Lasair Dhearg

Last updated
Lasair Dhearg
General SecretaryÉamonn Ó Cleirigh [1]
Founded2018
Ideology Anti-Imperialism
Anti-Capitalism
Republicanism
United Ireland
Socialism
Political position Left-wing to far-left
SloganTime for a Socialist Republic!
Website
lasairdhearg.com

Lasair Dhearg (English: Red Flame) is a left-wing to far-left, republican organization based in Belfast.

Contents

Lasair Dhearg is mainly based in Northern Ireland but has activists and members in many Irish Counties including; Cork, Donegal, Kilkenny, Louth and Meath.

Ideology

Lasair Dhearg describes itself as an republican-socialist organization striving to create a socialist republic on the island of Ireland. The group campaigns for "the establishment of a 32 County democratic socialist republic built upon the principles of the Proclamation of the Irish Republic of 1916" through armed force. [2] [3] They oppose what they call "Occupied Ireland" [4]

The group is against the Good Friday Agreement and views Sinn Féin as too lenient. [5]

The group supports a living wage, universal healthcare, the promotion of the Irish Language and the establishment of a "Socialist Republic of Ireland". [6]

Activity

The group was founded in late 2017/early 2018 in Belfast but did not allow outside members to join until 2020. [7]

In 2022, letters were sent to principals of schools in Northern Ireland claiming that the PSNI (Police Service of Northern Ireland) was using children and schools and describing them as "armed gunmen" and they “drag society backwards”. [8] [9]

In 2024, the organization held its first ardfheis in 2024 in Belfast. [1] [10]

In November 2024, a sign on the border of Derry and Donegal was altered to say "Welcome to Occupied Ireland." instead of "Welcome to Northern Ireland." [11] [12]

On the 7 October 2025, a poster was unfurled outside the Royal Belfast Academical Institution depicting a man with an assault rifle commemorating the October 7 attacks. The poster displayed the words “Palestine has a right to resist.” [13]

On 27 February 2025, the group claimed responsibility for a pouring red paint over a statue of Queen Victoria in the grounds of the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast. [14] [15]

See Also

References

  1. 1 2 "Lasair Dhearg Ard Fheis 2024". republican-news.org.
  2. "Our Manifesto".
  3. "IN PICTURES: Lasair Dhearg "Immigration, Capitalism & Imperialism in Ireland" policy launch". www.derrynow.com. February 28, 2025.
  4. "It's Time for a Socialist Republic".
  5. Scott, Pádraig (November 9, 2025). "Standing with the Enemy - Sinn Féin's Latest Betrayal".
  6. "'Zero justification for targeting a healthcare facility' - Anger as republican group attacks hospital statue of Queen Victoria". Belfast News Letter. 2026-02-27. Retrieved 2026-02-27.
  7. "About".
  8. https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/politics/dissident-republican-group-lasair-dhearg-slammed-for-intimid
  9. Ainsworth, Paul (September 29, 2022). "Republican group demands schools 'protect' children from PSNI visits in letter to principals". The Irish News.
  10. Scott, Pádraig (October 31, 2024). "Full Report: Lasair Dhearg Ard Fheis 2024".
  11. "'Welcome to Occupied Ireland' sign appears overnight at border between Northern Ireland and Republic". November 14, 2024 via www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk.
  12. "Derry-Donegal road sign altered". November 14, 2024.
  13. "Dissident republican group unveils banner of masked Palestinian gunman on anniversary of Hamas October 7 bloodbath". Belfast News Letter. October 8, 2025.
  14. "Queen Victoria statue in Belfast hospital grounds targeted in paint attack". Sky News. Retrieved 2026-02-27.
  15. "Queen Victoria statue 'vandalised by activist group' in paint attack". The Independent. 2026-02-27. Retrieved 2026-02-27.