Pat "the Picket" Allen in Cork Prison after Homeless Protest
cork |
rights, freedoms and repression |
news report 
Tuesday December 18, 2007 16:14
by Fintan Lane - ISN
Pat Allen, known to many as "Pat the Picket" (because of his tireless social justice campaigning), is today sitting in Cork Prison following a protest against homelessness in the city.
Yesterday, Pat held one of his regular protests outside Cork City Hall - this time to condemn the local authorities relative inaction on the issue of the homeless. He highlighted the number of homeless who have died in the past few years.
Dressed as Santa Claus, he was aiming to contrast the goodwill around Christmas time with the distress endured by the city's homeless.
As Pat was protesting, the Gardai intervened and ultimately arrested him for alleged criminal damage. He was later remanded in custody to Cork Prison and is expected to appear in the District Court again on Thursday.
Phone callers to the Prendeville Show on Cork's 96FM voiced their concern this morning about the imprisonment of Pat the Picket, a colourful, popular and much cherished character in the city.
At present, I have no more details, so anybody with updates, please post below. One hopes Pat will be released soon, if it hasn't already happened.
Anybody who is available should also try to get to the District Court on Thursday morning to show solidarity with Pat.
