éirígí Backs Emergency Motion

31/05/2010

éirígí have backed an emergency motion that is to be put to Donegal County Council today [Monday] in response to the Israeli attack on the international aid flotilla for Gaza.

The motion, to be proposed by independent councillor Thomas Pringle, reads: “That Donegal County Council condemns the actions of the Israeli navy in attacking the flotilla delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza and calls on the Dublin government to expel the Israeli ambassador in protest.”

Spokesperson for éirígí Tir Chonaill Micheál Cholm MacGiolla Easbuig said: “Action must be taken now in response to the latest Israeli massacre of innocent people. To date, the zionist government has acted with impunity, this situation must come to an end.

“The Israeli ambassador in the Twenty-Six Counties and all the embassy staff should be expelled without delay. Trade with Israel should be suspended and all preferential agreements negotiated by the EU with Israel should be cancelled. It is time to treat the Israeli state like the moral pariah that it is.

“To this end, éirígí welcomes the emergency motion being put before Donegal County Council and calls on all councillors to vote in favour of it. Councils around Ireland should begin passing similar motions. Ireland must take a stand on this issue.”

Protest Against Israeli Aggression

31/05/10

éirígí spokesperson Daithí Mac An Mhaistír has called on people to attend today’s demonstrations in Belfast, Derry and Dublin in response to the Israeli attack on the international aid flotilla bound for Gaza.

Twenty aid workers have been confirmed dead and dozens injured after last night’s attack in international waters when the Israeli navy opened fire on the six boats and commandos stormed the decks and opened fire. At least eight Irish people are among the humanitarians who were bound for the besieged Gaza Strip, which has suffered under a zionist blockade since the democratic election of the Hamas government.

Mac An Mhaistír said: “Yet again, Israel has been exposed as a rogue state in the eyes of the world. Their barbaric treatment of international aid workers seeking to relieve a beleaguered population bears all the hallmarks of a fascistic regime.

“Action must be taken to end these recurring massacres. The Israeli ambassador and all the embassy staff must be expelled by the Twenty-Six County government without delay.

“Trade with Israel should be suspended and the preferential agreements the European Union has negotiated should be cancelled. This apartheid state should be boycotted and shunned by the whole world.”

Mac An Mhaistír continued: “To this end, people should get to today’s demonstrations in Belfast, Derry and Dublin – as an act of solidarity with the Palestinian people and the aid workers, as a display of outrage at the Israeli regime and as an act of protest against western complicity in the ongoing Palestinian nightmare.

“The more people there are on the streets, the more pressure will be brought to bear upon those in Ireland who insist on collaborating with the Israeli regime.”

Today’s protests are as follows: Belfast City Hall, 4pm

Guildhall Square, Derry, 5pm

The Spire, O’Connell Street, Dublin, 6pm, for march to Israeli embassy.

No place for private finance in Health Service

Deireann éirígí nach bhfuil áit d'airgeadas príomháideach in ospidéal Leifir nó inár gcóras sláinte

29/05/2010

(English version follows)

Dúirt urlabhraí Thír Chonaill Mícheál Mac Giolla Easbuig nach bhfuil áit do chomhlachtaí príomháideacha i bhforáil an chórais shláinte in ospidéal Leifear nó in earnáil ar bith den chóras sláinte.

Bhí sé ag freagairt ráiteas ó Sheanadóir Fhianna Fáil Brian O' Domhnaill nuair a mhaígh sé go ndéanfadh an tAire Sláinte Mary Harney cíoradh ar fhorbairt ospidéil phobail nua i Leifear mar chuid de chomhpháirtíocht phríomháideach phoiblí.

Dúirt sé: "Tá na ciorraithe agus dúnadh atá á dhéanamh agus á phleanáil d'ospidéil ar nós Leifear, á thógáil ar bhunús buiséadach agus níl baint acu leis an chúram leighis a chuireann siad ar fáil nó le riachtanais shláinte an phobail."

"Ní amháin go bhfuil na ciorraithe seo éagórach, ach níl gá ar bith leo. Tá siad á fhorchuir trí chinntí polaitiúla réamhbheartaithe tógtha ag páirtí Sheanadóir O' Domhnaill, Fianna Fáil. Deireann siad nach bhfuil an t-airgeadas acu chun ár n-ospidéil agus ár gcóras sláinte a mhaoiniú i gceart, ach ag an am céanna níl leisce ar bith orthu teacht ar na billiúin euro chun dul i mbannaí ar a gcomhghuaillithe sna bainc."

Chuir sé leis: D'ainneon an meathlú geilleagrach, is tír rachmasach fós í Éire. 'Sí an fhadhb ná go bhfuil 34% de shaibhreas na tíre i lámha 1% den daonra. Tá na daoine seo tar éis éalú slán sábháilte fas is atá na ciorraithe fulaingthe ag oibrithe, pinsinéirí, daoine dífhostaithe, daoine breoite agus iad siúd le riachtanais speisialta. Thógadh cáin rachmais trom forchurtha ar na daoine seo ioncam ollmhór isteach ag déanamh na ciorraithe seo neamhriachtanach. An t-aon rud atá in easnamh ná toil pholaitiúil."

"D'fhéadfadh an rialtas seo chomh maith, agus ba chóir dóibh, ár n-acmhainní nádúrtha a náisiúnú. Tá níos mó ná 500 billiún euro d'ola agus gás faoi ghrinneall na farraige ónár gcósta, na cearta tugtha d'ilnaisiúnach ollmhór cosúil le Shell. Níl aon bhac dleathach ag cur coisc orthu na hacmhainní seo a náisiúnú. Ní fhágfadh an saibhreas ollmhór leithscéal ar bith do dhúnadh Leifear agus ospidéil eile. Ní bheadh leithscéal ar bith acu ar dhúnadh leapaí, baint seirbhísí, ganntanas foirne agus anliosta de chiorrathe eile forchurtha ag an rialtas fuarchroíoch seo. Arís eile, an t-aon rud atá in easnamh ná toil pholaitiúil."

Chríochnaigh sé: "Caithfear ospidéal Leifir a choinneáil agus é a choinneáil i lámha poiblí amháin. Níl áit ann do chomhlachtaí príobháideacha nó do spreagthachtaí an bhrabúis i bhforáil an chórais shláinte, seirbhís phoiblí riachtanach. Caithfidh ár gcóras sláinte a bheith faoi smacht an phobail, a bheith saor agus cothrom go fíreannach, bunaithe ar riachtanas leighis amháin, ní ar acmhainneacht chun íoctha. Maoinigh ár n-ospidéil, ní na bainc."

No place for private finance in Health Service

éirígí Tír Chonaill spokesperson Micheál Cholm MacGiolla Easbuig has said that there is no place for private companies in the provision of health care in Lifford hospital or any other sector of the health service.

He was responding to comments from Fianna Fáil Senator Brian O’Domhnaill in which he claimed that Health Minister Mary Harney would consider the development of a new community hospital in Lifford as part of a Public Private Partnership.

He said: “The cutbacks and closures being carried out and planned for hospitals such as Lifford's are being taken on a budgetary basis and has nothing to do with the medical care they provide or the medical needs of the community.”

“These cuts are not only unjust, but they are completely unnecessary. They are being imposed by deliberate political decisions being taken by Senator O'Domhnaill's party, Fianna Fáil. They say they haven't the finance to properly fund our hospitals and health service, yet at the same time they have no hesitation in finding tens of billions of euros to bail out their cronies in the banks.”

He added: “Despite the economic recession, Ireland remains a wealthy country. The problem lies in that 1% of the population control 34% of the wealth. These people have escaped unsacathed while workers, pensioners, the unemployed, the ill and those with special needs have borne the brunt of the cutbacks. A hefty wealth tax imposed on these individuals would also bring in massive revenue making these cutbacks unnecessary. All that is lacking is political will.”

“The government could also, and should, nationalise our natural resources. More than 500 billion euros worth of oil and gas lies under the seabed off our coast, the rights to which they have given away to private multi-national giants like Shell. There is no legal impediment preventing them nationalising these resources. The vast wealth would leave no excuse for closing Lifford and other hospitals. They would have no excuse for bed closures, removing services, staff shortages and the litany of other cuts imposed by this uncaring administration. Once again, all that is lacking is political will.”

He concluded: “Lifford hospital needs to be retained and retained solely in public hands. There is no place for private companies or profit motives in the provision of health care, an essential public service. Our health care system must be completely under public control, must be truly free and equal, based solely on medical need, not ability to pay. Fund our hospitals, not the banks”.

Prisoners Picket in Camlough

28/05/10

Around 70 republicans held a white line picket in Camlough, south Armagh on Friday [May 21] in solidarity with the protesting republican prisoners in Maghaberry jail.

Many éirígí members and supporters were in attendance, as were the families of political prisoners, former POWs and other republicans.

The picket, which fell on the 29th anniversary of the death of south Armagh hunger-striker Raymond McCreesh, highlighted the inhumane conditions that political prisoners in Maghaberry have to endure, including:

• 23 hour lock up
• Degrading strip searches of themselves and their visiting families
• Psychological torture
• Controlled movement
• Sniffer dog searches
• Assaults
• Criminalisation

During the picket, a banner was erected in the village calling for an end to the criminalisation of republican prisoners.

Meanwhile, the family of Lurgan republican Colin Duffy have challenged the decision to ban them from visiting him in Maghaberry.

Duffy’s wife and brother were informed this week that they would not be allowed to attend visits in the jail. No explanation for the vindictive move was given to them.

The Duffys’ legal representative Kevin Winters described the visiting ban as “draconian”.

“What’s more, at the minute it seems totally indeterminate,” Winters said.

“We have written to the governor asking for a reinstatement of visits. As yet, we have not received a reply.

“Should the situation carry on as it is then we have no alternative but to go before the courts to seek access regarding visits.”

Tenants Forced to Live in Flats Flowing with Raw Sewerage

27/05/10

A report in yesterday’s Irish Times detailing the dreadful inhuman living conditions endured by council tenants in Dublin’s south inner-city could have come straight from the pages of newspapers of the early 20th Century.

Almost a century after the Dublin Lockout, the shocking living conditions of working class residents in the Dublin City Council flat complex of Dolphin House are an indictment on the Twenty-Six County state.

According to a Human Rights Commission report, flats in the complex “have sewage backing up into sinks and baths and mould covering entire walls of bedrooms”. The Commission viewed video material made by the residents, which showed “black mould growing on walls, curtains and clothes, sinks and baths filled with sewage and water dripping down walls and windows”. According to a survey of the residents of 72 flats, 84 per cent regularly experienced sewage coming up through pipes and sinks, 72 per cent had damp in their flats, 64 per cent had mould growing in bathrooms and bedrooms, 93 per cent reported foul smells, 91 per cent of those who had damp or sewage problems said it was affecting their health and 86 per cent said they were dissatisfied with the response from Dublin City Council.

That working class communities in the 21st Century continue to live in conditions of absolute degradation is a shameful and criminal indictment of the state authorities and proof, were it needed, that the rights of citizens to live in dignity is subordinate to the interests of private capital.

How is it that, 100 years after the Dublin Lockout, council tenants in one of the wealthiest cities in Europe continue to live in conditions that are unfit for human habitation? What type of society allows it citizens to live in flats where raw sewerage flows through plug holes; where walls drip with water and crumble from damp; where, due to the environment in which they are forced to live, adults and children suffer from asthma, respiratory illnesses, skin infections and stomach bugs? The Human Rights Commission report stands as a criminal testimony of inequality perpetuated during the ‘Celtic Tiger’ years. The Celtic Tiger did not so much by-pass communities like those in Dolphin House as crush them under-foot and force them deeper into poverty.

Yesterday’s report was all the more shocking given that the slums of Dublin were believed to be a thing of the past. That we are still reporting on such conditions, illustrates that capitalism works only in the interest of a minority. In 1934, the newly founded Republican Congress reported on the appalling living conditions of the Dublin working class. On June 23 that year, the group’s newspaper Republican Congress, published a story describing the living hell that was Magee’s Court in Dublin’s north inner city:

“In Magees Court there are seven small cottages (42 rooms) enclosed in a court ten feet wide. In these cottages live 36 families – 156 people. The air is practicably unbearable. The rooms at night are walking with sewerage beetles. Mothers have to remain up all night to protect their children from these loathsome insects… The walls are crumbling and damp, the roofs leaking, the floors slanting in the upstairs rooms because the front walls of the houses are leaning so much forward.”

Meanwhile, on York Street, in Dublin’s south inner city, swarms of rats were “a constant worry” with “as many as thirty caught in one kitchen in one week and an infestation of countless millions of bugs” was causing an “even greater calamity”. These hellish conditions were being reported two decades after the 1913 Lockout, a period in which Arnold Wright, no friend of the Dublin working class, described the slums of Dublin “as a thing apart in the inferno of social degradation”. During the course of the 1913-14 British government Inquiry into Dublin Housing Conditions, Dublin Corporation was forced to admit that 28,000 citizens of the city were living in conditions that were unfit for human habitation. The Irish Times described the Inquiry’s report as a “terrible indictment of the social conditions and civic administration of Dublin”. Not surprisingly, the same paper neglected to include that the slums also represented the very essence of capitalist exploitation.

The ‘civic administration’ indicted by the Irish Times almost 100 years ago once again stands indicted for placing the interests of private capital above that of its people. The response from Dublin City Council to this report has been utterly contemptible. Indicating the blatant disregard in which the Council holds its tenants, city manager John Tierney refused to even attend the launch of the report. The Council should be hauled before the courts and charged with human rights abuses. It is becoming clearer by the days that we live in a society in which those without power, wealth and influence can quite literally be treated as non-humans. While the state facilitated widespread profiteering in property by a powerful rich elite in Irish society, the working class of Dolphin House are forced to live in Dickensian conditions.

The weasel words from a city council press release that they do not have sufficient finance to carry out the necessary repairs in Dolphin House is simply a hand wringing exercise and a complete abdication of responsibility. It has been clear for a long time that the Council is seeking to extricate itself from its responsibility to provide social housing. In 1985, the local authority provided 27 per cent of new homes built, by 1998 this was reduced to just eight per cent. During that period, thousands of local authority houses were sold to tenants. The use of Public Private Partnerships for regeneration programmes has resulted in a further significant reduction in the number of social housing units available. While council tenants in Dolphin House live in a sewerage infested hell, private landlords are getting rich on massive state subsidies.

According to research conducted by Tenants First in 2008, private landlords were subsidised to the tune of €391.5m [£332m] annually through the rent supplement scheme, with Dublin City Council spending an almost equal amount on rent supplement as social housing. Ironically, given the abominable conditions in which the residents of Dolphin House are forced to live, an astonishing 96 per cent of private properties in the city council area failed to comply with minimum standards under the rent supplement scheme. Given the current economic recession and the huge increase in unemployment, there has undoubtedly been a significant increase in the amount of public money going to subsidise private landlords. While private landlords enjoy a feast of public money, city council tenants in Dolphin House endure intolerable and inhuman living conditions. Were this a failed bank with billions of euro of debt, there is no doubt that the state would intervene. The fact that the state is pumping billions into Anglo Irish Bank, while citizens of the state live in conditions akin to the Dublin slums of the early 20th Century says everything about the rotten, corrupt and barbaric system that is capitalism.

It is difficult to comprehend that an analysis from the Republican Congress newspaper just over 75 years ago could so appropriately describe the contemporary living conditions of the working class of Dublin’s inner-city; “terrible indignation should burn up in the breast of every worker at a system that condemns our brothers and sisters to crawl to an unholy death in such cesspools of misery and death”. Dublin City Council must be compelled to take immediate action and provide decent living conditions for its tenants in Dolphin House. Residents should withhold their rent and City Hall should tremble from the march of thousands until an end is put to the appalling human suffering in Dublin’s south inner city.

ÁGÓID OSPIDÉIL LEIFIR: MAOINIGH ÁR N-OSPIDÉIL - NÍ NA BAINC

25/05/2010

Dúirt urlabhraí éirígí Thír Chonaill Mícheál Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig gur chur mórshiúl agus slógadh mór Dé Domhnaigh le haghaidh coinneála ospidéil Leifir teachtaireacht ghlórach chuig Feidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte agus a máistrí polaitiúla i dTeach Laighean, nach bhfuil an t-ospidéal le dúnadh, agus go bhfuil orthu ár n-ospidéil a mhaoiniú in ionad na bainc.

Bhí sé ag caint i Leifear tar éis páirt a ghlacadh sa slógadh agóide le baill agus gníomhaígh eile éirígí.

Dúirt Mac Giolla Easbuig: "Tá rialtas Fhianna Fáil ag díchoimeáil agus ag scriosadh an chórais shláinte go rianúil. Níl gá amháin le haisiompú a gciorrú, ach tá gá le huasghrádú ar ár n-ospidéil agus seirbhísí riachtanacha agus soláthar ar fhoirne riachtanacha agus acmhainní nach bhfuil ann faoi láthair."

Chuir sé leis: "Tá polasaí ginearálta ollscriosadh ag Fianna Fáil agus an Comhaontas Glas i dtreo seirbhísí sláinte poiblí go ginearálta. Tá íosghrádú á dhéanamh ar ospidéil agus iad ag dúnadh go hiomlán. Tá laghdú á dhéanamh ar sheirbhísí agus tá siad á bhogadh níos faide as baile ó phobail áitiúla. Tá dúnadh bardaí, baint leapaí, laghdú foirne agus gearradh siar á dhéanamh ar chúnamh baile chun aird a tharraingt ach ar an bheagán."

"Ná bíodh aon dul amú ann, tá todhchaí ospidéil phobail Leifir i mbaol ollmhór. Má tá muid chun stop a chur lena dhúnadh, 'sí cumhacht an phobail an t-aon bhealach chun é a dhéanamh. Ba thús iontach é mórshiúl agus slógadh an lae inniu ach caithfear an móiminteam a chothabháil agus a threisiú ar na sráideanna."

Chríochnaigh Mac Giolla Easbuig: "Chuir na mílte daoine a mhairseáil tríd Leifear inniu teachtaireacht ghlórach agus shoiléir chuig Fianna Fáil agus Feidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte. An teachtaireacht sin ná ár n-ospidéil a mhaoiniú, ní na bainc. Mar phobal tá ár ndothain faighte againn de na ciorraithe sláinte fíochmhara seo agus ní ghlacfaidh muid le dúnadh nó laghdú ar sheirbhísí in ospidéal Leifir. Tá seirbhís shláinte den chéad scoth tuillte againn atá so-aimsithe agus ar fáil do chách bunaithe ar riachtanas leighis an duine, ní ar shaibhreas an duine."

Thousands March to Demand Retention of Lifford Hospital

24/05/2010

Thousands of people took to the streets of the border town of Lifford in County Donegal on Sunday (May 23) for a march and rally opposing HSE plans to shut Lifford Community Hospital. In sweltering heat, the large crowd assembled at the grounds of the threatened hospital before marching to the Diamond in the town.

Amongst those who addressed the Rally at the Diamond were representatives of the Save Lifford Hospital group, local clergy and political representatives as well as speakers from IMPACT, SIPTU and the INMO trade unions.

Speaking after the rally, éirígí Tír Chonaill spokesperson Micheál Cholm MacGiolla Easbuig who had taken part in the march with other éirígí activists, said that the demonstration sent a loud message to the HSE and their political masters in Leinster House, that the hospital is not for closing, and that they must fund our hospitals instead of the banks.

MacGiolla Easbuig said: “This Fianna Fáil led administration are systematically dismantling and destroying the public health service. Not only must their savage cutbacks be reversed, but our hospitals and the essential services they provide must be upgraded and provided with the necessary staff and resources so sadly lacking at present.”

He added: “There is a a general policy of slash and burn by Fianna Fáil and the Green party towards public health services in this country. Hospitals are being downgraded and shut down completely. Services are being reduced and moved further away from local communities. There are ward closures, bed removals, staff reductions and cuts in home help to highlight just a some of the outrageous and unjust cutbacks being imposed.”

“Make no mistake, the future of Lifford Community hospital is under serious threat. If we are to prevent its closure, then people power is the only way to do it. Todays march and rally was an excellent start but the momentum now needs to be maintained and intensified on the streets.”

MacGiolla Easbuig concluded: “The thousands of people who marched through Lifford today sent a loud and clear message to Fianna Fáil and the HSE. That message is to fund our hospitals, not the banks. As a community we have had enough of these savage health cuts and the closure or reduction of sevices in Lifford hospital will not be tolerated. We deserve a first class health service easily accessible and available to all based on a persons medical need, not their wealth.”

You can view more photos from Sunday's march & rally by clicking here

Sábháil Otharlann Leifir – Maoinigh na hOtharlanna, ní na Bancanna

22/05/2010

(English version follows)

Ghlaoigh urlabhraí éirígí Thír Chonaill Micheál Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig ar comhrialtas Fhianna Fáil agus na nGlasach na hotharlanna agus an tseirbhís shláinte a mhaoiniú seachas na bancanna. Ghlaoigh sé chomh maith ar an phobal teacht amach in uimhreacha móra Dé Domhnaigh ag an slógadh agus mórshiúl agóide ar son choinneáil Otharlann Leifir.

Dúirt Mac Giolla Easbuig: “Cithfear na giorruithe fiáine a d’fhorchuir an rialtas seo ar an tseirbhís shláinte a aisiompú. Tá Fianna Fáil ag baint anuas agus ag scriosadh na seirbhíse sláinte go rianúil.”

Lean sé: “Ar fud na tíre, anseo san iar-thuaisceart san áireamh, chonaic muid druidim bhardaí, druidim leapaí, laghdú foirne agus íosghrádú ár n-otharlanna agus seirbhís shláinte i gcoiteann.

“Ná bíodh dallach dubh ar aon duine, tá Otharlann Leifir anois faoi radharc an FSS [HSE] agus tá baol mór ar a todhchaí. Is é cumhacht na ndaoine an t-aon rud a chuirfidh bac ar dhruidim na hotharlainne seo ag lámha an rialtas agus an FSS.”

Chríochnaigh Mac Giolla Easbuig: “Mholfhainn do dhaoine ar fud an iarthuaiscirt freastal ar an léirsiú Dé Domhnaigh in uimhreacha móra. Caithfidh muid teachtaireacht láidir agus shoiléir a chur chuig Fianna Fáil agus an FSS go bhfuil muid tinn tuirseach de na giorruithe sláinte fiáine a bhfuil á bhforchur orainn, go bhfuil seirbhís shláinte den chéad scot tuilte againn and nach nglacfaidh muid le druidim Otharlann Leifir ná le tuilleadh laghdaithe i seirbhísí. Tá an teachtaireacht soiléir. Maoinigh ár n-otharlanna, chan na bancana.”

Save Lifford Hospital – Fund our Hospitals, not the Banks

éirígí Tír Chonaill spokesperson Micheál Cholm MacGiolla Easbuig has called on the Fianna Fáil/Green party coalition to fund our hospitals and health service instead of the banks. He also called on the public to turn out in large numbers at Sunday's protest march and rally for the retention of Lifford Hospital.

MacGiolla Easbuig said: “The savage cuts that this administration have imposed on the health service must be reversed. Fianna Fáil are systematically dismantling and destroying the health service.”

He added: “Throughout the country, including here in the north-west, we have seen ward closures, bed closures, staff reductions and a downgrading of our hospitals and health service generally.”

“Let no one be under under illusion, Lifford hospital is now firmly in the sights of the HSE and its future is under serious threat. The only way that we can prevent this government and the HSE and shutting this hospital is by people power.”

MacGiolla Easbuig concluded: “I would urge people throughout the north west to attend Sunday's demonstration in large numbers. We need to send a loud and clear message to Fianna Fáil and the HSE that as a community we are sick and tired of the savage health cuts being imposed on us, that we deserve a first class health service and that we wont accept the closure of Lifford Hospital or further reduction in services. The message is clear. Fund our hospitals, not the banks.”

éirígí accuse Fianna Fáil of “warped priorities” over Donegal VEC row

21/05/2010

éirígí Tír Chonaill spokesperson Micheál Cholm MacGiolla Easbuig has accused Donegal Fianna Fáil councillors of having “warped priorities”. He claimed they were more concerned about securing appointments for themselves than about the increased poverty and hardship their party is inflicting on working class communities.

He was responding to comments by local Fianna Fáil representatives following Mondays (May 17) meeting of Donegal Vocational Education Committee (VEC) which was held to make appointments to boards of management of VEC schools and other VEC committees. Fianna Fáil councillors said they were “shafted” at the meeting, with Cllr Dessie Larkin describing it as a “dark, dark day for the VEC”.

MacGiolla Easbuig said: “The priorities of these Fianna Fáil politicians are truly astonishing. I dont recall these same Fianna Fáil reps complaining about low paid workers and social welfare recipients being “shafted” by their party when incomes and access to essential public sevices were being slashed. I dont recall them describing successive budgets as “dark, dark days” for working people.”

He added: “These same politicians have supported some of the most savage cutbacks imposed since the foundation of this state. Cuts in pay, welfare, child benefit, early childcare supplement, home help, school transport, school book schemes, the scrapping of the Christmas bonus, new prescription charges and increased fuel costs have all lead to a sharp decline in the living standards of welfare recipients and working people. As a result, poverty levels have increased significantly. Cuts in essential health and essential services have also contributed greatly to this hardship and suffering.”

“As this hardship is being imposed in order to bail out the banks and to maintain the wealthy lifestyles of the political and business elite, there is no mention from these Fianna Fáil politicians of people being “shafted” or of “dark, dark days”.

He concluded: “As autumn and winter approach, more and more families will sink deeper into poverty. Families will find it harder to heat their homes and to adequately nourish themselves. As a result, more people will fall ill and die. But hey, that doesn't concern Fianna Fáil councillors. They have more pressing matters such as complaining about positions on the VEC to worry about!!!”

Letterkenny Hospital colonoscopy waiting list times placing lives needlessly at risk

20/05/2010

éirígí Tír Chonaill activist Micheál MacGiolla Easbuig has slammed the Health Service Executive (HSE) and Minister Mary Harney, claiming that they are putting patients lives needlessly at risk as a result of increasing waiting lists and delays for people requiring colonoscopies.

He was responding to the release of recent figures which revealed that there were 951 people waiting more than three months requiring colonoscopies. This is an increase of 130 since December. The figures for Letterkenny General Hospital now stands at 56, up from 43 in March and 25 in December. Sligo General Hospital has increased to 99 compared to 74 in March and 44 back in December).

MacGiolla Easbuig said: "It is completely unacceptable and outrageous that waiting lists for people waiting more than three months for a colonoscopy at Letterkenny and Sligo General Hospitals are on the increase. It seems that the HSE and their political masters in Leinster House are intent on putting the lives of patients at risk needlessly by not providing efficient and proven to be effective measures to detect and prevent deaths from various forms of cancer."

He added: “Bowel cancer is the second most common cause of cancer in Ireland with more than 50% of patients diagnosed with the more advanced forms of the disease. Fewer than 5% of patients with stage 4 bowel cancer survive more than four years. A colonoscopy has been proven to be the most effective method to diagnose the disease and should be carried out within four to six weeks of a patient being referred by their GP.”

He concluded: "It is inexcusable that increasing numbers of people are been forced to wait more than three months for a procedure that if received in time could save their lives. Rather than spending billions of euros to bail out the banks the Fianna Fáil/Green party coalition should be providing a first class health service for the people of this county and the rest of the state, a service that provides screening and other early detection procedures such as colonoscopy services within weeks of referral and not months as is currently the case."

éirígí Activist Released

18/05/10

The éirígí activist held on remand in the aftermath of Saturday’s Garda attack on the Anglo Irish Bank demonstration was released yesterday [Monday].

John McCusker was among the seven peaceful protestors who were assaulted and arrested by Gardaí during the éirígí-organised demonstration.

McCusker, who is the chair of one éirígí’s Belfast ciorcal [local branch], was denied bail on Saturday on the spurious grounds that Gardaí could not establish his identity. Despite his passport being in the possession of Gardaí from Saturday evening, it took until Monday afternoon for him to be released.

The Belfast man spent the weekend on 24-hour lock up in Cloverhill Prison, Dublin without any clothes after he refused to wear a prison uniform and prison authorities refused to allow him to remain in his own clothes.

éirígí chairperson Brian Leeson, who met McCusker at the gates of Cloverhill upon his release, said: “Saturday’s arrests were the first made in relation to anti-NAMA peaceful protests. Unless the Garda changes its attitude, there are going to be many more because éirígí activists and supporters will not be intimidated by any amount of thuggish behaviour and bully boy tactics.

“John is to be commended for how he has handled himself since Saturday and for the stance he took in refusing to wear a prison uniform.

“All seven activists will be pleading not guilty to the charges that have been leveled against them and éirígí will be giving them complete support in fighting this battle. The right to peaceful protest must be upheld.”

Garda Attack of Peaceful Anglo Irish Protest

17/5/2010

For a photo essay of éirígí's peaceful Anglo Irish protest and the subsequent Garda attack, please click here.

Anglo Irish Protest & Garda Attack – Full Report

16/05/10

On Saturday (May 15) the true nature of the Twenty-Six County state was once again exposed as the Garda violently attacked those who dare to oppose NAMA, the bank bailouts and the savage programme of cutbacks.

The Garda response to éirígí’s protest was not the result of an operational blunder or lack of experience. The decision to attack peaceful protesters was both premeditated and well planned. And more importantly is was highly political. The Dublin government have clearly decided that the emerging resistance to their right wing economic policies must be crushed before it grow stronger.

Below is a full account of the events of the day. The times below are accurate to within ten minutes. All of the key facts below have been authenticated by eye witness accounts, photographs and video footage.

5.45

Four éirígí activists climb onto the roof of the outer porch of Anglo Irish Bank headquarters on Stephens Green in Dublin city centre. They unfurl a large banner with ‘People of Ireland Rise Up’ emblazoned upon it. The four chain themselves together as part of their peaceful protest. Three other éirígí activists remain on the ground to provide support.

5.50 – 7.00

First Garda arrive within five minutes of rooftop protest beginning. Those taking part in the protest inform the Garda that they are staging a peaceful protest in opposition to NAMA, the bank bailout and the cutbacks. They also inform the Garda, in an act of civil disobedience, that they will not be complying with Garda orders to end their protest.

Additional Garda units arrive in a variety of marked and unmarked vehicles. By seven o’clock fifteen Garda vehicles are in situ, including a number of vans which are positioned under the outer porch of the building. The Garda also erect crowd control barriers across the front of the building.

7.00 – 11.15

During the course of the morning the Garda maintain a large presence both inside and outside of Anglo Irish headquarters. The Garda dog unit and vehicles used to transport the Garda riot squad also arrive in the vicinity, parking on Dawson Street, Kildare Street and Stephens Green.

The rooftop protesters continue to hold their banner while chatting to people on the ground who have come to show their support. The general atmosphere is light hearted and entirely peaceful.

11.15 – 12.15

The Garda remove a window from inside of the building and climb onto the roof of the outer porch. The éirígí activists inform the Garda that they are engaged in a peaceful protest and that any attempt to forcibly remove them would potentially be very dangerous, given that fact that they are chained together.

Despite the obvious safety risks a number more Garda climb through the window. In response the protesters move to the edge of the outer porch, still offering no resistance. The Garda then remove the banner and other items belonging to the protesters from the porch roof.

Up to twenty Garda charge towards the protesters. Despite the fact that no resistance is offered all four protesters are pinned down before being dragged through the window into the building. Once inside all four are forced to lie face down before being handcuffed and removed to a waiting van.

Meanwhile outside the bank roughly twenty protesters move to the rear entrance of the Anglo Irish building, with the intent of establishing the well-being of those who had just been dragged off the roof. It was at this point that the Garda first draw their batons and beat the protesters back onto Dawson Street.

Following a short standoff upwards of eighty Gardaí, including members of the riot squad and the dog unit, again attack protesters, pushing them into the path of oncoming traffic on Dawson Street.

For roughly ten minutes the Garda mob push, punch, drag and kick protesters away from the Anglo Irish building. At no point do the protesters retaliate in kind, despite the ample provocation.

Three more people, including the advertised main speaker for the protest, Daithí Mac An Mhaistír, are arrested under public order legislation.

12.15 – 15.15

Protesters make their way back to Anglo Irish headquarters as word of the Garda actions spreads across the city. By half past two, up to one hundred and fifty people have joined the protest.

Cathaoirleach éirígí Brian Leeson and Rúnaí Ginearálta éirígí Breandán Mac Cionnaith both address the crowd as word comes through that all of those who had been arrested are to be charged in the Bridewell court later in the afternoon.

The Garda attempt to prevent the erection of an effigy of disgraced banker Sean Fitzpatrick. The crowd refuse to bow to the Garda and cheer loudly as the effigy is set on fire. Chants of ‘Whose cops? NAMA’s cop’s’ and ‘Regulation doesn’t work – let the banks burn’ echo off the headquarters of Anglo Irish Bank.

15.15 – 17.30

Following the ending of the protest outside Anglo Irish Bank upwards of fifty people make their way to the Bridewell to demonstrate their support for the seven protesters who are to appear in court.

Six of the seven protesters, Daithí Mac An Mhaistír, Eoin Ó Sé, Daithí O Riain, Ursula Ní Shionnain, Pádraig Ó Meiscill and Robert Fox are released on bail after being charged under trespass and public order legislation. As part of their bail conditions all are banned from Anglo Irish Bank headquarters or any other Anglo Irish Bank property.

The seventh protester John McCusker is refused bail on the spurious grounds of the Garda being unwilling to accept that he was indeed John McCusker. The six protesters leave the courts to loud cheers from the assembled supporters.

John McCusker is transported to Cloverhill Prison until such time as the Garda are satisfied that they have established his identity. At the time of writing (the evening of Sunday May 16) John remains in custody.

Gardaí Attacks Can’t Stop the Fightback

15/05/10

éirígí chairperson Brian Leeson has described the Garda attack on peaceful protestors at Anglo Irish Bank today [Saturday] as “vicious and unprovoked”.

There was a large and aggressive Garda presence at the Stephen’s Green headquarters of the bank from early this morning after four éirígí activists gained access to a roof and unveiled a banner proclaiming ‘People of Ireland, Rise Up’.

Later, as Gardaí moved onto the roof to assault and arrest the protestors, demonstrators on the ground were also attacked, with three more arrests taking place. A number of those arrested sustained injuries in the Garda attack and received treatment from a doctor in Pearse Street Barracks.

Despite the attempt at intimidation, today’s main protest went ahead as planned at 2pm, with around 150 people turning up to demand an end to the bank bailout, NAMA and the slashing of public services. As the scheduled speaker, Daithí Mac An Mhaistír, was among those arrested, Brian Leeson gave the main oration.

During the demonstration, a large effigy of former Anglo Irish Bank chief executive Seán Fitzpatrick was burned.

Leeson said: “Today’s events proved the point that the institutions of this state act only in the interest of the bankers, developers and the entire business class.

“However, today also demonstrated that working class people are not powerless in the face of the economic onslaught being waged by right-wing politicians and the wealthy. The Garda’s aim – to prevent the demonstration going ahead – was not achieved.

“People should be conscious of their own ability to change the agenda in this country if they act collectively and determinedly. The action of the Garda and government cannot stop the fight-back that has now begun.”

Leeson also called for the immediate release of the only éirígí activist still in custody tonight, who is being held on the spurious grounds that Gardaí cannot ascertain his identity.

“There is absolutely no reason this man should continue to be held apart from political vindictiveness. He should be released immediately and the charges against all the activists should be dropped.”

Eisimirce agus Arm na Breataine – Réiteach an Stáit 26 contae ar olldhífhostaíocht

14/5/2010

(English version follows)

D’éiligh urlabharaí éirígí Tír Chonaill Mícheál Mac Giolla Easbuig go bhfuil an chuma ar gur é réiteach an stáit 26 contae ar an ghéarchéim dífhostaíochta ná comhcheangail de iallach a chur ar dhaoine óga dul ar imirce agus daoine a spreagadh chun dul isteach in arm na Breataine.

Dúirt Mac Giolla Easbuig: “Tá muid i lár géarchéime eacnamaíochta ar an oileán seo nach bhfuil feicthe againn riamh. Tá níos mó ná 500,000 gan obair, níos mó ná 21,000 i nDún na nGall amháin, ach theip ar an chomhrialtas, atá faoi stiúir Fhianna Fáil, go hainnis chun dul i ngleic leis an ghéarchéim seo agus aon fhostaíocht inbhuanaithe a chruthú.”

Chuir sé leis: “In ionad é seo an rud atá feicthe againn ná iarracht réamhbheartaithe ag an rialtas seo iallach a chuir ar dhaoine óga dul ar imirce. B’iad ráitis náireacha a thug Tánaiste Mary Coughlan do chlár ‘Hard Talk’ BBC i Mí Feabhra ná “nár drochrud” eisimirce.”

“Tá polasaí an rialtais dírithe ar dhaoine óga a scaoileadh amach as obair. Muna bhfuil sé olc go leor a bpostanna a chailliúnt, laghdaíodh a leas sóisialta go dtí €100 in aghaidh na seachtaine agus €150 dóibh siúd faoi 21 agus ó 22-24 faoi seach, ag déanamh é beagnach dodhéanta maireachtáil ar leas sóisialta anseo. Tá iallach ar na mílte daoine atá ag síniú do leas sóisialaigh fanacht ar suas go dtí 16 seachtaine sula bhfaigheann siad an méid beag seo. Tá na bearta seo go léir dírithe ar iallach a chur ar dhaoine óga dul ar imirce chun fíor mhéid an dífhostaíochta sa tír seo a chur i bhfolach.”

“Beart náireach eile ná an foilsiú go raibh FÁS bainteach le seoladh litreacha chuig daoine dífhostaithe ag cur daoine ar an eolas faoi dheiseanna fostaíochta in arm na Breataine. Seachas go bhfuil an rud atá déanta acu mídhleathach, tá sé uafásach go síleann gníomhaíocht stáit cosúil le FÁS go bhfuil sé oiriúnach a bheith mar gníomhaíocht earcaíochta d’arm na Breataine.”

“Tá arm na Breataine freagrach as slad na mílte saoránach san Afganastáin, san Iaráic agus anseo in Éirinn. Tá trúpaí na Breataine fós ag forghabháil cuid dár dtír. Úsáidtear na spéartha os cionn Fear Manach agus Tír Eoghain chun a bpíolótaí a thraenáil le haghaidh misean san Afganastáin, fad is atá aonaid faoi cheilt na Breataine ath-imscartha, ach go háirithe An Reisimint Taiscéalaíocht Speisialta, agus ag feidhmiú arís ar thalamh na hÉireann..”

Chríochnaigh sé: “Feall Fianna Fáil agus an Comhaontas Glas ar dhaoine dífhostaithe go dona. Ní eisimirce agus daoine a óga a spreagadh le dul isteach i meaisín dúnmharaithe airm na Breataine an réiteach ar an ghéarchéim dífhostaíochta. Toisc go bhfuil áthas ar Mary Coughlan agus ar a comhghleacaithe mílte dár ndaoine óga a fheiceáil ag dul ar imirce nó a bheith mar fhodair ghunna do mhíleata na Breataine, nochtaíonn sé clisiúnas morálta agus polatiúil an rialtais seo.”

Emigration & British army – 26-county state solution to mass unemployment

éirígí Tír Chonaill spokesperson Micheál Cholm MacGiolla Easbuig has claimed that the 26-county states solution to the unemployment crisis appears to be a combination of forcing young people to emigrate and encouraging people to join the British army.

MacGiolla Easbuig said: “We are in the midst of an unemployment crisis on this island like we have never seen before. More than 500,000 people are jobless, more than 21,000 here in Donegal alone, yet the Fianna Fáil led coalition has failed miserably to tackle this crisis and create any sustainable employment.”

He added: “Instead what we have seen is a deliberate attempt by this administration to force young people to emigrate. In what can only be described as shameful comments, Tánaiste Mary Coughlan told BBC's 'Hardtalk' programme in February that emigration was “not a bad thing”.”

“Government policy has been aimed at squeezing young people who are out of work. If losing their jobs was not bad enough, young people then had their dole reduced to €100 a week and €150 a week for under 21's and 22-24 year olds respectively, making it virtually impossible to survive on the dole here. Thousands of people signing on are forced to wait up to 16 weeks before they recieve this pittance. All of these measures are aimed at forcing young people to emigrate in order to hide the true extent of unemployment in the country.”

“A further shameful move was the revelation that FÁS were involved in the sending of letters to unemployed people advising them of job opportunities in the British army. Aside from the fact that what was done is illegal, it is appalling that a state agency such as Fás believe it appropriate to become a recruiting agency for the British army.”

“The British army is responsible for slaughtering thousands of civilians in Afghanistan, Iraq and here in Ireland. British troops continue to occupy part of our country. The skies above Fermanagh and Tyrone are been used to train their pilots for missions in Afghanistan while undercover British army units, most notably the Special Reconnaissance Regiment (SRR), have been re-deployed and are operating once again on Irish soil.”

He concluded: “Fianna Fáil and the Greens have failed the unemployed miserably. Emigration and encouraging young people to enlist in the British army murder machine is not a solution to the unemployment crisis. The fact that Mary Coughlan and her colleagues are happy to see thousands of our young people emigrate or serve as cannon fodder for the British military exposes both the moral and political bankruptcy of this administration.”

Up In Court for Saving Lives

12/5/2010

Lunacy continues unabated in the six-county justice system as we see people up in court for protesting against companies complicit in war crimes. Currently 14 people from Derry, 9 women and 5 men, are facing criminal charges for nothing more than taking part in a protest against Raytheon and their involvement in the manufacture of weapons used by states guilty of war crimes and human rights abuses.

One of the most notable of these states is Israel. This is a state with a record of decades of brutality against the Palestinian people and an illegal military occupation of their homeland. They bulldoze Palestinian homes to make way for Israeli settlements and violate many statutes of international law including The Charter of the United Nations, The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, The Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhumane or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, The Convention on the Rights of the Child. They have also been found to be in violation of 28 resolutions of the UN Security Council and almost 100 resolutions of the UN General Assembly.

Their brutality knows no bounds and in late December 2008, they launched a horrific three week long military assault on the people of Gaza leaving 1,400 Palestinian's dead including at least 400 children and 100 women. With the help of Raytheon's weapons, they decimated Gaza's infrastucture, bombed homes, schools, hospitals and UN compounds. Raytheon's weapons delivery systems helped Israel bombard Gaza with white phosphorous, the horrific results of which were beamed around the world on TV. All actions which heard countless cries for Israel to be tried for war crimes.

Raytheon are complicit in these war crimes. Their weapons delivery systems and missiles are used world wide by many other brutal regimes in their human rights abuses.

The 9 women and 5 men from Derry in their non-violent, direct action against Raytheon in the Derry plant in January 2009, were doing no more than trying to save innocent lives and halt the war machine which Raytheon is part of. Such action against those involved or complicit in war crimes should be commended. Likewise, the 14 individuals from Derry who protested against Raytheon should be commended and supported during their impending court case. The bottom line is it is the likes of Raytheon who should be on trail, not these brave men and women.

Show your support for the 14 Raytheon Accused and join the protest outside Crown Court, Belfast on the day their trial begins, on Monday 17th May 2010. Protest begins 9am.

For more information on the 14 Raytheon Accused click here.

Remember James Connolly through protest and action

11/05/10

éirígí is to mark the ninety-fourth anniversary of James Connolly’s execution with two public events in Dublin city over the weekend of May 15 and 16. The first will be an anti-NAMA protest outside of Anglo Irish Bank on Stephen’s Green in the city centre at 2pm on Saturday May 15. This will be followed with a commemorative wreath-laying ceremony in Arbour Hill at 12noon on Sunday May 16.

Announcing the weekend’s events Rúnaí Ginearálta éirígí Breandán Mac Cionnaith said, “This is the fifth year that éirígí have marked the anniversary of the execution of James Connolly and the other leaders of the 1916 Rising. Over the course of the upcoming Connolly weekend éirígí will hold an internal meeting to discuss policy and strategy as well as the anti-NAMA protest and wreath-laying ceremony. This mix of political theory, action and commemoration represents a fitting memorial to the legacy of James Connolly.

“In previous years éirígí’s commemoration in Arbour Hill has formed the centrepiece of the Connolly weekend. This year, however, we are breaking with that tradition and making the protest at Anglo Irish Bank the main focus of the weekend’s events. In the context of the current economic catastrophe we believe that there could be no more fitting tribute to the memory of James Connolly than the organisation of resistance to NAMA, the bank bailout and the savage cutbacks of the Dublin government. Connolly himself was a firm believer in the street politics of protest and demonstration.

“I would encourage republicans and socialists from across the country to join our protest at Anglo Irish, to bring the politics of Connolly out of the graveyard and onto the streets. In particular I would implore the tens of thousands of unemployed young people who have been abandoned by the Dublin establishment to join our protest, to become politically active and take back control of their own country.”

Cuireann éirígí McDaid i leith sotal agus béalchrábhadh in argóint ar phinsean

10/5/10

(English version follows)

Chuir urlabhraí éirígí Tír Chonaill Micheál Cholm MacGiolla Easbuig TD Fhianna Fáil Thiar-Thuaidh Jim McDaid i leith “sotal” agus “béalchrábhadh náireach”. Tháinig a chuid ráitis tar éis diúltiú McDaid stop a chuir lena tharraingt phinsin airí in ainneoin pá a fháil fós mar TD.

Dúirt MacGiolla Easbuig: “Níl deireadh le sotal McDaid. In ainneoin go bhfuil sé fós ag fáil tuarastal ollmhór agus costais ón ról atá aige mar TD i dTeach Laighean, tógann McDaid an seasamh go bhfuil sé i dteideal pinsean airí a fháil agus diúltaíonn sé scaradh leis an ioncam sin.”

Chuir sé leis: “Go deimhin, i ngníomh béalchrábhadh náireach, cuireann McDaid i leith iad siúd atá ag tabhairt dúshlán don seasamh atá aige, ag rá go bhfuil siad i mbun géarleanúint. Fós, seo an Teachta Dála céanna nach raibh aon leisce aige páirt a ghlacadh agus tacaíocht a thabhairt do ghéarleanúint a pháirtí in aghaidh oibrithe na hearnála poiblí agus faighteoirí leasa shóisialaigh. Seasann McDaid ar a thuarastal áibhéalach, a chostais agus a phinsean a choimead. Fós, níl aon leisce aige tacaíocht a thabhairt do chiorraithe ar phá oibrithe, ar leas sóisialach agus ar bhuiséid riachtanacha sláinte agus oideachais, agus atá soiléir óna thacaíocht iomlán i bhfábhar an bhuiséid is déanaí agus is fíochmhara forchurtha ag a pháirtí.”

“Óna thúr eabhar, rinne sé iarracht go poiblí níos mó ainnise a chuir ar oibrithe ar phá íseal, ag éilimh go ndéantar laghdú ar an íosphá atá ar leibhéal íseal cheanna féin.”

Chríochnaigh sé: “Is rudaí tipiciúla iad a shotal agus a bhéalchrábhadh de mheon an rialtais seo i dtaobh muintir na hÉireann. Cé nár chruthaigh oibrithe agus faighteoirí leasa shóisialaigh an géarchéim eacnamaíochta reatha seo óna tháinig oll-dífhostaíocht, 20,000+ anseo i nDún na nGall, agus imirce ónár dtír arís, tá McDaid agus Fianna Fáil ag iarraidh go n-íocfaidh siad praghas a bpolasaithe eacnamaíochta agus tá siad ag iarraidh a nósanna maireachtála, atá rachmasach agus áibhéalach, agus a bhfuil sé féin agus a chomhghuaillithe gnó cleachtaithe ar, a choimead”.

éirígí accuse McDaid of arrogance and hypocrisy over pension row

10/5/10

éirígí Tír Chonaill spokesperson Micheál Cholm MacGiolla Easbuig has accused Fianna Fáil North East TD Jim McDaid of “arrogance” and “staggering hypocrisy”. His comments came following McDaid's refusal to stop drawing down a ministerial pension despite still still being in receipt of his salary as a TD.

MacGiolla Easbuig said: “The arrogance of Deputy McDaid knows no bounds. Despite the fact that he continues to receive a massive salary and expenses from his role as a TD in Leinster House, McDaid insists that he is entitled to receive a Ministerial pension and refuses to relinquish that income.”

He added: “Indeed, in act of staggering hypocrisy, McDaid goes on to accuse those challenging his position of engaging in a 'witch hunt'. Yet this is the same Deputy who had no hesitation in taking part and supporting his party's witch hunt against public sector workers and social welfare recipients.”

“McDaid insists on keeping his extravagant salary, expenses and pension. Yet he has been an enthusiastic supporter of cutbacks in workers pay, in social welfare and in essential health and education budgets, as evident by his complete support of the most recent and savage budget imposed by his party.”

“From his ivory tower, he has also publicly sought to heap further misery on low paid workers, demanding to have the minimum wage reduced from its already low level.”

He concluded: “His arrogance and hypocrisy is typical of this administrations attitude to the Irish people. While workers and social welfare recipients did not create the current economic crisis which has resulted in mass unemployment, 21,000+ here in Donegal, and emigration from our shores once again, McDaid and Fianna Fáil want them to pay the price for their economic policies in order to maintain the wealthy and extravagant lifestyle that he and his political and business cronies have become accustomed to.”