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A FINE GAEL meeting in Cork was disrupted by a socialist youth group this evening, leading to some tense exchanges and the temporary suspension of the meeting.
The Connolly Youth Movement livesteamed the protest on Facebook, showing a number of activists reading anti-austerity statements and criticising the government for its record on poverty and homelessness.
Deirdre Clune MEP, who was chairing the meeting, repeatedly asked the protesters to identify themselves and said what they were doing was “not fair”.
“You are denying people who have come here the chance to inform themselves on the subject,” Clune told the protesters.
Other Fine Gael party supporters expressed their disgruntlement, with one shouting “Have you a job? Have you a job?” at the protesters.
The incident began when one of the protesters asked that a minute silence be held “for the two homeless men who died in Cork.”
Clune, who was on stage alongside Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Tánaiste Simon Coveney, allowed to room to go silent before attempting to restore order to the meeting.
“You don’t have the floor, we’re trying to chair a meeting,” she said.
After the initial protester finished their remarks another stood up to speak.
She stated: “Austerity is well for a slim minority and that is how our country is run…. The rich gets richer and everybody loses out. We have had enough.”
While she was speaking, a party supporter sitting beside her attempted to cut her off, saying:
Why don’t you talk outside, wouldn’t you be better doing that? Nobody can hear you at this stage, all you are doing is… Ah it’s all prepared for you, written by somebody else on your behalf?
https://www.facebook.com/ConnollyYouth/videos/2315659255386531/
(Click here if video doesn’t play)
A third protester then began speaking.
“We want a society that looks after its people, no matter who they are,” he said.
We want a society that looks after all its people. We want a break with the European Union and its militarism, we want a break with US militarism and an Ireland that cherishes all the children equally.
During this contribution, Clune then suspended the meeting.
In a post on Facebook, Connolly Youth Movement said it had disrupted the meeting.
“Activists disrupted a meeting by Fine Gael today as a form of protest. Fine Gael are not welcome in Cork and never will be. Disrupt their meetings and question them everywhere and all the time. AGITATE EDUCATE ORGANISE,” the group said.
In a statement after the resumption of the meeting, Fine Gael described the protesters as a “very small group”.
“A Fine Gael public meeting aimed at informing the people of Cork about the upcoming plebiscites on directly elected mayors was briefly interrupted by a very small group of protestors. The public meeting continued once the protestors left, and after Fine Gael members present asked the organisers to ensure it proceeded.”
The tense meeting came at the end of a day in Cork in which Fine Gael’s leadership was also met with protests from farmers.
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A very poignant and emotional moment felt during the #Shineyourlight. Really brought it all home. RTE should follow up and repeat this image every day at 6 O’clock in place of the Angelus at least for the duration of the emergency. Stay safe all cool heads/clean hands.
@Sean Brennan: what a brilliant suggestion!
@Sean Brennan: or they could use images from tonight during the angelus to keep everyone happy. Poignant is the only word for tonight alright. Stay safe
Seriously, not every item has to become a political issue.
This is just a nice simple gesture of hope and solidarity.
Let’s keep it that way. There are plenty of other threads to voice your discontent.
Well done to my country. You have made me proud during these dark days.
@2thFairy: couldn’t agree with you more
@2thFairy: unfortunately it is being promoted/pushed by politicians. when was the last time you heard of a show of gratitude been advertised on the radio.
@2thFairy: The politicians taking part and promoting themselves doing so have made it a political issue. Aside from that, literally everything is politics!
@alphasully: We don’t usually find ourselves in situations such as this to have a history of advertising them! Has it struck you that perhaps these things are being advertised for those who are cocooning alone, have spoken to no one in days or weeks, don’t have social media and otherwise wouldn’t know about them? That they are advertised in order to try and ensure and maintain some sense of community and connectivity? Not everything has to be political or cynical. If you’ve nothing good to say, just say nothing
@alphasully: Unfortunately the Coronavirus Situation is Mostly about the wonders of Good Nature / Deeds by Fine Gael Heads
@2thFairy: yes I couldn’t agree more, lets all stop criticising politicians and pretend we didn’t vote for FFG in the GE and then announce you will next time as they are doing a marvellous job.. NPHET are making all decisions apart from ports as Leo takes his orders from Brussels. Never forget how these people have behaved.
Brilliant idea but im sure nurses would prefer to be paid properly
@Ciaran Goggins: this was for everyone or for whoever you are thinking of at the time. It is a light for hope.
@Ciaran Goggins: I’m sure the dead would prefer to be alive too.
@Ciaran Goggins: Ah go on outta that for Gods sake. Always one begrudger. Citizens showing SOLIDARITY has nothing to with how they’re paid. Nowt good to say? Say nothing so. Good boy.
@Ciaran Goggins: Shut up Ciaran.
@Ciaran Goggins: or even be supplied with adequate ppe
What a heap of misery laden doom mongers on here.
For once could ye not just scroll on and keep the moaning and whinging to yourselves. My whole road is lit up as a mark of respect to the dead, the ill and the frontline workers.
It looks beautiful and is a sign that a lot of people are sparing a thought. Just leave it at that and whinge somewhere else for once in your bloody lives.
@Dara O’Brien: here here!! Well said
@Dara O’Brien: well said lad my estate is also lit up
@Dara O’Brien: Couldn’t agree more. So many people feel lonely and/or at a loss, this gesture of solidarity harms no-one and may very well be of help to many. I can’t understand anyone going to the trouble of commenting negatively on it, but I guess there are always a few sadly
@Dara O’Brien: spot on. It was a symbol of coming together.
Congrats to Leo, Simon and Dr Holohan, they are doing a great job. Good article in the New York Times in how Ireland is handling the crisis
@Brendan O’Donoghue: share the link plz
@Brendan O’Donoghue: I can’t believe people think Ireland is doing well. The death rate per million population is no better than the USA. More action is needed. All arrivals on the island must be quarantined for two weeks. Until that happens, how can thing improve?
@Tanks a Minion: stop it, and don’t be silly. read the facts only 8% of our infections are coming from people travelling.
@Tanks a Minion: sock of this comment. Look at the deaths per million in Andorra and San Marino then have a think for yourself. The US has so far had 1,700 deaths today, increasing their deaths per million by 3. Our 33 increased our by 8. But if you want to go by per million stats then we’ve done 2,000 more tests per million than the US and 5,000 per million more than the US. But that’s not a good indicator for the reasons I’ve already stated.
@James Rowan: it was more of how Leo raised from the ashes more than anything else. https://www.google.ie/amp/s/www.nytimes.com/2020/04/11/world/europe/ireland-leo-varadkar-coronavirus.amp.html
@James Rowan: thnx for reply.im not bashing leo,he is doing what he is told by cmo
@Tanks a Minion: go away you fool
@Brendan O’Donoghue: I see the wheels spinning!
@Tanks a Minion: Eh the US are behind us in terms of the timeline, have a look at that same comparison in 2 to 3 weeks time.
@meh: he’s correct
It’s not your fault your are too stupid to underhand it
Compare australia and their measures and stats vs us , maybe then you’ll understand the incompetence and miss management
@Alan Byrne: ok so , you get it under control how do you maintain that? By quarantine of arrivals
Look at australia understand their measures and stats , and this a country with 500k Chinese s students and torch flights from Wuhan.
Maybe then you will grasp the miss management in ireland
Or maybe you won’t and will continue to believe the same experts that told you on 10/3/2 no need to restrict nursing homes
Or no need to control and quarantine Italian travel in late feb
@Dave O’Keeffe: are you for your real ? You are being San Marino into it of course they have distorted numbers look at any OECD country with a population greater than 500k
I’m sorry but these shows of solidarity appear too forced and not spontaneous. if we mean this then these shows of gratitude should be daily, not at the whims of politicians or persons or authority
@alphasully: Or even more practical – like donations to feedtheheroes.
@alphasully: any day that you want to show gratitude, feel free to do so.
@alphasully: social media egos, half wouldn’t do it if they couldn’t share online.
@Mairead Jenkins: or here https://www.gofundme.com/f/protect-those-who-protect-us?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet
Getting close to the target. The people running it have already done some great work.
@Pat O Brien: I do, personally. I just cant muster the same effort when we have ads on the radio for it. feels forced
@Mairead Jenkins: Another begrudger…And when donations are made it’ll be “It’s only a one off it’s not good enough” moan. TAKE A NIGHT OFF!
@alphasully: stoppit. It was a lovely gesture. Neighbours came out to introduce themselves in some cases, offer help if needed. Not forced, you didn’t have to do anything, you could stay on your sofa and watch TV if that’s your desire. It was heart warming and anything that brings us together in these dark days has to be positive. Somebody has to think of it, put it out there and get us together. How else could it be spontaneous?
Those front line workers are amazing. I hope that the teacher’s and their unions don’t start messing about with the exams.
@Mark Edwards: Seriously? What on earth has this to do with #ShineYourLight ?
@Mark Edwards: that would be ‘teachers’!
@Mark Edwards: Havd a glass of water and go to bed Mark
@Mark Edwards: I remember when I had my first drink too….. bless
Here’s a novel idea pay them what they deserve .. give them tax breaks on over time during this crisis.. lighting candles etc . Are all great but show the support from the top not just lip service and gestures as nice as they are ..
@John kavanagh: true but the ordinary person can’t grant that so it’s nice for people to show support in whatever way they can. If front line staff aren’t treated with more respect by the politicians in this country after this then they never will be. Let’s hope they will be, but at the moment it’s lovely to see every day people showing support in whatever way they can.
@John kavanagh: 46 grand for a top level ICU nurse before tax and how much is a TD whose taken a career break from their teaching job getting???
Why don’t all you negative bucking fastards go and start your own little group and leave everybody else to get on with the job I hand
@neil brown: if only!
Nice idea. But please be careful not to leave the room with it on. All it can take is a breeze and something gets lit.
Sinéad ó Connor needs help not to be publicised on rte. Really poor and borderline offensive choice.
@Rob Duggan: Another doom & gloomer alive and well. Leave your negative toxic nonsense to yourself. It’s about solidarity. End or.
@Rob Duggan: what are you on about her voice and song choice were perfect and moving. Poisonous negative idiots like you we can do without
@Rob Duggan: what was offensive about her or her performance? Genuinely interested.
@Rob Duggan: good man rob i hope your family are safe and well.
@Rob Duggan: good God .. seriously? She was an excellent choice .
@Rob Duggan:
In 2017, Sinead O’Connor changed her name to Magda Davitt
in 2018, she changed it to Shuhada’ Sadaqat
Thank you also to the trade unions who have ensured HSE workers have decent pay and conditions. Time for hospitialty workers to follow the tireless and heroic example of these great people in joining a union.
@Hospitality Workers Fighting Back: using this thread to promote membership for your union is shallow and totally inappropriate.
I wonder how many of the covidiots lit a light in their holiday homes today in solidarity. I’d bet all of them did but they have no insight into how their selfishness is exacerbating the situation.
My small contribution
https://twitter.com/howyadooin/status/1249067478862479366?s=19
Good improvement on the original concept – ‘Clap for Carers’ in the UK. Going for three weeks there now, and is a huge morale booster.
@Ale Ceaser: great, we’ll come on everybody, let’s make this a weekly thing. We still have a long road ahead of us, so let’s keep this going, thanking the frontline staff, and honouring all those who have passed and are still fighting this. And it will give us a focus to make it better and more of an impact every week. #ShineYourLight
@Ale Ceaser: if we hadn’t hollowed out the healthcare system our front lines staff wouldn’t have to be heroes. Just quoting a Dr btw.
I understand that people need hopexin a time when they feel scared.
Our healthcare staff shouldn’t have to be heroes. The hollowed out healthcare system forces them into that role. The learning from this is to look after the workers that really are deserving respect like those keeping us healthy fed and the bins emptied. The melodramatic narrative of those who feel they are born to rule is nauseating in the face of the choices made previously to put them at risk.
Light candles? There was a full blown rave in my estate. Socially distant of course
@thomas patrick: Did Leo’s Black & Tans not pay a visit
Let’s just make sure including our government officials that this continues even after this is all over
Disgusting to see so many Shinners hijacking the comments section with their usual whinging and moaning in an effort to steer the Cult Of Sinn Féin into power. SF disappeared once there was a crisis. Cowards. The political figures put in place by the Army Council have shown themselves up to be unsuited to any position of responsibility and decision making.
Whinge. Moan. Whinge. Moan. Never offer a solution. The SF way.
@Mick Early: Too True Mike
All entry ports should have been on lockdown since day one ,only open for essential transport of goods and services. For all the years the government was in power they had no money to pay the pensioners their rightful pension or run the HSE Now they are encouraging and opening the way for Visitors/ Irish to flock into the country without paying much attention to health checks at point of entry.
have your say