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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. One said he deeply regrets endorsing it.

"As far as we are concerned, the Good Friday Agreement is a pacification process to give up Republicanism.

"The IRSP has always believed that the Agreement was a copper fastening of partition.

"But once the Agreement was signed, we believed Republicans were trying the political road and giving up the use of an armed strategy.

"The INLA was convinced to go on the same road.

"The IRSP focused on building up the party rather than overturning the agreement.

"Now Republicans are being asked to endorse the police and judicial system.

"As this debate has 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."

OPPOSITION

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. Republicans, from a fair region of diversity are getting together to debate and discuss tactics, strategies and alternatives to the Good Friday Agreement, which has failed Republican objectives.

STRATEGY

"It is very clear within the group that it is an unarmed strategy.

"I did say at the first meeting that was called that I believe that even with an amalgamation of groups such as the INLA, Real IRA and the Continuity, that an effective military campaign against the British could not be achieved at this juncture.

"No-one in the room 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 these Independent candidates.

"They are traditional republicans.

He adds, "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?"