A chara, – It is disappointing to see that the republican memorial in Fairview park has again been vandalised. The monument is not dedicated to Seán Russell, but to the IRA volunteers who died in the 1930s and 1940s. Thirty three men are named on the monument. All died by execution, on hunger strike, or on active service. The memorial is dominated by a statue of Seán Russell both because of his senior position as chief of staff at the time of his death, and because of the high regard in which he was, and continues to be held.
As a matter of historical fact, Russell was not sympathetic to Nazi Germany nor was he a communist, as previous vandals have suggested.
He was in fact, a traditional physical force Irish republican who dedicated his entire adult life to opposing the British presence in Ireland.
He did visit Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union and the United States (on three occasions) seeking weapons and finance for the IRA. While happy to accept weapons, he himself made it clear that he would not accept any of their ideologies.
He was particularly opposed to fascism and throughout the 1930s and 1940s Russell’s IRA was the principle organisation opposing the spread of fascism in Ireland. Even though Ireland’s fascists, the blueshirts, were claiming an active membership of 100,000 men by 1936, IRA members consistently opposed and disrupted their rallies and membership meetings often resulting in large scale street fights, particularly in Dublin.
Furthermore, the IRA provided the principle source for Frank Ryan to recruit volunteers to fight in the international brigades against Franco’s fascists during the Spanish Civil War.
Nobody disputes that these men fought with great distinction.
The distinction, courage and sacrifice of the men (including Seán Russell) to whom the monument in Fairview Park is dedicated is in clear contrast to the cowardice of the ignorant vandals sneaking around the park with a can of spray paint.
The initial erection of this monument (and many others), its continuing maintenance and repair, is a credit to the organisation and efforts of the members of the National Graves Association.
In 1946, British Intelligence stated that Russell had not been sympathetic to Germany and “clearly did not regard himself as a German agent” (file no KV 2/1292).
Lieutenant Lahousen of German intelligence (the Abwer) said that Russell “found the Nazi philosophy to be anathema”.
Russell himself repeatedly made it clear that he had no sympathy for fascism and there are many sources to back this up.
The Fairview park monument has been repaired and is once again in pristine condition. Contrary to the views of some, no public funds have been involved in the erection, repair or maintenance of any monuments or graves in the care of the National Graves Association. In fact, the National Graves Association accepts no funds whatsoever from any Government body or political party. – Is mise,
Madam, – According to Tom Cooper (July 13th), Seán Russell is “seen as a weak link” by counter republicans intent on attack. Hence their focused fire on an easier target. His view is valid.
Consider a telling contrast: Seán Russell was not alone as he died (August, 1940). He was with another leading republican, Frank Ryan. Both Irishmen were in wartime Germany though their situations differed. But nobody dares to target Frank Ryan.
His impeccable credentials as commander of the Irish anti-fascist volunteers in Spain ensures exemption. - Yours, etc,