Dermot Ryan
THE brother of RIRA godfather Alan Ryan has called on republicans to boycott RTE because he is not amused by the Rubberbandits’ satirical Guide to 1916.
Last week Rubberbandits star Blindboy Boatclub won a new set of fans thanks to his powerful performance on The Late Late Show.
The Limerick man made a serious impact when he appeared on the show as part of a panel to discuss the 1916 commemorations this year.
Airing his views on the 1916 celebrations, after his documentary The Rubberbandits Guide To 1916 aired on New Year’s, the comedian spoke about how his “generation” felt about 1916.
“My generation can’t afford to buy a house, can’t afford to have a baby,” he declared.
He also spoke about how it was only after school that history can really be appreciated.
However, one man who is not a fan of the Rubberbandits, the dissident Republican Dermot Ryan, called for a boycott of RTE because he was offended by their Guide to 1916.
Describing the Limerick comedy due as the “Bird Brain Rubber Bandits”, Dermot, the brother of slain Real IRA chief Alan Ryan, accused them of disrespecting the men who died during the Easter Rising.
Writing on his Facebook page, Dermot said: “We are paying TV licence to watch this c**p the bird brain Rubber Bandits that are happy to make a mockery of 1916.
“There was nothing funny or romantic about 1916. This crap been aired on our TV screens is a disgrace. Boycott RTE.”
Dermot joined other noted dissidents who staged an occupation of a number of buildings on Moore Street in Dublin city centre during a protest that was also attended by Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams and the party’s Vice President Mary Lou McDonald.
Several protesters occupied a number of buildings on the street, claiming that work underway at the site would threaten locations where the 1916 rebels had their last headquarters in the Rising.
In 2015 the State purchased the site at No.14 to 17 Moore Street from Nama following a proposal by Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Heather Humphreys.
However, the Save the 16 Moore Street group want guarantees that No. 18 and 19 would not be demolished. They also want to know what the plans are for No.13.
Builders were forced to down tools when protesters managed to occupy the buildings.
The crowd was addressed by TD Richard Boyd Barrett and trade unionist Brendan Ogle.