It is with great sadness we report the passing of our founding member John Molyneux. John was a leading force behind United Against Racism and a tireless activist. We have learned so much from John and he will be a great loss to us and our struggle. We honour his life and legacy by continuing to fight against racism. John, we will miss you. Thank you for everything you did. Rest in power!
Shocked and saddened to hear that our comrade and friend John Molyneux has passed away. John made a huge contribution to the socialist movement over many decades, he was relentless in his activism and the writing of Marxist theory. John had a wonderful ability to cut through nonsense and explain complex theoretical ideas in a popular way. I learnt a lot from John over the years, reading his books and listening to him speak. He will be deeply missed by many. Gutted for Mary Smith and John’s family. Thank you, John, for a life that was truly well lived.
I’m struck with an overwhelming sadness by this news.
John was a great teacher of the socialist movement. There’s very few socialists who haven’t benefitted reading, chatting, or debating with him.
An inveterate fighter for socialism , he was consistent in his support and belief in the working class against the manifold tyrannies it faces at home and internationally.
He also saw the beauty in life and was a kind man who made a significant impact on me as a young socialist.
His larger than life presence will be missed and his contributions carried on in the fight for an equal world.
My condolences to Mary Smith and his family and friends.
Rest in power comrade
Ní bheith a leithid ann arís.
Dr. Eóin Ó Murchú
Everyone in People Before Profit will feel shock and sadness at the unexpected death of John Molyneux.
He was a lifelong trade union member though an excluded member of Unite. It was to their detriment.
He was a warm inclusive teacher and comrade and friend. He was one of the strongest ecosocialists, most vigilant anti-racists, and best advocates of constant responsive political action.
He leaves a tremendous legacy for the left in Ireland. He heaped on us numerous valuable tracts, reviews, essays, articles, and books. He built and nurtured the Irish Marxist Review. His commitment to ecosocialism and revolutionary politics were exemplary and not just in publication- he was everywhere there was a demo or a meeting. He was a stalwart of the stalls and happy to meet after any meeting. He did the doors too. Walked the walk and talked the talk.
Handing out leaflets was where I first encountered him. I remember the ‘John The Baptist’ figure he cut when he handed me an ‘Anti-water Charges/Join People Before Profit’ leaflet at Tara Street station in 2014. That’s how I got involved in the organised left in Ireland, his leaflet.
I last saw him at the United Against Racism demonstration on Wednesday night, holding the banner and megaphone- actually it wasn’t the last place… the last was in the pub after that demonstration meeting with his friends and comrades, talking politics, building for the next event. As usual. I was happy to be there with them.
He was above all the most enormous sustainer of the Socialist Workers Network and its very successful project, People Before Profit. He was immensely inclusive and remains a revolutionary.
Through his writing, his direct action, and his political organisation he brought together and built power with and for many people. He left us readier, smarter, sharper, and stronger. Thanks John. RIP
Shocked and heartbroken by the loss of friend and comrade John Molyneux. From the first moment I met him through People Before Profit he always had time to talk, to Challenge my thoughts and ultimately to help develop my politics. The many movements and individuals he helped to grow will forever remember him.
A great hole has been ripped in the socialist movement for his passing but we must continue to organise, educate, and agitite in his honor.
Rest in power comrade.
I am devastated to hear of the death of John Molyneux a friend and comrade. John will be missed at International, National and most importantly for us at a local level for his kindness, support and amazing intellect and activism. Rest in peace John
RIP John Molyneux. Absolutely devastated by the news of his sudden passing. Condolences to Mary, their family and friends. I have no words to express how much I liked, admired, aspired to and looked up to John as a comrade, activist and Marxist. His loss is terrible, but the legacy he is leaving behind is tremendous. Rest in power.
I’m very upset to hear that John Molyneux has died. He was a big influence on my views on politics, art and philosophy. And a campaigner right to the end. Only saw him on Thurs last at a rally in the freezing cold. Even though I’m not in PBP any more he was always friendly when we met. Condolences to Mary and all his friends and comrades.
I’m really at a loss for words after hearing of the passing of my dear friend and comrade John Molyneux There was no one like him and he will be sorely missed. Rest in power
The mist covers the houses
The frost that doesn’t speak
All around the globe
A sense of loss and grief
The meeting halls sit empty
The demos have dispersed
When we heard the dreaded news
It really was the worst
Everybody says the same
We can’t believe you’re gone
Our comrade,
Our fighter,
Our John
Very saddened at the news of the sudden passing of John Molyneux. John loved our struggle, he loved being a revolutionary, he loved sharing his deep knowledge with us all and supporting us all to grow in our politics. He was a giant human, as giant in his commitment to the betterment of all humanity as he was of heart and mind. He died doing what he loved, strolling home after a political meeting.
He adored Mary Smith and it was always touching to see their mutual love and respect. Deepest condolences to Mary, his family, comrades and friends.
It is a huge loss.
The struggle lives on and he through the struggle. Rest in power John Molyneux.
‘An ounce of practice is worth a tonne of theory’. Few others that contribute as much as John Molyneux did to socialist theory manage to embody this the way he did.
I was very sad and shocked to hear yesterday’s awful news.
Over a decade ago now, in the midst of one war or another (not sure which), I remember hearing him in a meeting make a short and sharp point about why no-fly-zones are an aggressive act. Like nearly everyone’s first interaction with John, I learnt something.
He gave me a new perspective on the question at hand – and given that I hadn’t been around the left long at that point there was probably a useful lesson in there that I didn’t know it all!
I’ve thought about that largely run-of-the-mill episode a few times in the years since as I came to realise the critical role of organisations for socialism. An argument about a no-fly zone could easily be taken for granted, but it was actually an example of something rare and valuable: lessons from the past, kept alive and transferred to the struggles of today.
Of course, this is one of the cornerstone reasons why we need organisations. John wrote much and often about ‘the party’, why they’re crucial and all the rest. It’s important, incisive stuff that should be read and re-read.
But a key ingredient for any socialist organisation, one without which the whole project would flounder and one which John might not have admitted to in his books and articles but which he had in absolute abundance: generosity.
As is clear from all that has been written and said today, John *shared* his experience. Patiently, gladly, encouragingly. Agus nach mór an t-ádh a bhí orainn.
Comhbhrón ó chroí le Mary, teaghlach, cairde, comrádaithe.
To me, John Molyneux was first and foremost a teacher. There wasn’t a question he couldn’t answer, and he was so generous with his time in giving guidance. I have never met a more intelligent and thoughtful person.
The breadth of his knowledge was shocking. Art, history, politics: he could speak at length about anything, and I would always come away with having learnt something new and having something to think about.
I’m still in shock at his passing this weekend. My thoughts and condolences are with Mary, his family and everyone who have the privilege of calling him a friend and comrade.
In the relatively short time I knew him, I learnt so much from him. I, and countless others, will continue to learn from him. The impact he has had on my politics, how I see the world and my activism is immeasurable.
We have lost a dear comrade, but we continue his work, all the while wishing we had had more time with him.
JOHN MOLYNEUX 1948 – 2022
We are greatly saddened by the passing of People Before Profit member John Molyneux.
John became a socialist in 1968 and already had a lifetime of campaigning behind him by the time he moved to Ireland in 2010. But far from slowing down when he arrived here, he threw himself into building People Before Profit and the struggle for socialism from below in this country.
He was a fantastic writer who wrote many books and articles on wide-ranging topics, which remain a rich resource for those who are trying to build the struggle today. He was deeply committed not just to write about ideas, but to put them into practice. This was evident in particular in the work he did to build the environmental movement, the anti-racist struggle, and in his tireless building of his own local People Before Profit branch in Drimnagh.
His loss is an enormous one, both for the wider socialist movement and for everyone who knew him as a friend. We extend our deepest sympathies to his partner Mary and to all of his family and friends.
So sad of the loss and passing of John Molyneux. What a lovely modest man who thought me so much about Marxist Theory. He was speaking out about climate change and effects of our capitalist system has on the earth for over a decade and always treated everyone with respect. It was an honour to have know John. My deepest condolences to Mary Smith and Brid Smith. You will be so missed.
I first met John back in 2018 at one of my first PBP national councils in Wynns Hotel.
When the speaking was opened to the floor John stood up and spoke of how we need to be clear on our politics, how our struggles would be won on the streets and that bringing people over to our side of the argument was the most important weapon a socialist had in the fight for a better society, a fairer society.
If I’m honest he was a towering intellectual and one that you could find intimidating but he was a very open kind man and a person I came to respect greatly and to form a great friendship with.
When I was around John I would ask him questions in relation to our politics and especially around the mindset of those people who would be very right wing he would always take time to answer my questions and do so in a very affable way.
I had the pleasure of Johns company on many private social events and you would see another side to John, he would always be smiling and happy and I found we both shared a love of cinema we even took in a directors presentation of Mike Lees Peterloo in the IFI and like that John was one of the few people who got up and asked a probing question about the movie we had just seen and you could see the director knew he was dealing with a man who was very well versed on the subject so no bluffing here.
It was John who advised me to read about the Black panthers and their shared fight for people with disabilities and like that he would ask me about the failings of the state towards people with disabilities in Ireland.
He would always say to me we were doing a great job highlighting this inequality and it was a fight that had been overlooked for too long by socialists as with the rest of society, and he felt people didn’t really know how to engage with PWD but that was changing and he loved to hear Sophia speak he said it made him so happy to hear her calling out racsism and discrimination and he wished more adults could see the world through her eyes.
Just a week ago John rang me and asked would Sophia like to speak at the united against racism rally that was being held near the spire and she was delighted to be asked plus she would have an opportunity to bully me along with another great freind Memet, John laughed as they both slagged me off stating Sophia would be the next PBP TD. John had a copy of his latest piece for me as he had seen some flak I’d gotten on social media once again John was watching out for us.
I want to extend my deepest condolences to Mary and all of Johns family, to his close friends in the party and all of those who called John a friend and comrade, he will be greatly missed and his writings will be mulled over for a long time to come.
Rest In Power. 
I’m so sad to hear the news that my friend and comrade, John Molyneux has died. I only found out this afternoon when a fellow member of Kerry PBP Branch told me when I was on the phone to him.
I first met John when I moved to Portsmouth from Birmingham in England in 1986 to take up studying for a BA degree in history. We were both involved in the Portsmouth Anti-Pol Tax Union and the campaign in support of the mass protests in Tiananmen Square, Peking (Beijing), in 1989.
It was some years later when I bumped into John again when he came to live in Ireland. Most recently I worked closely with John, amongst other members in the Socialist Workers’ Network in preparing and publishing my article on the Civil War in Kerry for the latest issue of the Irish Marxist Review for which John was an extremely dedicated editor. I am extremely grateful to John and indeed all of the IMR team for allowing me the opportunity to get my article on the Civil War published in IMR. My only regret is that I was not in a position to do more.
John was a revolutionary first and foremost who dedicated his life to the emancipation of the working-class and the cause of international socialism.
RIP John and sincere condolences to Mary Smith and and his family and comrades. ‘The power is yours’.
Immensely sad to hear that John Molyneux died suddenly last night in Dublin. Earlier this year, I was part of getting John’s Selected Writings ready for publication and was struck by how much of his writing, spanning 50 years, I had previously read because it was really essential for becoming and remaining a revolutionary socialist in those decades of retreat and defeat for the working class movement. John had an outstanding intellect, vast knowledge and endless patience and empathy in making his points, in a straightforward and compelling way. In his foreword to the book John makes the point that to be a part of a revolutionary organisation over many years is to benefit greatly from the influence of hundreds, perhaps thousands of comrades. John made a huge contribution to that community of militants, to thousands of people across the world, who shared his view that “the self-emancipation of the working class, its revolutionary role as the agent of socialism, is the fundamental principle of Marxism, the starting point on which all else is built”, and his legacy will live on in the struggles that he dedicated his life to and that they will continue to be engaged in. My deepest condolences to his partner Mary, his wider family and to all his friends and comrades in Britain, Ireland and further afield.
The Kerry Branch of People Before Profit was so sad to hear the news that our friend and comrade, John Molyneux has died.
John took a keen interest in the Kerry branch and on one memorable occasion came down here to address a very successful public meeting with representatives from the local Traveller and Islamic communites on the issue of racism. John also contributed to a greater understanding by the branch of the climate emergency. More recently he has suported the branch in its efforts to promote a greater class analysis of the traumatic events of the Irish Civil War in Kerry.
John was a revolutionary first and foremost who dedicated his life to the emancipation of the working-class and the cause of international socialism.
RIP John and sincere condolences to Mary Smith and his family and comrades. ‘The power is yours’.
JOHN MOLYNEUX RIP
It was with great shock and sadness that we heard of the sudden death of our Dublin PBP comrade and friend John Molyneux. Our immediate thoughts are with his partner Mary Smith, his children, grandchildren, his Dublin comrades and friends, as well as his friends and comrades in Britain and across the globe.
John was an energetic and committed revolutionary socialist, a wonderful Marxist writer with a prodigious output and the capacity to make political ideas and theory accessible to all. He was blessed with the ability to be a great listener with the capacity for patient explanation.
His books included, The Future Socialist Society, Arguments for Revolutionary Socialism, Is Human Nature a Barrier to Socialism as well as on Art History, Eco Socialism, Climate Science, Anti Racism and Stalinism etc. John was also editor of the Irish Marxist Review.
Older Waterford and Irish comrades would have first encountered John in the mid to late 70s, in the Institute Bar, where we’d gather for chat and craic, whilst attending the annual mid-summer Marxism Festival at London University.
John moved to Dublin with his partner Mary Smith many years ago and became a popular and well-known Dublin activist and PBP member. John will be sorely missed by all in PBP and by socialists and progressives in Ireland and around the world. Our lasting tribute to John will be to continue to build the struggle for equality and a world without war, famine, environmental destruction, homelessness, racism, sexism and homophobia etc.
Rest In Power John.
I met John Molyneux when I arrived in 2016, in a protest of UAR.
We had many opportunities to march side by side for UAR and PBP, and something remarkable about that big Irish man was his kindness.
John was the solidarity manifested in a person. The left in Ireland lost a soldier ready to fight for people and climate change.
During the pandemic, I contacted him offering to translate his videos into Portuguese. My intention was the Brazilian community in Ireland learnt about him and his ideas. I did my best to do that work, but I realised it was too much. He kindly said: “you are not ready yet. You will be!”
Kieran wrote, “in the last week of his life, he featured in an Irish Independent video challenging the racist arguments that ‘unvetted refugees’ were a threat to the good people of East Wall.” I’m glad I had the chance to tell him my gratitude for all his interest and support to us and the migrants in Ireland.
Rest in power, Comrade!
As Kevin Doyle said, Marx was at heaven’s door to welcome him.
I am sending much love to you, Mary Smith
Coincidentally, I’m currently reading a book that John Molyneux wrote. I bought it at my first PBP branch meeting in 2016. I didn’t know him then and I was surprised to learn he was in the same area some time afterwards. I was expecting him to be an intimidating and distant intellectual but I was very wrong. I got to know him since and he has left a lasting impact on me. He was humble and patient. We discussed Marx and how to tackle him over tea in my house. He never looked down on my ignorance or lack of understanding.
We’ve been on many demos and protests together, but one that stands out for me is the time just the two of us stood outside Inchicore College to hand out leaflets about an upcoming protest. He had a busy day of organising and working but his commitment to the smallest of actions for the greater good was just one example of his selflessness. He would have been there even if I hadn’t.
We would doubtlessly cross paths at every protest. He’d come up for a chat about the turnout and the speakers. Then he’d open his bag and say, “Jimi, have you got one of these yet”. Before I knew it, I’d be down a fiver and I’d have the latest IMR under my arm. I met him after at the end of the housing demo a few weeks ago and poignantly, he didn’t have any copies left. He gave me a pamphlet he had written instead and he had a chat with my little fella. He always had time.
I will miss his gentle presence but his knowledge and understanding of politics will be a loss for socialists everywhere. I haven’t known anyone so committed to human progress as John was and I doubt I will again.
RIP
I am saddened by the loss of my friend and comrade John Molyneux. John was one of the most dedicated socialist activists and intellectuals. He wrote extensively on politics, philosophy, art and culture. And as many have said, he had a talent for explaining complex ideas in a way that was easy to understand.
John came to Sligo a number of times; to launch his book Lenin for Today in Hearts Desire coffee shop. He also spoke at an event remembering John Berger in the Hawk’s Well. It was a wonderful evening, and afterwards John, Mary and Friends went for pints in the snug in Connollys, with chats about art and politics until late. Great memories.
He was the driving force behind the Irish Marxist Review and it was great to work together with him on the design of it over the last couple of years. John has the lead article of the latest edition – which everyone should read. https://irishmarxistreview.net/index…/imr/article/view/472
John was kind, smart and had an unwavering dedication in fighting for a better world. A huge loss to the socialist movement both in Ireland and internationally. A life well-lived.
Condolences to Mary, his family and all his friends.
Go well, John 
A friend John Molyneux has passed away. I remember us having long conversations in one of the iconic pubs in Dublin. He helped me when I was in need.
That case in 2018 about discrimination, when I was mistreated by staff of one of the known pubs in Dublin, which ended with out of court settlement, articles in GCN and Irish Times, and my appearance in Sean O’Rourke show on RTE Radio, all that would have never had happened without help of John. He supported me at the time of that incident, and after the incident. He helped me finding a lawyer, who won our case. Winning that case was a win for LGBT community 
Thank you John! 
I will miss you 
RIP John Molyneux I still can’t get head around news. Can’t imagine the loss for Mary and your family. You were a fountain of knowledge I loved every discussion we had, learned so much from you, you will be so missed. But your heart was bigger that’s why everyone loved you. Will miss discussions, having an analysis hearing your thoughts, I valued it so much. We will continue the fight with you in our hearts and minds. Sleep tight friend xxxx
John Molyneux was one of the first people I met outside of Belfast in People Before Profit. At a meeting at Marxism, he more succinctly than I had ever heard at the time made the argument for internationalist socialism. And he was undoubtedly a guiding political figure for hundreds of activists in the party who joined after me.
His impact as a revolutionary socialist in Ireland cannot be understated – from his contributions to the case for ecosocialism, his anti-racist activism, unwavering Marxist principles, and the endless time he gave to building a socialist party for the masses on this island.
More than anything, John was affable, warm and patient, even with the newest of socialists. His dedication was something to behold and a brilliant example. I was deeply saddened to learn of his passing today. And I am very sorry for Mary, his family and comrades who worked with him day in day out.
We are richer for the contributions of John Molyneux.