In a statement on August 23, 2025 a spokesperson for Comhairle Uladh (Ulster Executive), Sinn Féin Poblachtach said: “The Rev Martin Smyth who died on August 23 was a Protestant bigot and agitator, who wanted to keep the jackboot upon the necks of the Catholic/nationalist population living under British occupation.

“The Rev Martin Smyth came to prominence during the rising wave of Protestant militancy which surged across the Occupied Six Counties in the early 1970s. In 1972 the New York Times described it as a powerful movement of 50,000 Protestants/unionists/loyalists who appeared at a Belfast rally and vowed violence, if necessary, to foil any political changes that would loosen unionist control. The Movement described itself as a disciplined force whose aim was to preserve the link with Britain and to prevent any alteration of the British Constitution but maintained it was not a military force, that it was an umbrella organisation to coordinate the activities of the loyalist groups in the Occupied Six Counties.

“Smyth began his political career as a populist, but by the mid-70s had become a traditionalist. He rose to county grand master of the Orange Order in Belfast, and a leader on the Ulster Vanguard central council which was formed in February 1972.

“Smyth preached brimstone and fire on a Sunday and the rest of the week, strategised jackboot diplomacy and violence. He was reported as saying that unionists/loyalists must build up the dossier of the men and women who were a menace in their view to union with Britain, saying ‘It may be our job to liquidate the enemy. Liquidation is good, strong term. If the government doesn’t deal with the situation, we will. I call them rats — must be dealt with. We will not sit idly by. Therefore, we will not watch our way of life end here. Let’s not forget, the seventy Catholics killed between April 1, 1972 and January 31, 1973.’

“In the later part of his life, the Rev Martin Smyth was interviewed on May 31, 1994, at St Joseph’s Secondary School, Navan. He said, ‘I am an Irishman in that I live on the island of Ireland. I am an Ulsterman, my family have lived in the province for several hundred years. I am Scottish in that my religion and cultural background come from those roots.’ He concluded, ‘you will remember of course, that the Scots were originally Irishmen who could swim! I am British by heritage and way of life.’

“Sinn Féin Poblachtach says this man’s legacy or his death will not have any direct impact on the complete overthrow of British rule in Ireland, and the establishment of a Federal Democratic Socialist Republic based on the Proclamation of 1916.

CRÍOCH/ENDS

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