Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Derek Nolan gave the opening address at the Labour annual conference earlier this year. Laura Hutton / Photocall Ireland

Galway TD dismayed by anti-war protests outside his parents' home

Derek Nolan said he had informed the Galway Alliance Against War that he no longer resided at the Riverside Estate in Galway.

LABOUR TD DEREK Nolan has expressed his dismay after a group of protesters held a demonstration outside his parents’ home in Galway city today.

The Galway Alliance Against War (GAAW) decided to stage the protest outside the family property this afternoon after the deputy informed them that he no longer resided there.

Speaking to TheJournal.ie, Nolan said that he had called the anti-war alliance yesterday after he heard of their plans to protest at his parents’ Riverside home.

“I told them that I don’t live there anymore and gave them my current address if they wanted to hold the demonstration there. I asked for them to leave my parents out of it,” he said.

However, about 25 protesters turned up at the house just after 1pm today. They held a twenty minute demonstration before moving on to the home of another TD.

“We left the house,” said Nolan, who explained that he was not going to engage with the group any further today.

Spokesperson for GAAW Niall Farrell told TheJournal.ie that the protest was held at Nolan’s parents’ home and not his usual place of residence because it is the address he is registered at.

“He knew we were coming,” he added.

The anti-war group wanted to highlight complaints it has about a recent Garda raid at Farrell’s home which saw a number of computers and DVDs confiscated.

It is understood the raid was in relation to an ongoing investigation into damage caused to an aircraft in Shannon late last year.

Farrell claims he is a victim of State harassment and political intimidation because of his anti-war stance. He believes that various protesters, including the Occupy movement, have been criminalised. He has called on his local TDs to raise that matter in the Dáil. He also wants promises that personal information stored on confiscated computers will be safeguarded.

Farrell intends to make a complaint to the Garda Ombudsman over the recent raid at his home.

The Galway Alliance Against War was established in opposition to the War on Terror.

Nolan said that the protesters were entitled to demonstrate outside his home but insisted his family should not have been involved. Earlier today he tweeted:

Sinn Féin TD Jonathan O’Brien agreed:

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
46 Comments
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
    JournalTv
    News in 60 seconds