BY MICHELE CANNING SMITH
WITH West Tyrone already a hotbed of controversy on the 'will they, won't they' March Assembly elections, it has emerged that an independent Republican candidate may well throw his hat into the lion's den in this constituency. That's the word on the ground from the Irish Republican Socialist Party, who revealed to the Strabane Chronicle yesterday that a Strabane man has put his name forward for contention.
Endorsement for the Independent Republican candidacy will go to an IRSP Ard Comhairle meeting at the weekend.
Moves have been afoot by the Concerned Republican group - a coalition of what many regard as disaffected Republicans - to infiltrate Nationalist strongholds in a bid to challenge Sinn Féin on its policing agenda.
Already, members of the staunchly Republican McGlincheys of South Derry, are set to challenge former comrades in Tyrone and Mid-Ulster. Paul McGlinchey, a member of SF until last month, says he will enter into the election race in direct opposition to party chief, Martin McGuinness.
Gerry McGeogh, a former IRA man from Kileshil, is also set to stand against Sinn Féin in Fermanagh/South Tyrone.
The Chronicle this week spoke with Willie Gallagher, a leading member of the IRSP, on his party's position, and how a series of meetings has led to a political attack on mainstream republicanism. Those meetings, which began in August last year, came as result of a call by a local man, Eddie McGarrigle, at a commemoration in Derry calling for a healing process within the diversity of Republicans.
That initial call has culminated in a decision by a group of Republicans to stand for election. They include disaffected Sinn Féin members, the IRSP, the 32 County Sovereignty Committee and independent republicans, all opposing the Good Friday Agreement.
During a series of meetings, the hugely contentious issue of policing was the 'political thing in town' and proved to be a gathering force for the group.
"There was unanimous support within the grouping that there should be public opposition to any endorsement of the policing and judicial system.
"The policing issue really was when Republicans had to wake up and smell the coffee. Republicans that I have spoken with, who once supported the Good Friday Agreement, now reject it. Some have said they deeply regret endorsing it.
"As far as we are concerned, the Good Friday Agreement is a pacification process to give up Republicanism. Now Republicans are being asked to endorse the police and judicial system.
"As this gained momentum, members of the Concerned Republican group decided to stand as independents. There will be a IRSP Ard Comhairle to see if our party will endorse support for these candidates.
"The feedback is that there is a strong possibility that most constituencies will put someone forward.
Mr Gallagher confirmed that there is a local man who has expressed a wish and that will be considered at this weekend's Ard Comhairle.
"As Independent Republicans, they oppose any endorsement of the PSNI. The policing issue has forced the hand of Republicans. Some of these people until a month ago were members of Sinn Féin."
Mr Gallagher said he believes there is a very strong feeling of opposition gathering across the board to any endorsement of the police or judiciary.
"Sinn Féin would say this is a stepping stone to a United Ireland. But it's a reformist strategy and it is impossible to negotiate away political policing under the framework of the GFA/St Andrew's Agreement.
"It is a simple exchange of principles to go into power with the DUP, nothing more, nothing less.
He said he believed the SF leadership has misread the depth of feeling among republicans on the issue of policing.,
"Overall, I feel it is possible that Sinn Féin could become the third largest party because of protest votes going to independent Republicans.
"This has taken on a momentum of its own and has acted as driving force on the policing debate. We are viewing this in the long term where republicans coming from a fair region of diversity will get talking and debate and discuss tactics, strategies and alternatives.
He clarifies his position by stating that it is very clear within the group that this is an unarmed strategy.
"That was a point reinforced at the first meeting and no one spoke out against that."
Asked whether he believed that voters would opt for what many see as a group on the very sidelines of mainstream political parties, he said, "Can someone tell me the difference in voting for Sinn Fein and voting for the SDLP.
"I can see a situation where people will be comfortable in supporting this group. We are traditional republicans.
"It would be wrong to sit back and do nothing about the endorsement of policing and the criminalisation of the Republican project."
He concludes his interview by setting the scenario: "If Gerry Kelly takes up the Minister of Justice portfolio, will he sign the arrest forms on behalf of the Historical Inquiry Team?"
