Article in the Anglo-Celt, spring 1999

By Michael O'Toole
Dublin Correspondent.

A group of activists from both sides of the border yesterday formed a new pressure group to give a voice to what it claims is the growing number of unionists in Southern Ireland.

The 109 Group - named after the former headquarters of the Irish Unionist Alliance in Dublin's Grafton Street - claims more and more people in the Republic are becoming unionist minded and has vowed to combat republican's "old separatist orthodoxy".

The group includes Ulster Unionist councillor Dr Chris McGimpsey and David Christopher, a Galway-born student at Trinity College Dublin, who champions the unionist cause.

The new group, which will be formally launched later this month, will campaign for the Republic's re-entry into the Commonwealth and a strong Council of the Isles, part of the Good Friday Agreement.

Mr Christopher said: "This country has been transformed in recent times - we are now a modern, prosperous, vibrant nation."

"There is a new confidence about which has led many to question the old separatist orthodoxy of the past. An increasing number of Irish people, from all walks of life, clearly now see themselves as unionists.""We will work to build on these realities and provide a voice for Ireland's new unionists.

The time is clearly right for a movement like this: for far too long the voice of Ireland's hidden minority has gone unheard. Now, for the first time in 75 years, we are speaking out openly and we know the Irish people will listen to what we have to say."

Mr McGimpsey said: "There is a new confidence in southern unionism, a new interest in the 'alternative tradition' in southern Ireland. It is a basic principle that we wish to consolidate and strengthen the union between Northern Ireland and Great Britain."