Career
From 1958 to 1960, he edited the party newspaper, the United Irishman, and then became the party"s Director of Publicity. During the 1960s, he worked with Roy Johnston to develop the Éire Nua policy. He became the first editor of the party"s new newspaper, An Phoblacht, holding the post for two years, and also continued in his role as Director of Publicity.
In 1972, he was arrested while in the Republic of Ireland, and charged with membership of the Irish Republican Army.
He immediately launched a hunger strike, and was soon released due to a lack of evidence. Ruairí"s suspicions led to the package being detonated by the Irish Army.
Seán stood down as Director of Publicity in 1979, following a dispute with Danny Morrison over the content of the merged An Phoblacht and Republican News, and from the party"s Officer Board the following year.