Wexford politician follows James McClean's lead by refusing to wear poppy – ‘Let's not use such powerful military symbolism'
While footballer James McClean has frequently incurred the wrath of match-going fans in the UK for his refusal to wear the remembrance poppy during games, a Wexford politician has been met with a more measured reaction for his refusal to do the same.
As the cathaoirleach of the Rosslare Municipal District (RMD) Aontú councillor Jim Codd was recently invited to meet with his peers in Fishguard, Wales, to discuss the ongoing partnership between the regions. However, with those across the channel marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War 2, Cllr Codd found himself in a somewhat difficult position upon his arrival at the Welsh port.
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The Irish Sun
8 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Irish woman facing deportation after being arrested by Israeli police in Palestine as son tells of his pride
AN IRISH woman has been detained by Israel in the West Bank, according to an activist group. Deirdre 'D' Murphy, 70, was arrested by Advertisement 2 Israeli security forces block the entrance to the village of al-Tuwani in the Masafer Yatta area in Occupied West Bank on June 2, 2025 Credit: AFP Originally from Douglas in After Israeli soldiers ordered the activists to leave, the female activists were reportedly stopped while leaving the village by Israeli settlers serving as reservists with the military. The Israeli police were called and subsequently detained Murphy and Björk for being in a closed military zone. According to the International Solidarity Movement, Björk is now due to be deported while Murphy is fighting a deportation order while detained at Ben Gurion Advertisement Read more in News Murphy is a founding member of Swansea Palestine Community Link and was previously detained in Israel in 2011 when she travelled to the Jewish state with the Welsh pro-Palestine group. The 120-person community at Khalet al-Daba'a is one of a dozen Palestinian hamlets in Masafer Yatta located inside an area which the Israeli authorities designated as a military firing zone in the 1980s. After a long legal battle, Israel's Supreme Court approved the eviction of 1,000 residents from the villages in the occupied West Bank in 2022. Amnesty International says ongoing settler attacks and demolitions place communities in Masafer Yatta at risk of forcible transfer. Advertisement Most read in Irish News International law prohibits both the expropriation of occupied land for purposes that do not benefit the people living there, and their forcible transfer. Murphy's son, Dale Ryan, said: 'As far as I can see her only Israeli military says it began extensive ground operations in northern and southern Gaza 'D has always had a strong sense of justice and I know she could not sit at home while she knew her friends in Masafer Yatta and all of Palestine were suffering unnecessarily. 'I am very proud of my mother for sticking up for the basic human rights of her friends and trying to raise awareness of the injustices the Palestinian people are experiencing.' Advertisement The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed it is aware of the case and is providing consular assistance. In 2024, the far-right Israeli security minister Itamar Ben Gvir established a special task force within Israel's West Bank police unit to target left-wing activists in the West Bank including foreign nationals and supporters of the Boycott, Sanctions and Divestment (BDS) movement. According to the Israeli outlet Haaretz, at least 16 foreign activists working with Palestinians in the West Bank have been detained and deported from Israel since October 2023. Activists often accompany Palestinian shepherds and farmers who are at risk of forced displacement, as well as violence from the IDF and local settlers while they work. Advertisement In 2024, the 2 Deirdre 'D' Murphy, 70, was arrested by Israeli police on Saturday in Masafer Yatta in the occupied region
Irish Times
2 days ago
- Irish Times
Truck driver (23) charged with smuggling two men through Rosslare port
A 23-year-old Romanian truck driver has been remanded in custody charged with smuggling two men through Rosslare Europort. Roberto Nickitean, described as a Romanian national, appeared before Judge John O'Leary at a special sitting of Wexford District Court on Saturday evening. Det Garda Stephen Burke, of Wexford Garda station, said he charged the accused. It is alleged Mr Nickitean intentionally assisted entry into, transit across or presence in the State at Rosslare Europort on May 30th. The charge alleges a breach of section 5 of the Immigration Act 2004 and contravention of section 6(1) of the Criminal Justice (Smuggling of Persons) Act 2021. Det Garda Burke told the court the accused made no reply when the charge was put to him. READ MORE Defence counsel Ross Pratt-O'Brien, instructed by solicitor Maria Murphy, made no application for bail on Saturday. Such an application would be made next Tuesday, he said. Judge O'Leary remanded the accused in custody to appear before Wexford District Court at 10.30am on Tuesday for a bail application. The accused was granted free legal aid and an interpreter. The truck driver was arrested in Wexford after gardaí and customs officials found two men hiding in a truck at Rosslare Europort on Friday morning. The discovery was made during an immigration check. The two men were assessed by medical staff.
Irish Times
3 days ago
- Irish Times
People smuggling investigation under way after two men discovered in truck at Rosslare Europort
A truck driver was arrested at Rosslare Europort early on Friday morning after two people were discovered hiding in his vehicle as he attempted to enter the country. Gardaí in the Wexford/Wicklow Division have launched a people smuggling investigation following the discovery of the two men, who are currently being assessed by medical personnel. They were found in the truck during a customs check that was being conducted by gardaí along with officials from Customs and Revenue. The driver, man in his 20s, was arrested for an alleged offence under the Section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Smuggling of Persons) Act, 2021. READ MORE He is currently being detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a Garda station in the area. Gardaí attached to Wexford Garda Station, supported by the Garda National Immigration Bureau, are investigating all of the circumstances of this incident. Anyone with any information in relation to this discovery is asked to contact Wexford Garda Station 053 9165200, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 66 11 or any Garda Station.
