‘GARC: Fit to Govern? Fennell’s Gamble Fails!’ by Donal Lavery

Some say leaders are born and not made. Whatever the origins of their talent, they are individuals who, put simply, can inspire and motivate others to do things. When we think of the acclaimed ‘Natural Born Leaders’, images spring to mind of Mandela, Julius Caesar, Kennedy, Churchill and even, closer to home, Mr. Collins & Mr. DeValera. But what are the main traits required to inspire and motivate? Well, they need to have a sense of authority and understanding over what they are doing, and also, an ability to communicate to others where it is they want to go with it all.

In the last Council elections, Damien ‘Dee’ Fennell, sought the endorsement of the people of North Belfast in a trying bid to win a Local Government seat, promising a host of perks should that be an eventuality turned reality. A lot of it to be honest, and I say this as a realist and not just a political opponent, surrounded issues which are under the remit of Westminster or the Assembly – like the case for brand spanking new ‘’health’’ and ‘’leisure’’ centres or policing-related matters. The background and context to the election saw Fennell become involved in establishing a local ‘’residents group’’ some years before in Ardoyne, which was really just an election launching pad/personality cult for his own political aspirations (and remains so). The literature he put around the doors was of a most repugnant motley kind which nobody to date had really seen in their lifetime (especially from a so-called ‘’republican’’), with all GARC’s infamous bile, half-truths, mistruths and downright untruths (accusing decent people/community workers of being collaborators and colluders with the darkest elements of the British state). I worked on the campaign while having a slipped disc in my back, knocking doors here there and everywhere, to ensure despite the pain that this man didn’t become one of our community ‘’leaders’’. Thankfully people saw through it all and didn’t legitimise his tactics at the ballot box. At the City Hall count, I was euphoric when the final results came through and his face espoused defeat.

Now I disagree with People Before Profit on some things, as those who follow my writings are well aware by now. But I don’t doubt for a second that Gerry Carroll or Fiona Ferguson are decent people. Truth be told, I actually gave Fiona Ferguson my transfer vote in a bid to oust Nicola Mallon, because although I am thoroughly opposed to some of the things she stands for (like her pro-choice stance), I think she’s a genuinely good person at heart and would do a better job than her career-driven SDLP opponent has managed to do. Theirs is a student-led group, which may have a strong bout of starry-eyed idealism but which does not threaten the cohesion and good relations people have with one another in society. GARC by contrast, is a quasi-paramilitary subversive force, which utilises all the methods of intimidation, threats, disrespect and bullying, which one would associate with the jackboot antics of authoritarian fascism on the continent – bringing together known dissident paramilitary leaders from across the North to points of contention, for what purpose exactly? Surely Lurgan natives don’t constitute Ardoyne residents.

Now fair enough, I am not motivated by anything Fiona says that would make me want to actually join People Before Profit, but I recognise clearly that yes, she is a leader. She stands for things. Many of them good. She can influence and motivate people constructively. Fennell by contrast, after this recent debacle with Fr. Gary Donegan, has to be considered in the eyes of any right thinking person as simply not fit for office. Would any of the ‘’anti-Agreement Republicans’’ who are undoubtedly reading this and ridiculing me as ‘’pro-Brit’’ (as is their usual tired custom) seriously want their children to have that as a role model to aspire towards? Or better still, who would you prefer as a role model for your children, Fr. Donegan or Dee Fennell? Because that’s what it boils down to. Would you, given our long and troubled history, risk giving peace or war to your country at the ballot box by endorsing that sort of behaviour? Generations did not suffer and die across this part of the island to sacrifice the dividends of peace on the altar of the Dissident ego.

But by far the most nasty feature of Fennell’s new ‘’blood nationalism’’, is the hatred and divisions it is stirring up in both republican and loyalist neighbourhoods, between friends and between families. Indeed, he has emerged, in some senses, as the real leader of the dissident movement/Saoradh in the North Belfast area; But for those who doubt this, the final proof of Fennell’s clout, is that the decent members of GARC/Saoradh dare not challenge him publicly even when he says/does things which disgust decent members of those organisations privately. For one, Martin ‘Og’ Meehan has now fled the area over Fennell’s tactics.

One of the most risible and concerning things about his conduct is how he has been encouraging other young men and women (which he now oddly denies in court) to throw away their lives by jeopardising the hard won peace which we now have here; to boost his own standing among the splinter groups and thugs. Indeed, in his ongoing court case he now denies that his really rather obvious assertion for blood-sheet was not actually a call to arms at all, which should raise a few Dissident eyebrows. He is trying, badly, to avoid being confined alongside the cells of men and women in Maghaberry which he claims to so revere. Such is the paradox of principle therein. Unfortunately for him and for us, Mr. Fennell seems prepared to fight to the last drop of other people’s blood and it’s completely and utterly contemptible.

So where now for the nay-sayer camp that make up GARC? Well, in my last article I compared him to Colonel Custer and there has perhaps never been a more fitting comparison to date for him. He took the gamble, a calculated ‘’Battle of Little Big Horn’’ risk, that by organising that protest something ‘’big’’ would happen which could be spun around to suit GARC’s agenda and portray him as an admirable community leader opposing Orange intransigence. When he didn’t get this, he and the hooligans surrounding him, decided to snatch the limelight by engaging in by far the most ugly confrontation we have seen in the North for years, making Donald Trump seem like a timely old gentleman. But, contrary to his meditations, that has failed in the vital court of public opinion, which no solicitors’ rhetoric can manipulate for the former ‘’youth/community worker’’. After toasting it over vodka shots in the Shamrock Club afterwards, beyond any reasonable doubt he is now so disgraced that there are those therein distancing themselves from GARC and there are those, who previously would have been partially receptive at election time, who will slam the doors right in his face should he try his luck again. But for those that didn’t see through it all when he willingly accepted his gagging order from a British court (which by inference, he fully recognised), now that the mask has totally slipped they see the true nature of his politics – grudge, bitterness and vain opportunism. A state of horrid hostility which must be shunned.

If GARC and the other splinter cells should again grace your doorsteps in a desperate bid to rally support, ask them or yourself just a few short questions;

1. Do these people have the long-term social, economic and political interests of Ardoyne at heart?
2. Can these people work with other representatives and groups across the political spectrum to achieve the best possible deal and resources for Ardoyne, notwithstanding the parading issue?
3. Do these people lead by example in exerting a long-term plan for the betterment of this area?
4. Is their conduct the sort of behaviour which inspires and motivates people in a constructive way?
5. And lastly, can these individuals be trusted with my children’s future and best-interests?

Just a week after it happened, I woke up and snatched the Sunday Papers for a looksee. When some of the writings about it drew the same sort of sentiments and words as my own articles on it, I retired to the shower and sang a Sinatra, for the columnists opined ‘’Fennell’s Gamble Fails!’’. Currently out on bail and having failed to have his prosecution nullified, let’s see how his bully-boy good manners play out on trial and whether the ambiguity surrounding the terms & conditions of his release will be duly quashed.