Death of Ruairi Ó Brádaigh

[theticklemister]

Steadfast, perhaps. But he did nothing useful to bring about a United Ireland.

Any suggestions about what he might have tried?

Maybe not letting himself become a marginalised and powerless idealistic hardline Republican and moved towards the centre? Even Paisley saw which way the wind was blowing.

We need more Berties and less Bradaighs, no matter how bad that sounds.

But why should he sell out his beliefs to gain power?

If he wants to effect change in the direction he ultimately wants things to get to it's the only way. Once the Troubles started to die down public opinion became increasinly moderate and voices like Bradaigh's became smaller and smaller with each utterance.

As a man who stayed true to his principle was he a success? Sure.

As a politician, or as someone who impacted the course ofRepublican politics? A near-complete failure.

He kept Republican politics straight, he did not steer from course. Others diluted Republican politics; they certainly impacted Republican politics.

[Syferus]

Steadfast, perhaps. But he did nothing useful to bring about a United Ireland.

Any suggestions about what he might have tried?

Maybe not letting himself become a marginalised and powerless idealistic hardline Republican and moved towards the centre? Even Paisley saw which way the wind was blowing.

We need more Berties and less Bradaighs, no matter how bad that sounds.

But why should he sell out his beliefs to gain power?

If he wants to effect change in the direction he ultimately wants things to get to it's the only way. Once the Troubles started to die down public opinion became increasinly moderate and voices like Bradaigh's became smaller and smaller with each utterance.

As a man who stayed true to his principle was he a success? Sure.

As a politician, or as someone who impacted the course ofRepublican politics? A near-complete failure.

He kept Republican politics straight, he did not steer from course. Others diluted Republican politics; they certainly impacted Republican politics.

Shouldn't the result be king, rather than the method? Twenty years of moderate politics by the likes of Bradaigh when the Troubles died down would have brought a united Ireland closer than simply sticking to his guns. He became what Paisley would have if he continued to shout no.

We're closer today to that goal than any amount of hardline Republicanism would ever have got us.

[OakleafCounty]

Steadfast, perhaps. But he did nothing useful to bring about a United Ireland.

Just like every other Republican/Nationalist politician/activist then.

His group (RSF) believe that the "army council" of the CIRA is the legimate government of Ireland. He stood by his principals but so does Nick Griffin. 

[larryin89]

RIP brave warrior.

A principled republican to the last . To those slating his refusal to bow or be broken, there is no point in telling you why as you'll never understand.

Republican objectives is not unification alone, also.

[orangeman]

What he did or didn't do in the opinion of people out there, the one thing he did do was remain true to his beliefs, even if some believe it was folly, silly or misguided.

For that alone, he has to be admired and respected.

[ardal]

What he did or didn't do in the opinion of people out there, the one thing he did do was remain true to his beliefs, even if some believe it was folly, silly or misguided.

For that alone, he has to be admired and respected.

Sorry but isn't this akin to defending the right to march down "the traditional route"?

I do agree with people sticking to their principles rather than jumping ship or band wagon every couple of seconds, but there are also times when our principles are simply outdated, ask for the opinions of those on the garvaghy road for instance.

[Hardy]

What he did or didn't do in the opinion of people out there, the one thing he did do was remain true to his beliefs, even if some believe it was folly, silly or misguided.

For that alone, he has to be admired and respected.

Sorry, but that's something I just can't subscribe to. I simply don't see how going through your life without ever changing your mind about anything is held up as a virtue. Isn't it a definition of stupidity?

"When the information changes, I alter my conclusions. What do you do, sir?"

[Main Street]

What he did or didn't do in the opinion of people out there, the one thing he did do was remain true to his beliefs, even if some believe it was folly, silly or misguided.

For that alone, he has to be admired and respected.

Sorry, but that's something I just can't subscribe to. I simply don't see how going through your life without ever changing your mind about anything is held up as a virtue. Isn't it a definition of stupidity?

"When the information changes, I alter my conclusions. What do you do, sir?"

"going through your life without ever changing your mind about anything"  is one thing
and
"the one thing he did do was remain true to his beliefs, even if some believe it was folly, silly or misguided"  is another thing.

It's facile to suggest O'Bradaigh did not change his mind about anything.

[ardal]

Pretty sure Hardy is making reference to Orangemans comment

[Rossfan]

A hated Republican is dead. (by unionists anyway)

Hatred - the favourite feeling of Unionists it seems.
Once more show their true colours.
Like Donaldson ( See SPADS thread) wants to rewrite the Good Friday Agreement to redefine victims to be only those caused by Republican violence.
When will the penny drop on those cnuts that the old bully boy days of their way being the only way are long gone - and it took 30 years of "war" followed by 9 years of waiting for the DUP to recognise the facts- to bring that about.

[orangeman]

What he did or didn't do in the opinion of people out there, the one thing he did do was remain true to his beliefs, even if some believe it was folly, silly or misguided.

For that alone, he has to be admired and respected.

Sorry, but that's something I just can't subscribe to. I simply don't see how going through your life without ever changing your mind about anything is held up as a virtue. Isn't it a definition of stupidity?

"When the information changes, I alter my conclusions. What do you do, sir?"

Maybe he will be seen as a dinosaur by a lot of people. Not being prepared to change with the times doesn't necessarily make a man stupid. Sticking to his guns ( pardon the pun ) was his right.

[Syferus]

What he did or didn't do in the opinion of people out there, the one thing he did do was remain true to his beliefs, even if some believe it was folly, silly or misguided.

For that alone, he has to be admired and respected.

Sorry, but that's something I just can't subscribe to. I simply don't see how going through your life without ever changing your mind about anything is held up as a virtue. Isn't it a definition of stupidity?

"When the information changes, I alter my conclusions. What do you do, sir?"

Maybe he will be seen as a dinosaur by a lot of people. Not being prepared to change with the times doesn't necessarily make a man stupid. Sticking to his guns ( pardon the pun ) was his right.

It was the right of some very bad men throughout history, it says nothing about a man's ability or worthiness. Obstinance is more often than not a trait that shouldn't be celebrated and this is clearly one of those cases.

You said no a lot. Bully for you.

[Jim_Murphy_74]

RIP brave warrior.

A principled republican to the last . To those slating his refusal to bow or be broken, there is no point in telling you why as you'll never understand.

Republican objectives is not unification alone, also.

He held himself (and indirectly the rest of us) to ransom over what was decided by one survivor of the first Dáil. 

It seemed his view was that only the realisation of a socialist republic could free us from violence.  A general election of almost a hundred years ago over-ruled an All-Island poll of 1994 because of this ransom.

So yes: a principled republican to the last but not a democrat.  The latter in my book something far more admirable.

/Jim.

[Lar Naparka]

I met Ruari a couple of times when I was in my late teens/early twenties and what I remember most about him was his mild manner and his unfailing affability.
I couldn't imagine Ruari not opening a door for a lady or mugging a granny or anything of the sort.
Definitely a gent of the old school.
While I never got to know him well, I was on familiar terms with a number of his republican fellow-travellers and to a man (and woman) they were prepared to die for their cause.
Seamus "Vicky" Mangan, a teacher at my secondary school was Ruari's greatest fan.
He was extremely proud of the fact that he had been interned alongside O Bradaigh during the 1940s.
Vicky was prepared to die for Ireland – at any time or any place.
Living for Ireland seemed to have been way down his list of priorities.
John Joe McGirl, another of the diehard republican brigade, was a frequent visitor to my family home where he and me oul' fella would spend hours romanticising about a return to the old glory days when there wasn't even the smell of a Brit to be found throughout the land. (BTW, I'm convinced that John Joe was involved in the kidnapping of Shergar.)
The Ireland they hoped to build someday was even more illusory. The island would be peopled by Fíor Gaels who would live in peace and harmony with their neighbours- the same as was the case before the hated English arrived.
The economy would be based on the Israeli kibbutz model and everyone would go to mass on Sundays. The Ireland of their dreams would have no truck whatever with the bigger island across the Irish Sea.
Even as a young kid, I found this a bit hard to swallow as I knew that over half the young people had to sail across the same sea to earn their living. Many homes in my neighbourhood depended heavily on the sent back by their sons and daughters from the land of the enemy.
I felt it prudent not top bring the subject up with the old boy as I'd get a boot up the arse for my trouble. I kept my doubts to myself and also the doubts that were forming about the sanity of the die-for-Ireland brigade.
Later, when I started to teach in Dublin, I met up with a number of old school republicans, including Con Lehane and Albert Price.
Con was a co-founder of Ailtiri na h-Aiséirghe, probably the loopiest of all the loopy political parities that ever saw the light of day. (Not unsurprisingly, the launch took place in the back lounge of the Teachers' Club in Parnell Square in the early hours of a Saturday morning.)
The party was founded in 1942, at the height of World War II, and it supported the Nazis. "My enemy's enemy is my friend," could have been their motto. Incidentally, it was also strongly anti-semite.
It drew support from all quarters with republicans, Sean Treacy and Dan Breen, on the same side as Blueshirts such as Ernest Blythe and Oliver J Flanagan. Sean Sabhat was also a supporter.
Those were indeed crazy times with some equally crazy people to match. Luckily, for the sanity of the nation, the party, or at least the leadership, never went anywhere except perhaps back to the same bar in Parnell Square.
All this was long before my time but I was in Con's company many times after hours in The Teachers' Club, where all present would toast the Fight for Freedom and get pissed as lords every time.
That's where I first met Albert Price who was also a staunch supporter of O Bradaigh.
I was at the protest rally in Newry the week after Bloody Sunday. On the way downhill on the Dublin Road, I literally bumped into Albert. He causally informed me that he was prepared for trouble and if "they" wanted it, he'd give it to them.
"What?" sez I, "whaddya mean?
In response, he pointed to his left shoe and said he had a handgun stuck in his stocking and was prepared to use it if necessary. Believe me, I soon put bodies between his and mine!
So Ruairi has departed the scene and another link with our "glorious" past is severed.
I don't know if he would have done any or all of the things I mentioned above but the individuals I referred to held him in the highest esteem. There were fellow-travellers in every meaning of the term.
No doubt he was sincere in his political beliefs  but I can't help feeling that Ireland has become a slightly saner place to be with his passing.

[Evil Genius]

When I think of the likes of Brady [sic], I almost wish I believed in the concept of Heaven and Hell. Or one of them, anyhow.

He was murderous, ruthless and bitterly uncompromising, yet also capable of rank hypocrisy.

In short, a total kunt.

Ireland is a better place for his passing, but it would have been even better had he never been born at all.

On the bright side, at least he got to die in a United Irel... No wait

P.S. Is there any chance he was related to Ian Brady?