Originally formed in 2006 as a Pressure Group of former Republican P.O.W.s' opposed to the British Police in Ireland. The Republican Network for Unity re-organised as a political entity in 2008, in line with the 1916 Proclamation and 1919 Declaration of Independence both of which were democratically endorsed by the Irish people. Earlier this year, at our 2013 Árd Fheis(Annual Conference) the membership of the Network voted overwhelmingly in favour of an Árd Comhairle (National Executive) motion to constitute R.N.U. as a Revolutionary Political Party.
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| 2013 RNU Ard Fheis |
Over the last few months, further protracted discussions took place between various Cumainn (Branches) and An Árd Chomhairle regarding how best to represent working-class communities across Ireland now that R.N.U. is a Revolutionary Party. Last week, the Party announced that two Candidates had been nominated to contest the forthcoming Council Elections in Belfast. The R.N.U. statement also confirmed that it would stand Candidates in the Twenty Six Counties.
Background to R.N.U. Candidates:
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| Sammy destroying Cocaine & Methodrone in 2010 |
Sammy Cussick (41) has been a lifelong Socialist and Republican Activist, originally from Ardoyne who now resides in the Cliftonville area with his wife and five daughters. He has campaigned vigorously on residents, housing and drug abuse as well as, the National Question.
A former member of the Greater Ardoyne Residents Collective (GARC), Sammy is currently active within the North Queen Street and Carrickhill Residents Groups that campaign against sectarian marches through both communities.
Sammy is also a dedicated Anti-Drugs Activist and helped Concerned Families Against Drugs’ (CFAD) and RNU in the safe disposal of tens of thousands of pounds worth of narcotics, taken from Drug Gangs in the greater Belfast area.
He remains pretty active within the North Belfast Civil Rights Association tackling discrimination and homelessness in North Belfast. In particular, he has campaigned for adequate Social Housing on the large Girdwood Barracks site.
Finally, Sammy describes himself as a typical North Belfast Republican, a committed family man with a passion for making his locality a better place to live. He will be standing for the Oldpark Electoral Area.
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| Tommy Doherty, RNU Youth Officer Tommy Doherty (23) is a dedicated Republican Activist and RNU's Youth Officer. In recent years, he has worked as a ‘Youth and Peer Educator’ for Republican Ex-Prisoner support group Tar Anall, for whom he delivered it's ‘Equality Program’ to a host of many Youth Centres and Clubs around Belfast. |
Outside of Tar Anall, Tommy has worked for a variety of Community Projects and Groups in the Lower Falls area. A founding member of the Beechmount Residents Collective, he also Volunteer's for the Blackie Centre in his area. Alongside the Challenge for Youth with the Falls Women's Centre. Tommy won an Excellence Award for his positive contribution to his native Beechmount.
Tommy is currently studying in Youth Work and Conflict Resolution to understand the need, challenges and requirements for young people in deprived areas across West Belfast. He is acutely aware of the demands and frustrations of all generations living within the Lower Falls district.
The Republican Network for Unity believe and hope that in contesting council elections in North & West Belfast, we can further establish our connections with the working class communities there, bringing with us an alternative Republican and Socialist message which can lead to greater empowerment of ordinary people who live there.
In line with the principles of Revolutionary Republicanism, RNU hope to play our part in the re-claming of these areas which have for too long lay neglected by the Constitutional Parties which claim to represent them.
Sammy and Tommy agree that they will bring an Alternative Republican Voice to local politics tied neither to petty sectarian agendas nor the requirements of a failing project in Stormont, but based upon the principles of Revolutionary Irish Republicanism and the interests of Working-Class people.
To conduct both election Campaigns, the Republican Network Unity will of course require much needed finance to provide publicity, literature, posters and transport etc. Donations can be made through our PayPal account that can be accessed by clicking on R.N.U. Logo at the top right-hand corner of this blog. All funds will be greatly appreciated.