McGlincheys view of Irish revolution

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struggles. I became aware of the Do you see room for cooperaa victory in Vietnam or Angola is national question. I would Join the Labour Committee on Ireland.

How did you become involved Republican Socialist politics?

My earliest' involvement stemmed from witnessing injustice - from seeing the activities of the B Specials. The Civil Rights march from Belfast to Derry - the forced route changing through County Derry and the ambush of the marchers at Burntollet were an early influence. It was through experiences like these that I became aware of the urgent necessity to act to change the situation.

My first contact with socialist politics came from reading while in prison. In this regard, suppose, I was little different from other Republicans who have gotten their political education in the universities of Curragh, Long Kesh, Crumlin Road, Portlavise, and now Limerick. I'm an avid reader and devoured books on politics.

My initial reading material was republican - Dan Breen, Tom Barry and the like. It was when I was imprisoned in Portlavise from 1977 to 1981 that I really became acquainted with the socialist classies - ranging from Connolly to Marx, from Fanon and Cabral to Guevara and Mandel.

How did this reading influence you?

Well, it enabled me to analyse situations, think through and to gain an under- probiems standing the various link between the Irish struggle tion? and those of other peoples: that An interview with Dominic McGlinchey, from 'Starry Plough' a victory for us and victory here is a victory for all.

What is your reaction to the media characterisation of you as ''the most wanted man in Ireland."?

It's a bit of a joke. I am just an ordinary Irish Republican Socialist who is determined to strive for a free socialist Ireland.

I'm also an internationalist as all true socialists are. But the media building me up is ridiculous. I'm no Che Guevara. think this building up is part of a ploy. "Build him up to knock him down." And this of course results in further demoralisation.

How do you view the current developments in Sinn Fein?

I welcome them. It can only be to the advantage of all anti-imperialists and the Irish people to have political action on a 32county basis - political action relating to the issues affecting the Irish people.

Traditionally, republicans have neglected the South have failed to see the necessity for a broad-based mass movement. It's good to see steps being taken to overcome this.

Of course. And not just on the welcome unity of action on a broad front basis among all anti-imperialists on other issues anti-repression, neutrality.

think action on these could lead to greater understanding of the direct relationship between these issues and the overall struggle against imperialism.

How do you see the electoral rise of the Workers Party?

They are not revolutionaries but a reformist party full of contradictions. They are reformists - you cannot reform imperialisın. They welcome the takeover of the economy by multinationals. They have accommodated themselves with the EEC.

they are essentially a EuroCommunist party trapped within bourgeois democracy.

Reformists don't make revolutions.

What do you think of the position of women in the irish I think their role needs more emphasis. It is difficult to break down the sexism and stereotyping built up by the capitalist media. We have to break down this hegemony: It will be a struggle with limited gains until revolutionary power is gained. For our part. women play an equal role in our movement. What do you think of international support for the Irish I think it essential. Of course every victory over imperialism strengthens our hand. The victories in Nicaragua are a victory for us.

We must remember too, that it is not in the interests of the US to have a free Ireland. The US is an imperialist power linked with Britain. Britain acts as policeman for imperialism in Ireland.

So anything that weakens imperialism is to the benefit of the Irish people.

Getting back to your personal position. How has it affected you?

Well, I have a wife and two children. Being on the run has affected our family life. We would like to live a normal life but it is impossible to live a normal life in the midst of oppression. I could not stand idly by while imperialism holds sway in Ireland.

On the other

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