Ireland
Report whitewashes Ireland’s unmarried mother and baby homes scandal: 9,000 dead babies, mass graves, illegal medical experiments, trafficking
By Margot Miller and Steve James, 27 January 2021
Of the 57,000 babies born in the homes investigated, a shocking 15 percent died before their lives had hardly begun.
Irish health system on brink of collapse as COVID-19 figures surge
By Dermot Quinn, 14 January 2021
Ireland's health services are being rapidly overwhelmed by escalating rates of coronavirus infection.
This week in history: November 23-29
23 November 2020
On November 29, 1945, the Federal People’s Republic of Yugoslavia was proclaimed following the successful repulsion of Nazi Germany’s attempt to subjugate the country, and Germany’s defeat in World War II in May. The establishment of the republic involved the deposing of King Peter II and the end of the Karađorđević dynasty that he headed. It was the outcome of a mass partisan struggle against fascism.
This week in history: November 16-22
16 November 2020
25 years ago: Peres succeeds Rabin as Israeli prime ministerOn November 22, 1995, Shimon Peres officially succeeded Yitzhak Rabin as Israeli prime minister, 18 days after Rabin was assassinated by a religious Zionist fanatic. Peres’s major political moves upon taking office—an appeal for new peace talks with Syrian President Hafez al-Assad and the appointment of several new cabinet ministers—demonstrated an acute awareness of the depth and explosive potential of the social and political crisis of the Zionist state.
Irish teachers vote to strike as infection rates spiral
By Steve James and Dermot Quinn, 9 November 2020
Schools in the Republic of Ireland reopened last week after a two-week break, despite secondary teachers voting for strike action against dangerous working conditions if COVID-19 related safety measures were not put in place by October 30.
Irish government rejects medical experts as coronavirus infections spiral out of control
By Dermot Byrne, 13 October 2020
Ireland's coalition government has scorned advice from scientists and medical experts to impose a full lockdown.
US Democrats warn UK Tories no trade deal if Good Friday Agreement threatened by hard Brexit
By Robert Stevens, 18 September 2020
Whatever the parliamentary arithmetic, Johnson is carrying out measures that can only deepen geopolitical fault lines.
Ireland heading for second COVID-19 wave
By Steve James, 21 July 2020
Ireland’s National Public Health Emergency Team has warned of a second wave of COVID-19 infection as the Central Bank warns of a “severe negative shock”.
Ireland’s Greens agree to join austerity coalition government
By Dermot Quinn, 1 July 2020
Almost five months after Ireland’s February 8 general election, Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have formed a coalition government after the Green Party voted to come on board.
Irish government plans full return to work by August
By Dermot Quinn, 4 June 2020
Ireland is pressing ahead with a five-phase plan to enforce a full return to work by August, while talks for a viciously anti-working class coalition government continue.
One dead and more than 600 Irish meat processing workers infected with coronavirus
By Robert Stevens, 16 May 2020
There are 23,956 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Republic of Ireland and 1,518 deaths—one of the highest death ratios in the world. In Northern Ireland, 4,317 people have tested positive, with 469 deaths.
Ireland woefully unprepared for COVID-19 onslaught
By Dermot Byrne, 4 April 2020
The European Centre for Disease Control warns that the intensive care system in Irish hospitals will not be able to cope with rising numbers of coronavirus patients in critical condition.
Irish pseudo-left groups back Sinn Féin-led coalition
By Steve James, 26 February 2020
In this volatile situation, overhung by economic uncertainty and the impact of Britain’s departure from the EU, the pseudo-left parties are playing the central role in agitating for a Sinn Féin-led coalition.
Sinn Féin general election win reflects leftward shift in Ireland
By Steve James, 10 February 2020
Sinn Féin are the undeserving beneficiaries of a sharp shift to the left among broad sections of working people and youth.
Social inequality main issue in the Irish general election
By Dermot Byrne, 6 February 2020
The Irish general election takes place under conditions of immense instability and uncertainty, with workers looking for a political alternative.
Nurses and health workers strike in Northern Ireland
By our reporters, 19 December 2019
Over 15,000 nurses and other health workers struck December 18 in Northern Ireland over pay and staffing.
Northern Ireland: Harland and Wolff shipyard workers continue occupation
By Steve James, 6 September 2019
Workers at Belfast’s Harland and Wolff have been occupying its shipyard since late July.
Ryanair faces industrial unrest across Europe
By our reporter, 22 August 2019
Ryanair organises its operations on a pan-European basis and faces a situation in which workers in four of its subsidiaries are in dispute.
Brexit threatens to destabilise Ireland on both sides of the border
By Steve James, 9 August 2019
Transatlantic tensions and the Brexit crisis are undermining the Good Friday Agreement.
Irish unions sabotage health workers’ strikes
By Dermot Byrne, 3 July 2019
Irish health unions called off the walkouts and have sought to divert anger into appeals to the Labour Court.
Scottish government threatens to seize Irish fishing vessels
By Steve James, 12 June 2019
Last week, the Irish government received a formal letter of notice of the Scottish government’s intention to seize Irish fishing vessels operating within 12 miles of Rockall.
Greens make gains in Ireland’s European and local elections
By Dermot Byrne, 10 June 2019
Irish results in the European elections showed setbacks for Sinn Fein and the pseudo-left groups.
French Nutella workers strike, Tram and metro workers’ stoppage in Greek capital
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
7 June 2019
Workers at the Nutella factory in Normandy have been blockading the plant over demands for a wage increase while Greek tram workers stopped work Monday to protest the Syriza government’s attacks on public transportation.
Thousands of jobs threatened at Bombardier plants in Belfast and Casablanca
By Steve James, 7 May 2019
Bombardier’s move is the next phase of a global restructuring necessitated by ferocious competition in the world airline industry.
Only one UK soldier to be prosecuted for Bloody Sunday 47 years on
By Steve James, 26 March 2019
Bloody Sunday is one of the most notorious crimes of British imperialism. The massacre took place three years into the deployment of tens of thousands of British troops to Northern Ireland.
Irish nurses’ union seeks to impose settlement after calling off strike
By Dermot Byrne, 20 February 2019
The INMO nurses’ union is betraying the struggle for a decent pay rise and better working conditions.
40,000 Irish nurses to participate in series of one day strikes
By Dermot Byrne and David Byrne, 30 January 2019
Members of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) are to hold the first in a series of 24-hour strikes today over pay and conditions.
Protests against poverty, housing evictions and repossessions spread across Ireland
By Steve James, 5 January 2019
Figures released by the Department of Housing last July showed that nearly 10,000 people in Ireland are living in emergency accommodation. Housing campaigners suggest the real figure is double that.
Ireland votes to remove blasphemy from the constitution and re-elects Michael D. Higgins as president
By Dermot Byrne and Steve James, 3 November 2018
The collapse of Sinn Fein and the Labour Party, and their eclipse by the right-winger Casey, underscores the urgent need for a genuine socialist party of the working class in Ireland.
Armed police used in illegal evictions in Dublin, Ireland
By Steve James, 2 October 2018
Ten years after the collapse of Lehman Brothers and triggered the greatest financial crisis in Irish history, housing conditions are becoming intolerable for masses of people.
UK: Journalists exposing police collusion in Loughinisland massacre arrested
By Steve James, 12 September 2018
Relatives of the six men killed in 1994 protested the arrests, holding a vigil outside the bar in Loughinisland, Northern Ireland where they were shot.
The abortion vote in Ireland: A blow against reaction
By Patrick Martin, 29 May 2018
The referendum vote demonstrates that working people, and broad sections of the middle class, are fully prepared to fight for the extension and expansion of democratic rights.
Ireland votes to repeal anti-abortion amendment
By Steve James, 28 May 2018
The result signals a shift to the left among broad sections of the Irish population.
Irish government calls abortion referendum
By Dermot Quinn, 23 April 2018
The referendum comes after years of intense campaigns, protests and even a strike demanding abortion rights.
Northern Ireland: Loyalist killer was a police agent
By Steve James, 19 March 2018
Gary Haggarty was working as a British agent when he killed five people on what the government still insists is the “British soil” of Northern Ireland.
Draft EU Brexit agreement deepens divisions over Northern Ireland
By Steve James, 2 March 2018
The European powers’ draft, put together in consultation with the Irish government, is an aggressive response to British maneuvers.
Deal to restore power sharing in Northern Ireland collapses
By Steve James, 21 February 2018
The dispute between all the parties centres primarily at this stage not on language, but on Brexit and the status of Northern Ireland’s border with the Irish Republic.
Political turmoil over Ireland’s post-Brexit status escalates
By Steve James, 28 November 2017
Northern Ireland has not had a functioning government for months. Now the government in the Republic of Ireland faces collapse.
Hurricane Ophelia’s tail hits Ireland and UK
By Margot Miller, 17 October 2017
Three lives were reported lost and winds of up to 109 mph left 360,000 homes and businesses without power in the Republic of Ireland.
Irish nationalism versus socialist internationalism: A reply to a reader—Part two
By Steve James, 10 August 2017
Knox proceeds from insisting that the British working class is hopeless to exalting the nationalist revolutionary traditions of the Irish working class.
Irish nationalism versus socialist internationalism: A reply to a reader—Part one
By Steve James, 9 August 2017
Knox proceeds from insisting that the British working class is hopeless to exalting the nationalist revolutionary traditions of the Irish working class.
New Irish prime minister uses identity politics to cover-up right-wing agenda
By Dermot Quinn, 12 July 2017
Varadkar was a staunch supporter of the last four government budgets, which favoured tax cuts for the richest 10 percent.
UK: Conservatives seek toxic alliance with Democratic Unionist Party
By Steve James, 24 June 2017
The DUP’s current policy is to extract as many concessions as possible to offset the catastrophic economic impact of Brexit, while maintaining Northern Ireland’s position in the UK.
European Council endorses Irish unification in hardline negotiations over Brexit
By Steve James, 8 May 2017
The European Union position on Ireland is a challenge to British imperialism on the territory of its oldest colony.
Irish unions scuttle Bus Eireann strike
By Dermot Quinn, 19 April 2017
Strike action by transport workers against Bus Eireann’s cost-cutting measures has been foiled by the unions twice since February.
Irish bus workers defy unions and continue strike
By Dermot Quinn, 5 April 2017
To the consternation of the unions and political establishment, Bus Eireann workers set up pickets at city bus depots and trains last Friday.
The real legacy of Martin McGuiness: Sectarianism and austerity
By Paul Mitchell, 24 March 2017
McGuinness’s evolution from gunman to bourgeois politician was not a break from his republican principles, but the outcome of the petty-bourgeois nationalist perspective of republicanism.
Unionism loses its grip on Northern Ireland in March 2 election
By Steve James, 7 March 2017
Overhanging the election was the deepening crisis surrounding Brexit, which will transform the border between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic into an external boundary of the EU.
Border issues and Brexit dominate Northern Ireland elections
By Steve James, 27 February 2017
The British and Irish governments have insisted that, post-Brexit, no border checks will be imposed, but no one has yet come up with a means to explain how this can be done.
Northern Ireland general election called as Stormont collapses amid Brexit crisis
By Steve James, 24 January 2017
The resignation of Sinn Fein’s Martin McGuinness, Northern Ireland’s deputy first minister, was aimed at bringing down his rival, First Minister Arlene Foster of the DUP.
Resignation of Sinn Fein’s McGuinness throws Northern Ireland into crisis
By Steve James, 14 January 2017
Since 2007, Sinn Fein and Martin McGuinness have defended power-sharing and their relationship with the Democratic Unionist Party.
Irish government defends tax dodging by Apple
By Chris Marsden, 21 December 2016
The Fine Gael government opposes demands by the European Union that the American technology giant pay $13 billion in back taxes.
Irish unions seek deal with government to prevent industrial unrest
By Dermot Quinn, 2 December 2016
Posturing as defenders of workers interests, the union bureaucracy is trying to re-establish the “social partnership” agreement with the government it previously enjoyed.
Irish ruling elite in deep crisis over Brexit
By Steve James, 14 November 2016
The collapse in the value of the pound against the euro is increasing the price of the €4.4 billion in food exports from the Irish republic to Britain.
Irish unions call off Dublin bus strike
By Dermot Quinn, 30 September 2016
The unions are winding down the dispute and paving the way for the defeat of their members’ struggle.
Dublin, Ireland bus workers start series of strikes
By Dermot Byrne, 10 September 2016
As a result of chronic underfunding of public services such as transportation and pay freezes in the public sector bus workers have not received a pay increase in eight years.
Irish government to appeal European Commission ruling on Apple’s tax bill
By Steve James, 5 September 2016
Ireland, a centre for tax dodging by leading US-based transnational corporations, is uniquely vulnerable to the deepening divisions between the US and the European Union.
Irish government crisis over Apple’s €13 billion tax dodge
By Robert Stevens, 1 September 2016
The EU’s decision to fine Apple for failing to pay taxes has triggered a major crisis in Irish ruling circles.
Northern Ireland: Police collusion established in 1994 Loughinisland massacre
By Steve James, 21 June 2016
On June 18, 1994, 15 football supporters at the Heights Bar in Loughinisland were watching Ireland in the opening match of the soccer World Cup when 11 of them were gunned down.
Ireland’s Fine Gael forms minority government after pact with Fianna Fail
By Dermot Quinn, 16 May 2016
After weeks of negotiations, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny has been elected prime minister.
Last-minute efforts to form a government in Ireland before parliament resumes
By Dermot Quinn, 5 April 2016
Ireland has been without a government since the February 26 general election, which saw a repudiation of the right-wing policies of the Fine Gael/Labour coalition.
One hundred years since Ireland’s Easter Rising—Part three
By Jordan Shilton, 29 March 2016
The Easter Rising was a seminal event in Irish history, the lessons of which the working class must assimilate.
One hundred years since Ireland’s Easter Rising—Part two
By Jordan Shilton, 28 March 2016
The Easter Rising was a seminal event in Irish history whose lessons the working class must assimilate.
One hundred years since Ireland’s Easter Rising—Part One
By Jordan Shilton, 26 March 2016
The Easter Rising was a seminal event in Irish history with critical political lessons for the international working class.
Left and anti-austerity sentiment produces political earthquake in Ireland
By Dermot Quinn, 3 March 2016
The most significant development was the increase in the popular vote for parties that have painted themselves as “left” alternatives to the two main parties of the Irish bourgeoisie.
Bombardier adds to Northern Ireland manufacturing jobs massacre
By Harvey Thompson, 1 March 2016
The corporation announced that 1,080 jobs would go at its plant in Belfast, Ireland, which makes the wings for its new C-Series plane.
Shankill revelations expose British state informants’ role in mass killings in Ireland
By Steve James, 13 February 2016
Mass murders were carried out by British agents, or were allowed to happen to protect British agents.
Irish pseudo-left form electoral pact
By Dermot Quinn, 5 February 2016
The “Anti-Austerity Alliance-People Before Profit” electoral pact is inspired by Greece’s Syriza, which has imposed draconian austerity measures on the Greek population.
Northern Ireland power sharing agreement threatened after First Minister resigns
By Jordan Shilton, 18 September 2015
Efforts by the unionist parties to paint Sinn Fein as opponents of power sharing are absurd, not least because they have close ties with loyalist paramilitary groups.
Syriza betrayal exposes role of Irish pseudo-left
By Dermot Quinn and Michael Lynch, 7 September 2015
Ireland’s pseudo-left are charting the course that their Greek counterparts have now taken to its logical conclusion.
Power sharing in Northern Ireland threatened with collapse
By Jordan Shilton, 4 September 2015
Both the Republican and Unionist parties consider the encouragement and manipulation of divisions essential in facilitating the intensification of their assault on workers.
Irish voters overwhelmingly support legalisation of same-sex marriage
By Jordan Shilton, 27 May 2015
The vote demonstrated the sharp decline in the influence of the Catholic Church, long the dominant institution in Ireland.
Sinn Fein loses ground in UK elections in Northern Ireland
By Jordan Shilton, 13 May 2015
The key goal shared by Sinn Fein in Northern Ireland and the SNP in Scotland is their attempt to encourage foreign investment into a cheap labour economy.
Irish bus workers strike for 48 hours
By Dermot Quinn, 8 May 2015
The continued undermining of the pay and conditions of bus workers would not have been possible without the collaboration of the trade unions.
Irish police clamp down on water charge protesters
By Dermot Quinn, 25 February 2015
There is widespread opposition from working people to the water charge, which is seen as an attempt to make them pay for the economic crisis.
Socialist Equality Group in Ireland holds first public meeting
By Paul Mitchell, 7 February 2015
The newly formed Socialist Equality Group (SEG) held a meeting entitled “The Struggle for Trotskyism in Ireland” in Dublin on February 3.
Thousands march against water charges in Dublin and other Irish cities
By our reporters, 2 February 2015
The water charges are supported by the Dublin government as part of the multi-billion euro bailout programme concluded with the Troika in 2010.
Public meeting Tuesday in Dublin, Ireland: The Struggle for Trotskyism in Ireland
31 January 2015
The Socialist Equality Group is holding a public meeting in Dublin on February 3.
Pseudo-left groups mislead protests against water charges in Ireland
By Jordan Shilton, 27 January 2015
The trade union bureaucracy in Ireland has actively worked to undermine every attempt at resistance to austerity, including imposing a strike ban in the public sector.
New agreement opens assault on welfare and public sector in Northern Ireland
By Steve James, 5 January 2015
The latest pact seeks to deliver full implementation of the austerity measures demanded by the British government in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis.
Ireland opens parliamentary inquiry into banking crisis
By Jordan Shilton, 27 December 2014
Even at this early stage, it is clear that nothing will be done to uncover the criminal practices of those who crashed the economy through financial speculation.
Protests mount against water charges in Ireland
By Jordan Shilton, 11 December 2014
User charges on water will still see a family paying €260 annually and a single person €160.
Hundreds demonstrate in Dublin in support of locked-out waste collection workers
By Jordan Shilton, 15 July 2014
Workers in Dublin are protesting a lockout imposed by Greyhound Recycling.
Irish Labour Party members hold ballot for new leader
By Dermot Quinn and Jordan Shilton, 19 June 2014
The contest was triggered last month by the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister and Labour Leader Eamon Gilmore.
Ireland’s governing parties punished in local and European elections
By Jordan Shilton, 31 May 2014
The most significant result was the collapse of support for the Labour Party and the resignation of its leader.
The significance of the arrest of Gerry Adams
By Steve James, 7 May 2014
Arresting Adams places a question mark over the entire political framework used to open the North of Ireland for investment based on tax breaks and cheap labour, while dismantling the large British military apparatus.
Irish government creates police unit to target social welfare claimants
By Dermott Quinn, 3 May 2014
The government’s 2014 budget aims to slash social spending by €2.5 billion.
Irish government rocked by exposure of secret police wire-tapping
By Jordan Shilton, 11 April 2014
Leaks show that for over 30 years, Garda stations and prisons across the country have been bugged with listening devices that have been used to record outgoing and incoming telephone calls.
Irish high court outlaws strike by airport workers
By Jordan Shilton, 18 March 2014
The corporate elite are demonising the airport workers for daring to resist attacks on their working conditions.
Ireland: Letters promising immunity for IRA fugitives revealed in Downey prosecution
By Jordan Shilton, 17 March 2014
The UK government is determined to conceal the criminal practices of the British state in Northern Ireland.
Irish government preparing army to break strike by airport workers
By Jordan Shilton, 5 March 2014
The plan to involve the military marks an intensification of the assault on any section of Irish workers seeking to defend their jobs and living conditions.
Irish airport workers latest to strike over pensions
By Jordan Shilton, 21 February 2014
The Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme is in deficit by around €780 million, and trustees are seeking to offload the funding crisis onto the workers.
Ireland’s Socialist Workers Party promotes strikebreaker David Norris
By Jordan Shilton, 18 February 2014
Based on an explicit rejection of socialism, the United Left Alliance has promoted the illusion that Irish capitalism can be saved through a reformist programme carried out by the state.
The Irish trade unions, the pseudo-left and the Dublin lockout centenary
By Jordan Shilton, 5 February 2014
A series of events has been staged over the last months to mark a century since the great Dublin lockout, which began August 26, 1913, and ended January 18, 1914.
Irish government presses ahead with public sector attacks
By Dermot Quinn and Jordan Shilton, 25 January 2014
The next stage of the Fine Gael-Labour coalition’s reform plans will see further job cuts, rationalisations and the elimination of essential social services.
Over 400 jobs cut in Ireland as Lufthansa subsidiary shuts plant
By Jordan Shilton, 13 January 2014
Lufthansa Technik announced the closure of a facility near Dublin.
Ruling circles hail social misery produced by Irish bailout
By Jordan Shilton, 19 December 2013
State debt is currently at 124 percent of GDP—comparable with Portugal and surpassed only by Greece and Italy within Europe.
Unions capitulate on pensions at Irish energy supplier
By Jordan Shilton, 13 December 2013
The dispute arose over a €1.6 billion deficit in the pension scheme and the company’s decision to change from a defined benefit to a defined contribution system.
Irish pseudo-left signs off on repaying EU bank bailout
By Jordan Shilton, 12 December 2013
The pseudo-left Socialist Party and Socialist Workers Party support the repayment of the vast majority of Ireland’s debt of hundreds of billions of euros.
Poverty skyrockets in Ireland as the ruling elite gets richer
By Dermot Quinn and Emily Doyle, 6 December 2013
Poverty levels continue to rise in Ireland, while the number of Irish billionaires has doubled since the economic crash.
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