A look at the Jim Kemmy led Democratic Socialist Party that lasted from 1982 to 1990 before they merged with The Labour Party. It was the first Party here to back Abortion in certain circumstances , were anti Nationalist and very much in favour of the separation of Church and State.
1982 Leaflet from The Anti Amendment Campaign May 7, 2018
From the run up to the 1983 Abortion Referendum a leaflet from the The Anti Amendment Campaign outlining their reasons for opposing the holding of a Referendum. It has the founding statement of the Campaign as well as a list of public figures and groups that backed the campaign.
Many thanks to the sender.
‘Kemmy For Ward 3’ – Jim Kemmy Democratic Socialist Party 1985 Local Elections November 21, 2011
From the 1985 Local Elections, the cover of an election edition of the Democratic Socialist Party paper ‘The Free Press’ which announces that Jim Kemmy will be standing in Ward 3.
Kemmy was duly elected on the first count , topping the poll. (Old Limerick Local Election results here)
Many thanks to the sender.
From 1993 Labour ‘Working For You In Government’ leaflet June 23, 2010
From 1993 Labour ‘Working For You In Government’ leaflet. In a coalition government with Fianna Fail, Labour was ‘Putting its Programme for Change into Action’.
The leaflet details what had been done such as the introduction of the May Day holiday. The Childrens allowance was £20.
House building in 1993 was up to 3,700 from 2,800 in 1992.
The restriction on RTEs advertising Revenue had been lifted and lots more.
Aside from Dick Springs message on the front of the leaflet we also have a message from Jim Kemmy on the back with a form to fill out.
John De Courcy Ireland -Democratic Socialist Party- Dublin- 1984 European Elections January 14, 2010
This is from the 1984 Euro Elections. De Courcy Ireland, aside from his political interests was heavily involved in the foundation of the Maritime Museum in Dun Laoghaire. The profile below shows the calibre. He had been Jim Larkins election agent and aside from the DSP, had spells affiliated or involved with the Northern Ireland Labour Party, the Irish Labour Party, the Communist Party of Ireland, the Workers Party, Democratic Left and the Socialist Workers Party. (Party details from Wikipedia)
He was a founding member of Irish CND and also involved with The Irish Anti-Apartheid Movement.
He passed away in 2006.
(This leaflet was previously part of another post)
Kildare Labour News- December 1989- Stagg, Howlin ,Kemmy October 2, 2009
This is an interesting little pamphlet where we have a Labour party ‘a socialist alternative’. Very much of its time in both the articles on the falling of Communism, The National Question, our Health Service, Women at Work and also the ads.
It also features some of the late Jim Kemmys poetry.
Click on the images if you have difficulty seeing the whole page.
John De Courcy Ireland -Democratic Socialist Party- Dun Laoghaire November 1982 September 9, 2009
From the November 1982 General Election, a Flyer for John De Courcy Ireland running for the Democratic Socialist Party in Dun Laoghaire. Despite the calibre of the candidate he polled 1,036 votes.
The Democratic Socialist Party were founded by Limerickman Jim Kemmy who had been elected to the Dail initially as an independent. They lasted until 1990 when they joined up with Labour. Labour TD Jan O’Sullivan and Councillors Michael Conaghan, Eamonn Maloney are former DSP members.
Irish Election Literature 
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