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Date Posted: Sat, May 03 2008, 12:58:33 PDT
Author: From IPSC Board
Subject: Arms Trial Drama-Derry Bound?

Arms Trial play-Derry Bound?
Posted on May 2, 2008 at 08:48:19 AM by CKJCampaign

PROPOSED Press Release

Arms Trial play-Derry Bound?

The Captain Kelly Justice Campaign, which has its central office in Derry, yesterday expressed its pleasure that a drama, relating to the Arms Trial of 1970 will be performed in Ballymun, Dublin at the end of May. Derry campaigners have established contact with the programme manager of the Axis Theatre in our capital city with a view to proposing that the drama be performed in Derry, at a later date.

The Capt. Kelly Justice Campaign manager, historian Fionnbarra O’Dochartaigh, e-mailed Niamh Ni Chonchubhair at the Axis, welcoming the fact that the play, entitled, “Our National Games” is to be performed. The lead role of Captain Kelly will be played by an experienced actor, Eamonn Hunt.

Mr. O’Dochartaigh commented: “While they may be many who are aware of the background to the Arms Trial and the lamentable fate of Capt. James Kelly, at the hands of the Dublin administration then led by Jack Lynch, others may wish to learn more from our dedicated website, www.captainkelly.org I am sure that there will be several people within the arts community in Derry and the North-West who may be able to assist in terms of advice on potential venues and other factors associated with attracting this historical drama to the city. If so, we cordially invite any interested parties to make contact via rights.civil@googlemail.com or ring 71-286359, any evening.



More

axis, Ballymun presents
Our National Games
by Gerard Humphreys
Directed by Ray Yeates
****************************************************************************************
How many of us, if asked to choose between our careers and participating in an injustice, would resign our positions rather than choose to survive?
Our National Games is a play of betrayal, betrayal of ideals, aspirations and people.
Every Irish generation faced its own challenges, and how we responded to those challenges shaped us as a nation. This striking new play brings to life the events surrounding one of the most high profile and dramatic events in Irish history – The Arms Crisis.
Director of Our National Games, Ray Yeates commented: “This project interested me because it is a radical criticism of Ireland historically and, by implication, to the present day. It questions our courage and finds us wanting”
In 1969 police attacks on civil rights activists in the North of Ireland caused major disturbances that threatened to engulf the Republic. Irish Army officer, Captain James Kelly, was catapulted into the limelight in 1970 when charged with illegally importing arms to Ireland for use in the defence of working class nationalist areas in the North. The event led to what became known as The Arms Crisis.
Our National Games explores the concept of political and military leadership, loyalty to past principles and the survival of the State as the key players, Minister Charles Haughey and Captain James Kelly, were put on trial.
Did this failure of decisive leadership partly shaped the history of the 30 years which followed, condemning another generation of young Irish people to violence and emigration?
Nearly 40 years on, we revisit the allegations behind the Arms Crisis, witnessing the power of the State and the price paid by those who would not yield to it.
****************************************************************************************
A debate with guest speakers will be held after each performance from June 4th – 7th

About the Author:
Educated at Colaiste Mhuire in Dublin, Gerard Humphreys first came in contact with theatre through school plays under Tomás Mac Anna. He pursued his interest in drama with An Taibhdhearc in Galway and the Little Theatre in Athlone.
His first play “Éiric” was directed by Darach Mac Con Iomaire in An Taibhdhearc in Galway in 2000. “ Geasa” his second and award winning play was directed by Ray Yeates and staged in axis in 2004. “Not in my Name” dealing with war in Iraq was staged in the Ireland Institute in 2007.

A graduate of the Military College, Gerard’ served at UNIFIL Headquarters in Lebanon in 1984/5 and with an infantry Battalion in Lebanon in 1989. His first book about a tour of duty with the United Nations “Clocha Ceangailte” was published in 1994 and won an Oireachtas prize. He currently practises as a barrister.
Cast and Crew
Captain Kelly Eamonn Hunt
Sargeant Krinnion Michael Judd
Major Dully Brendan Laird
Captain Daly Simon Keogh
Orla Kelly Céire O’ Donoghue
Author Gerard Humphreys
Director Ray Yeates
Set Design Robert Ballagh
Lighting Design Conleth White
Costume Design Marie Tierney
Sound Design Mark O’ Brien
axis booking
For booking or information call (01) 883 2100 or email info@axis-ballymun.ie Box Office is open weekdays from 9am – 5pm and for 90 minutes before events.
Dates 26th May – 7th June @ 8.00pm
Performances take place at axis from Monday 26th May to Thursday 29th May and from Wednesday 4th June to Saturday 7th June.
Performance takes place at The Market Place Theatre Armagh on Saturday 31st May.
Venues:
axis, Main Street, Ballymun, Dublin 9
Booking (01) 883 2100
Tickets €15/12
The Market Place Theatre Armagh
Booking +44 (0) 28 3752 1821
Tickets £12/10
For more press information please contact Kate Bowe / David McCadden / Niamh Queeney in Kate Bowe PR on 01-6713672 or kate@katebowepr.ie / david@katebowepr.ie / niamh.queeney@katebowepr.ie
Background Information

The Civil Rights Movement had an enormous impact on the politics of Ireland. By August 1969 the situation was spiralling out of control with the security forces openly attacking Civil Rights marchers. The Dublin Government felt that a moment of destiny had arrived and the Taoiseach Jack Lynch delivered the famous speech to the Nation that “The Irish Government can no longer stand by and see innocent people injured and perhaps worse. It is obvious that the RUC is no longer accepted as an impartial police force…”
From the first burnings in Belfast, the priority in Dublin was to ensure that if confrontation was inevitable, the government would have some control of the situation at all costs preventing the contagion spreading to the Republic. To quote Justin O’Brien “if that meant supplying arms and expertise, then Military Intelligence was quite prepared to do so”.
On 6th February 1970 a Directive – which would later be denied - was issued to the Army to prepare for invasion and to provide weapons if appropriate. With events spiralling out of control in the North, a coup was raging in Dublin. The Government under Jack Lynch had set up a powerful sub-committee headed by the Minister for Finance Charles Haughey to deal with the crisis in the North. Haughey adopted a strategic approach in seeking to change the dynamics of the equation in the North – Britain’s strategic concerns in the Cold War would be addressed in return for a change in the North.
It was seen in Dublin as the opportunity to transcend the failed politics of partition by changing the dynamics of the situation. Offering guns for protection, if necessary, was central to changing the equation.
Captain Kelly an officer with Military Intelligence in Dublin was centrally involved in the threat analysis and identification of and liaison with friendly forces in the North. The National Archives and the Department of Justice have lost key files making definitive judgments about a defining moment in our history almost impossible and raises the question of a coverup.
This play explores the dilemma of Captain Kelly and the concept of honour, betrayal and broken promises.

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