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I believe I briefly met O'Riordan at the Connolly Bookshop in Dublin in the late 90's, having no idea who he was, but noting his International Brigade pin. I'm as grateful for his sacrifice and bravery (both in Spain and at home) as I am troubled by his support for Stalinism and the suppression of my cdes in the Barcelona risings, which he defended.

A human being, after all, but still an inspiration.

TM
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Homage to an Anti-fascist : Michael O Riordan RIP indymedia ireland

Condolences and criticsm of his support for Stalinism

cpi obit

Sp Ireland on the International Brigade and Irish Fascism

The Connolly Column.

Spanish civil war veteran dies aged 88 RTÉ

18 May 2006 12:49

The Spanish Civil War veteran and chairman of the Communist Party of Ireland, Michael O'Riordan, has died in Dublin at the age of 88.

He was one of only two remaining Irishmen who fought against General Franco's fascist forces and was shot and injured in Spain.

On returning to Ireland, Mr O'Riordan was interned by Eamonn de Valera's government during the 1940s.

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Sinn Féin

Gerry Adams expresses condolences to family and friends of Micheal O'Riordan

Published: 18 May, 2006 Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP has expressed his deep condolences to the family and friends of Micheal O’Riordan who died this morning. Mr. Adams said Michael was an inspiration to all those who knew him and will be sadly missed.

Mr. Adams said:

“Born in the West Cork Gaeltacht, Michael O’Riordan was politically active his entire life and an inspiration to all those who knew him. He was an active republican, internationalist and communist and a committed Gaelgeoir. A member of the IRA in his youth, he was interned in the Curragh Internment Camp in the 1940s. But he will be remembered best by many for joining the International Bridage and risking his life in the fight against facism in Spain. He lost close comrades there and worked diligently to ensure that the story of their struggle is widely known today and their memory cherished. As a leader of the Communist Party of Ireland he continued to fight against injustice and for social change until very late in his life.

“On behalf of Sinn Féin, I want to extend condolences to Michael’s family and friends. I measc laochra na nGael go raibh sé.”ENDS

Ruan O'Donnell and John Corcoran review The Connolly Column, The story of the Irishmen who fought for the Spanish Republic, 1936-1939 by Michael O'Riordan, Warren and Pell Publishing, ISBN 0 9548904 2 6,30 euro, £19.99 hbk, 22.50 euro, £14.99 pbk Communist leader O’Riordan dies

Friday, May 19, 2006 :

Communist leader O’Riordan dies

Aged 88, Mr O’Riordan was one of only two remaining Irishmen who fought against General Franco’s fascist forces during the Spanish Civil War.

In a statement yesterday, Mr Ahern expressed regret at the death of Mr O’Riordan, saying he had conveyed his good wishes to the survivors of the International Brigades when they held their AGM last year.

Mr Ahern described Mr O’Riordan as a “fearless fighter for the labour movement throughout his life” and paid tribute to “one of those who were willing to make an enormous sacrifice in the fight for democracy in Spain in the 1930s”.

Communist Party of Ireland general secretary Eugene McCartan said Mr O’Riordan personified “the best anti-imperialist traditions of the Irish people. The Communist Party of Ireland is saddened by his passing, but we are also proud of the huge contribution he made to our party, to the Irish working class and to the cause of socialism and of his legacy of unselfish sacrifice in the cause of the Irish and international working class,” he said.

Former Labour leader Ruairi Quinn said Mr O’Riordan “stood out against the tide of Irish conservatism and clerical domination that kept Ireland backward and isolated in the 1930s, 40s and 50s”.

Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams said: “Michael O’Riordan was politically active his entire life and an inspiration to all those who knew him. He was an active republican, internationalist and communist and a committed Gaelgeoir.”

Irish Congress of Trade Unions general secretary David Begg also paid tribute. “Michael was someone who selflessly dedicated himself to improving the lot of working people,” he said.

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