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