‘97 election a ‘pivotal’ moment - former SF TD

Former Cavan Monaghan TD, Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, says the importance of the decision by Cavan-Monaghan voters to elect him to Dáil Éireann in the summer of 1997, less than a year before Good Friday Agreement (GFA) “cannot be overstated”.

The result from Cootehill count centre shocked many, not least because Mr Ó Caoláin, lofted high on the shoulders of Gerry Adams and the late Martin McGuinness, pledged to take his seat in Leinster House - something previous successful Sinn Féin candidates had refused to do.

The Peace Process was widely recognised as edging towards its most crucial stage. In July Taoiseach Bertie Ahern met Prime Minister Tony Blair for the first time, and October saw substantial all-party talks begin at Stormont Castle. That summer saw widespread riots in Nationalist areas coinciding with Orange Order parades down Garvaghy Road. But the Provisional Irish Republican Army had instituted a second ceasefire. All the while tensions built, and come November, hardline IRA members met at a secluded farmhouse in Oldcastle to form new dissident force.

Mr Ó Caoláin was the sole Sinn Féin TD, splitting his duties and time between Dublin and his dual mandate role on Monaghan County Council. The former bank manager was a key regional and national leader, and also travelled as part of the negotiating team to Belfast and London. They were, he reflects, “heady times”.

“In the unfolding events of 25 years ago and before, on June 6, 1997, and if I remember, against the backdrop of resumed IRA actions, the people of Cavan and Monaghan entrusted their first preference vote to Sinn Féin. It was pivotal,” he says of the 1997 election.

Looking back he explains that often “the most difficult talks of all” were within Sinn Féin itself and its support base.

The negotiations were “broad and complex unquestionably”, but with each meeting there grew a feeling that a “breakthrough” on what once seemed impossible, was now within reach.

Decommissioning

“These were not easy times. There were important steps decided on by others, referring especially to the decision of the IRA on July 21, 1997, and their cessation of armed action. That was critical and it contributed hugely to the momentum already building. It was quickly followed by the establishment of the International Decommissioning Body in August, and Sinn Féin then signed up to the [Sen George] Mitchell Principles. Immediately, following that, we entered the all party talks. Importantly, the Ulster Unionists also joined those negotiations. Notably, the DUP stayed away, something they’re still doing today, all too sadly.”

Mr Ó Caoláin says it’s important to remember that it was “not a settlement”.

He himself played a key role in successfully bringing Republicans together, outlining to them the common path being set out, and turning the tide in favour of this strategy for peace, democracy and Irish unity.

The broadcasting ban on Sinn Féin in the 26 counties, lifted only since 1993, assisted greatly in getting that message across.

Even still, the months leading up were “intense and difficult”.

“This was not an easy journey by any stretch of the imagination. Many were strong advocates of retaining Articles 2 and 3 of the constitution. So Republicans were challenged. Apart from that we lost friends and comrades we’d known for years, decades in some cases. [Acceptance] didn’t mean those who stayed on board embraced the new proposed future. There were those of us, of course, stretched. I doubt any of us could put our hand up and honestly say we weren’t. It took time for the workings of it all to present before people could settle their heads about these very new and changed set of circumstances.”

Ultimately, an agreement was reached, and Mr Ó Caoláin was there to witness that momentous occasion.

“The lead up had been significant, with the commencement of all party talks. Sinn Féin had for years before the GFA and processes leading to it, actively presented proposals to set in train pathways to lasting peace. Certainly we were working hard, and at our Ard Fheis (April 18/ May 10). We had difficulties with those we could not convince. But it’s important to stress, they were a very small minority.”

The GFA was subsequently approved by voters across the island of Ireland in two referendums, May 22, 1998.

Mr Ó Caoláin believes that a “real settlement” will one day be reached once “majorities north and south embrace a new beginning in a united Ireland of equals. That’s the prospect the GFA offers. But it has to be achieved by consent.”

Though retired almost three years now from political life, Mr Ó Caoláin says he continues to endeavour “every day I draw breath as an Irish Republican activist to contribute to the forward movement of all those leading us on that journey.”