A DIVISION on right and left wing ideologies that has been festering for some time in Sinn Féin resulted last night in some 80 delegates walking out of the party’s ard-fheis in the Intercontinental Hotel .
The split developed ostensibly over the issue of abstentionism from parliament; but many republicans feel that the more basic issues of socialist policy, and social, civic and economic tactics as opposed to a more immediate militaristic position, are the essential cause of the break.
The dissident delegates, who adjourned to the Kevin Barry Hall in Parnell square and reconvened as “the adjourned Sinn Féin Ard-Fheis,” have announced that they would support the Provisional Council of the IRA, a group which has broken away from the recognised IRA after disagreement over the IRA role in Northern Ireland.
It is understood that while the breakaway group has some support from militarists in Belfast, the numbers amount to only a small proportion of the IRA force.
Although some republicans expressed fears last night that the breakaway group might take direct military action in the North in the near future, Tomás MacGiolla, president of Sinn Féin, said he doubted if this would be the case. Mr MacGiolla also denied that a split had taken place: “I wouldn’t say it is a split yet . . . I think it is most unfortunate that an argument should have developed which can only benefit British imperialism.”
The break came after two days of intense debate in private session at the most controversial Sinn Féin ard fheis in years. Delegates spent three hours yesterday afternoon debating the motion to end abstentionism and enter successful parliamentary candidates in Westminster, Leinster House and Stormont, but did not reach the required two-thirds majority to pass the motion. Of the 257 delegates present, 153 voted to end abstentionism. Later, when the motion pledging the party’s allegiance to the IRA came up, scuffles broke out behind the closed doors of the conference hall, and after some tumult and uproar, the dissident delegates flooded into the corridor.
Seán Ó Brádaigh told reporters: “Yes, this amounts to a split. This is a walk-out. The motion to enter parliament was defeated, and . . . we will not now give our allegiance to any but the Provisional Council of the IRA.”
Ruairí Ó Brádaigh and Seán MacStiofáin, of Liverpool, were others leading the walk-out, and Joe Clarke, 1916 veteran, was also in the group. Mr Clarke said he would not support “the crowd who wanted to enter parliament”.
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