Saor Éire

In 1986 there was another split in the Republican Movement and again it was over the issue of recognition of the 26 County State.

In a statement dated October 22nd 1986 Thomas Maguire wrote:

There is no difference between entering the partition parlaiment of Leinster House and entering a partition parlaiment of Stormont. I speak as the sole surviving Teachta Dala of the Second Dail Eireann and as the sole surviving member of the Executive of the Second Dail Eireann.

In December, 1969, as the sole surviving member of the Executive of the Second Dail Eireann, I recognised the Provisional Army Council, which remained true to the Irish Republic as the lawful Army of the Thirty-two County Irish Republic.

I do not recognise the legitimacy of any Army Council styling itself the Army Council of the Irish Republican Army which lends support to any person or organisation styling itself as Sinn Fein and prepared to enter the partition parlaiment of Leinster House.

The majority of delegates to a recent IRA convention purported to accept the Leinster House partition parlaiment, and in so doing broke faith and betrayed the trust placed in their predecessors in 1969.

The Irish Republic, proclaimed in arms in Easter Week 1916 and established by the democratic majority vote of the people in the General Election of 1918, has been defended by Irish Republicans for several generations. Many have laid down their lives in that defence. Many others have suffered imprisonment and torture.

I am confident the Cause so nobly served will yet triumph.

"If but a few are faithful found, they must be all the more steadfast for being but a few"
(Terence Mac Swiney, Principles of Freedom)

Dated the 22nd day of October, 1986.

Signed: Thomas Maguire
Tomas Maguidhir
Comdt. General