Looking back, it was a life well spent, says Gerry Adams

Gerry Adams has been at the spear point of the movement for a free and united Ireland for much of his life. But Irish history is awash in stories of those who seek to right injustices ingrained into society for generations.  Change is not accomplished without push-back. For those that are called upon to sacrifice for a greater good, much sacrifice is required. Sometimes you make choices in the heat of the moment or as conditions dictate in order to further your goal, those choices can bring unforeseen consequences. Sometimes your motto is, the enemy of my enemy, is my friend.

Regarded as a freedom fighter by millions around the world for the great changes he has brought to Ireland, this recognition has not come without high cost to himself and those around him.  Today Gerry suffers from pain caused by bullet wounds and the health effects from imprisonment in harsh conditions.

The imprisonment was not only designed to keep him away from a struggle he fervently believed in, but also designed to break his spirit.  Gerry's struggle also resulted in the loss of friends and family and created bitter enemies along the way.


In this fourth and last part of my interview with Gerry Adams, we discuss choices made during his lifetime and his belief in the vast power of the Irish people to see the peace process through.

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Read 1st parts of interview here:

From soldier to statesman Gerry Adams made his mark


US civil rights movement inspired Gerry Adams

Gerry Adams say British have illegal, immoral and illegitimate claim to part of Ireland

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I asked Gerry about the tumultuous past of his life.  Looking back in retrospect, would he have chosen a different route?

"First of all Ed" I do not look upon myself as a historic or pivotal figure, I look at myself as a small part of a much bigger whole, no way unique."  Gerry went on to say: "We're blessed with a huge team of people, some of us have come through a lot of hard experiences together and that has forged a continuity and history, through the good as well as the bad"

Gerry then said: "I can't see me doing a lot of other things, if I had the chance, but I didn't....I have no regrets"

"There may be individual issues and matters and events, that I may have regrets about-just in terms" But summed it up with: "But it is a life well spent"

Gerry continued: "When you are able to bring about the type of seismic changes which my generation have been involved and hopefully a lot will be continued in the upcoming period, then much will be accomplished peacefully" 

Through his life's prism, Gerry was able to share his feelings on how peaceful change can be brought about:  "I have huge confidence in people" he said. " But through all of this I have learned we have to listen a lot, we have to talk a lot and be very proactive in listening to those who oppose our views."  "We must be able to peacefully persuade them to the vast possibilities for them in the future."

A chara

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Gerry Adams says British still have illegal, immoral and illegitimate claim to part of Ireland

One thing you can say about Gerry Adams, is that he has an unshakable and fierce determination to see the peace process through to create a new and united Irish Republic. There is nothing he is not well informed about when it comes to the Good Friday Agreement and the infrastructure built around it.  He speaks with surety and a certain steel tone when he voices his view for the future of Ireland and doesn't mince words when he expresses his feelings regarding the fairness of what unification will bring to the people of Ireland

In this the third segment of my interview with Gerry Adams we talk about the future of Ireland's reunification and how his political party,  Sinn Fein, meaning "we ourselves," is gaining more popularity.

Sinn Fein is gaining greater power in Ireland, polls show it is the 2nd most popular political party at this time. I asked Gerry what his opinion of that was: "Opinion polls are opinion polls," he stated. "They are only a snapshot in time, the poll that really counts is the one on election day." He went on to say: "We (Sinn Fein) see our way as a better path for the people of Ireland, particularly our ideas to help the economy which is flat at this time."

Gerry said: "We see the current government, as not much different from what they replaced, same basic economic policies which are hurting the middle and lower classes disproportionately."  You can't cut your way out of a recession, you must grow your way out." "The current government is spending a tiny fraction on job creation and stimulus, yet at the same time paying billions to bondholders of banks....banks whose actions could be described as criminal."

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Read parts 1 & 2 here:

From soldier to statesman, Gerry Adams made his mark


The US civil rights movement inspired Gerry Adams
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He told me: "Sinn Fein has brought forth proposals to reduce the deficit, which don't include the dire consequences to the most vulnerable in our society" Gerry then went on to describe a very evocative scene which occurred a couple of weeks ago at expos for  employment abroad in Dublin and Cork: " Ed, it was sad to see the thousands of mostly young, well educated, trained Irish people, having to leave the country in order to get work.  We have seen this too often in our past-we need them here at home." I told Gerry that's why my family left and came to the States for a better life and to get work.

Then we talked about the future of Ireland and the chances of getting north and south united again.  "Getting rid of partition is a good and patriotic thing to do.  The British still have an illegal, immoral and illegitimate claim to part of Ireland," he said  "I believe we can have Irish Unity in our time."  "We have transcended partition, not entirely, but by the infrastructure of the Good Friday Agreement we are getting closer.  When a majority of the people wish for unity it will happen."

To illuminate some of the great sea change happening in Ireland, he shared that he was "quite taken by a Sinn Fein event last month in Derry".  "A Unionist speaker was invited to attend and in the audience were up to 200 from the unionist movement, it was all very peaceful and respectful"...."Ed, you couldn't have imagined that sort of thing happening 5-10 years ago in the mood and spirit this was conducted.  "The more we do of this the better for all."

But Gerry said "the Diaspora have a huge roll to play in all of this." This island's in transition, the south because of its economic condition and the north because of the peace process, we're looking for a way forward and the Diaspora can help."  "There was never a time when Republican policies are more needed than now."

Gerry said: "The great Patriot Theobald Wolfe Tone believed in the unity of Catholic and Protestant together in the center"  Then Gerry finished with: "We want a new Republic, a new Ireland where people can travel by choice-not forced.  We want rights and entitlements that all free countries have. But we must have unification so we can have our Republic."

I asked Gerry about his past and the tumultuous occurrences and tragedies, if he had the chance would he have made the same choices.  We'll get his answer in the final upcoming segment


The most unique gifts: Time capsules in American and world history: lifemagforsale.com

For other points of view visit Carroll Standard: carrollstandard.com