JOHN MOLYNEUX 1948-2022

It is with great sadness and sorrow that we learned of the sudden passing of John.

In 2018 we were on strike to defend our Defined Benefit Pension Scheme. For most of us it was the first time ever on strike and each day of our dispute John attended lending his support and solidarity to us.

His kindness, empathy and friendship at that critical time in our struggle will never be forgotten by our Branch.

John was later to attend and speak at our socials and workshops and talk about the need for fighting unions to represent ordinary worker’s interests. We were always honored to have John attend.

Memet is the Vice Chair of our Branch and we all recognised the special friendship that Memet and John shared. They were strategists, campaigners and activists and indeed one of the last rallies they attended was the Unite Against Racism Rally at the Spire to Welcome Refugees and to stand tall against the Far Right.

Inspired by the activism of John and Memet many of us fully supported the views they espoused whether it was in relation to Direct Provision, Anti-Racism, Anti War, Imperialism, Repeal, Left Wing Politics, Eco Socialism, LGBT and Trade Unionism.

We also witnessed first-hand the great esteem in which John was held in PBP and Marxists and internationally. We came to know John as a prolific writer and lecturer but what was ever more powerful was John’s enthusiasm to bring his message to ordinary working people whether that was holding open air talks on Marx during the lockdown or producing a fantastic series of videos to help explain topics.

We invariably met with John on campaigns and protests outside embassies, in working class areas like Crumlin/Drimnagh, the Dail,The Garden of Rembrance, the GPO, The Spire handing out leaflets for the cause and promoting the IMR.

John joined Unite Trade Union and attended the Unite Dublin Area Activists meetings and supported the ordinary grassroots members of the union. John’s extensive range of international contacts and knowledge of the political nuances around the world were second to none and he helped us organise speakers from different countries to help highlight their situation.

John lit a flame in us and opened our minds and inspired us.

John Molyneux had a great human empathy.