Blair in Dublin today!

by Justin Moran - Sinn Fein Tue May 06, 2003 11:53 maigh_nuad at yahoo dot com

Sinn Féin will indeed be protesting the arrival of democracy's latest enemy to Dublin but it's not happening at lunchtime. Some-one else in the office here has stolen my copy of his itinerary for what are no doubt, dubious purposes, but Blair is not arriving until 3.30pm at Dublin Airport, there's a photocall there and then he's off to Farmleigh by car to arrive at 3.50pm. Then he disappears into meeting with Ahern to explain to Bertie how incredibly irrelevant the Dublin Government is to the process before appearing outside the entrance to Farmleigh at 5.45pm just in time for the 6pm news.

Security is believed to be very tight with severe restrictions on access to the complex for journalists, let alone normal punters. While Sinn Fein will be protesting the suspension of elections, all others are welcome to join in. Anyone looking into transport to get there should contact Sinn Fein Head Office at 8726100 as I believe a number of cars are being sorted out to take people. If you're good, we'll even provide a placard.

by Tony Tue May 06, 2003 11:55

I bet Blair has the FM104 joker

by Florence - N/A Tue May 06, 2003 12:14

I only had sketchy details! Thanks for the info...at least we have a bit more time to increase our presence!!!!

by Janus Tue May 06, 2003 12:20

Will there be an anti-war presence at this protest, either from SF or anyone else who intends going? Are the IAWM mobilising people for this? I could kind of understand why the Shinners might noe be focussed on the war issue but for those that are is this not an opportunity to take advantage of?

by Brian Cahill - SP Tue May 06, 2003 12:38

A protest at this stage would be seen as sectarian and Anti British. It would be damaging to the Anti War Movement in Northern Ireland.

by Justin Morahan - Peace People Tue May 06, 2003 12:48

I think anti-war people of every hue should keep up the pressure.
In season and out of season - especially out of season like now, when Bertie and Tony would like to persuade us that it's all over.

by Sean Tue May 06, 2003 12:53

Brian are for real.
Could you not then protest at both of them bertie complicity and Blair´s outright support for the war.
"Sectarian and Anti-British" this is the kind of argument we would expect to hear from rightwing pro-war enthusiasts.
This is a disgraceful attitude to have by a member of a "socialist" party!!!

by hs - sp Tue May 06, 2003 12:58

please sean you can't be that stupid, that wasn't brian and no he's not for real.

by jews Tue May 06, 2003 13:00

lord levy etc

dont dare mention it !

by Curious Tue May 06, 2003 13:01

Doesnt Brian exist?

by Badman Tue May 06, 2003 13:04

Yep, all of his speeches are prepared by the elders of zion, aren't they?

It's just as well that ye nazis are so stupid and have such moronic theories. The only people who could possibly be attracted to you are paranoid schizophrenics, and a movement built around the mentally ill isn't going to achieve too much.

by RFLMAO Tue May 06, 2003 14:54

The Irish can't be seen to be "anti-British" but have no problem being Anti American!

by Harry Tue May 06, 2003 18:39

Please do not compare mentally ill people with nazis. Social stigma agin mentally ill is a serious problem.

by MediaHead - Catholic Worker Tue May 06, 2003 18:39 087 918 4552

[moved by R Isible]

Tue, May 6 2003, 4:03pm

Catholic Worker Liturgy to be Celebrated at Farmleigh House to greet Blair.

In anticipation of the arrival of the British Prime Minister Tony Blair at Farmleigh House this evening members of the Catholic Worker Movement have gathered outside to celebrate a liturgy to commemorate all of the Iraqi dead after the Anglo American invasion. The liturgy will take place some time after 5.45 pm and all are welcome to join them. From the city you can get the 37 bus to the Phoenix Park.

by Slarti Tue May 06, 2003 20:02

I don't know what SF were planning - the post above seems to indicate they'd be there about 3:50. We arrived about 3:30 just as the one car load of SF were leaving, having FINISHED their protest because he'd gone inside. We wandered around a bit then had a bit of a vigil by the entrance while we waited for him to come out. Shortly after 6pm he did to be greated (briefly, as his notorcade swept past) by pictures of iraqi victims of US/UK imperialism and assorted anti-war banners and placards.

"We" was 7 of us! That was it. As far as I'm concerned the IAWM leadership should resign now. All of them. Their strongest base is Dublin and they didn't manage to get a single person out there when one of the chief warmongers came to town. I know it was short notice but really! The rest of the anti-war movement should be equally ashamed of themselves

by John Tue May 06, 2003 21:25

You moralist. You could only mobilise 7? What about the demos you were never on? How many posters did you put up, phone calls made etc?
Exactly - such an attitude gets nowhere.

by nevermind the eggs, have a semtex snowball Tue May 06, 2003 22:01

Totalitarian tinpot toff Tony thinks he can act the brit overlord, swan about and hold his smarmy, smug gob high here in Ireland, whilst his NF/BNP nazi goon foot soldiers egg George Galloway. Two can play at that game totalitarian tinpot tony, something tells me, theres a bucketful of fertiliser engraved with Totalitarian tonys name on it.

by Slow on the uptake aren't you Wed May 07, 2003 10:08

Don't you get it? The Irish anti war movement - no matter what faction - has never been about being anti war, it's just been anti American. That's why the protests when Bush or any American shows his face and the head in the sand when Blair and the Brits come to town. Wouldn't want to upset the Brits now, we would we.

by Janus Wed May 07, 2003 11:31

I was at the Shinner protest yesterday and there was a lot more than 'a car load' though I was a little disappointed with turnout. I estimate there was about 30-35 people there, certainly no more than that, and TD Aengus O'Snodaigh. I don't think anyone planned on standing around there after Blair had gone in to wait for three hours for him to come back out again, certainly I didn't. Fair play to you for doing what you did.

by cleo sugar Wed May 07, 2003 14:01

I have been consistent in my criticism of Bush/blair and other nazis. Unfortunately if we mount a rigorous protest against totalitarian tony in northern ireland, we are liable to find ourselves on an RUC special branch hitlist. With our details mysteriously finding their way into Billy wright/MI5 agent's henchman Robin kings' sweaty murdering neo nazi LVF palms. look what happened to journalist Marty O Hagan.

by I know who Magneto is Fri May 09, 2003 12:26

I wonder if Paul Dillon was greeting his comrade Tony Blair? All that good work with Iraq and the Firefighters, Labour- standing up for the working man!

by Brian Cahill - SP Wed Jun 18, 2003 17:49

Just to make it clear, the comments above are from somebody impersonating me. I didn't write them.