POWER
PLAY
This book is dedicated to all the victims of the violence arising from the Troubles
POWER
PLAY
THE RISE OF MODERN SINN FÉIN
DEAGLÁN DE BRÉADÚN
First published in 2015 by
Merrion Press
8 Chapel Lane
Sallins
Co. Kildare
© 2015 Deaglán de Bréadún
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
An entry can be found on request
978-1- 78537-031-1 (paper)
978-1- 78537-033-5 (PDF)
978-1-78537-043-4 (Epub)
978-1-78537-044-1 (Mobi)
Library of Congress Cataloguing in Publication Data
An entry can be found on request
All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved alone, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.
CONTENTS
Chapter 1: We Need to Talk About Sinn Féin ...
Setting the scene: why Sinn Féin matters even if you don’t like them
Chapter 2: Hello Mary Lou – Goodbye Gerry?
In-depth interview and background on Sinn Féin deputy leader Mary-Lou McDonald
Chapter 3: The Armalite and the Ballot-Box
Chapter 4: From Rebel to Ruler – Martin McGuinness
Meeting the former IRA leader, now the North’s Deputy First Minister, at Stormont Castle
Chapter 5: Now Get Out of That: Disowning Fateful Economic Decisions
Chapter 6: Turning Swords into Ploughshares: Good Friday and its aftermath
Chapter 7: Members, Critics and Observers
Perspectives on Sinn Féin from inside and outside the party
Chapter 8: In the Eye of the Storm
Controversy after controversy for a party that is rarely out of the headlines
Chapter 9: The Rocky Path to Power
Could Sinn Féin end up in government on both sides of the Irish border?
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This project began in early 2014 when literary agent Peter O’Connell approached me to write a book on modern-day Sinn Féin. It was another year before I got down to writing it. Journalistic discretion means that not everyone who helped out can or would wish to be named here but they all know who they are and that my appreciation is genuine. As always, Maria and all the family were unfailingly supportive and encouraging.
Others who gave assistance in different ways include Arthur Beesley, Stephen Collins, Kieran Fagan, Ursula Halligan, Gerry Moriarty, Conor O’Clery, Fergus O’Farrell, Mark Simpson and Irene Stevenson. None of them is responsible for faults in this book.
Some of the interviews were transcribed by Mary Shanahan who was extremely prompt, accurate and professional. On-the-record interviews with Sinn Féin members were facilitated by Ciarán Quinn, Shaun Tracey and Seán Mac Brádaigh. Thanks are also dueto the National Library of Ireland and RTÉ for help in locating archive material.
I wish to stress that no unwarranted slight or insinuation against the character, integrity or reputation of any person or organisation is intended in these pages. Readers who wish to contact me in relation to the content should email [email protected] or write c/o the publishers.
LIST OF PLATES
1.Sinn Féin 2013 ardfheis in Castlebar (l/r): Trevor Ó Clochartaigh, Pearse Doherty, Gerry Adams, Mary Lou McDonald, Martin McGuinness and Sandra McLellan. (pic: Brenda
