to do other than to harass dissidents or anyone, even mildly, dissatisfied with the current process.

There's their "commercial" enterprises to run for starters ... what happens to the IRA funds ? Hmmmm ?

[ireland2004]

A few media sources have said that Bernard Fox, ex hunger-striker, has left the provos. Also two councillors in south Derry, Patsy Groogan and Oliver Hughes (brother of Francis Hughes) have resigned from PSF.


September 24, 2006 edition of the Sunday Tribune.

Veteran IRA man resigns from Army Council

(by Suzanne Breen, Sunday Tribune)

A veteran IRA member has resigned from the Army Council, accusing the Sinn Féin leadership of "undemocratically" controlling the organisation, according to republican sources.

Former H-Block hunger-striker, Bernard Fox complained that Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness, who left the Army Council last year, were effectively running it from behind-the-scenes, the sources said.

Fox could not be contacted for comment. Sources told the Sunday Tribune he had a "blazing row" with McGuinness before he resigned. Fox, 55, joined the IRA at 18 and is extremely popular with grassroots.

Meanwhile, two South Derry Sinn Féin councillors, including the brother of IRA hunger-striker Francis Hughes, have resigned. Patsy Groogan and Oliver Hughes are said to have had serious disagreements with the leadership.

Martin McGuinness, who has previously denied that serious splits exist in the area, described the resignations as "most unfortunate". The IRA's entire South Derry brigade recently resigned. The latest resignations will be an enormous blow to Sinn Féin locally.

Sources said Bernard Fox's resignation is significant because he is from West Belfast. Until now, most opposition has come from rural areas. Belfast, and in particular the west of the city, has been a leadership stronghold.

Fox has not linked up with dissident groups. He has been imprisoned on four occasions, serving 22 years in jail. He joined the Army Council last year, replacing Brian Keenan who was then ill with cancer.

At the same time, Adams, McGuinness and Martin Ferris resigned their Army Council seats in an attempt to publicly distance Sinn Féin from the IRA.

However, Adams and McGuinness continued to exercise power on the Army Council despite their formal departure. One republican said Fox had protested strongly about "a council within a council."

The source described Fox as "one of the most genuine republicans you could meet" and said his resignation was a big loss to the IRA.

"Bernard is a man of integrity. He was always highly thought of within the jails and by ordinary volunteers. He isn't into money or power and he was never ambitious. No matter how often they were put in jail, people like Bernard went out time and time again for the IRA at great cost to their family life."

One source said Brian Keenan had visited Fox's home to try to talk him out of resignation. The IRA had since taken Fox's 'staff' car from him, much to the annoyance of some activists. However, another source said he wouldn't be surprised if the internal row was resolved.

A former apprentice coach-builder from the Falls Road, in 2001 the DUP's Peter Robinson named Fox in the Assembly as the IRA's director of engineering.

September 24, 2006

Some source there Indyjoe ye muppet.

[Bogwarrior]

I've noticed Suzanne is the Provo's latest pet hate. Moloney's been given a break.
BTW Breen seems to have been right about the South Derry Brigade resignations. Something she was also ridiculed for stating.
Some people refuse to open their eyes, and sound more and more like Baghdads Comical Ali.
Are you saying they haven't resigned, Ireland?
Which journalists would YOU see as a good source?