Latest news with #IrishFreedomParty
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Irish Examiner view: Free speech does not equal a right to intimidate
Readers may be aware that there was a large gathering organised by anti-immigration campaigners in Cork over the weekend, involving several prominent far-right agitators including former Ireland First leader Derek Blighe and Hermann Kelly of the Irish Freedom Party. Soon after the march, another former member of the Irish Freedom Party, South Dublin county councillor Glen Moore, claimed on social media that some people who had attended the gathering were asked to leave a pub on Coburg Street, Sin É, and that they had been discriminated against for their political beliefs. Mr Moore's post has led to threats being made against the pub and its owners. Benny McCabe, who owns the pub, has responded in these pages to these claims. He pointed out that his staff have been abused in the past by people wearing far-right paraphernalia and stressed that customers are free to wear what they wanted as long as they do not misbehave. It should be pointed out that alongside the threats being made online against Mr McCabe's pub there are also calls for solidarity and support. There is a desperation inherent in posts like Mr Moore's, keen as they are in trying to manufacture some form of controversy, but that is hardly surprising. In Ireland, there is a small minority seeking to control narratives by turning basic concepts on their head: For them, 'patriotism' means posting for clicks, 'advocacy' means aggression, and 'protest' doubles as provocation. The basic concept of peaceful protest is a cornerstone of every democracy: People are entitled to register in public their approval or disapproval of issues which concern them. It is a fundamental right. But with rights come responsibilities. Mr McCabe was right to describe the atmosphere in Cork last weekend as one of 'low to moderate intimidation'. Public assembly is not a licence to intimidate or abuse, to imitate the Nazi salute, or to try to provoke others. Or to threaten local businesses which have been at the heart of their communities for years. Cost rationale does not add up The recent case in which Richard Satchwell was convicted of murdering his wife Tina has led to some discussion of how gardaí handled the case. Mr Satchwell buried his wife's body in their home in Youghal in 2017, but it took six and a half years for the remains to be found, leading to questions as to why that discovery was not made sooner. The use of cadaver dogs, which are trained to find bodies, has become one of the key topics in this discussion. Justice minister Jim O'Callaghan has said it would be 'preferable' if the gardaí had a cadaver dog, but said that was a decision for Garda Commissioner Drew Harris. Mr Harris was not as enthusiastic about the idea when asked about it recently, pointing out that such animals take a lot of training and often have a relatively brief working life. He added that a cadaver dog has been used just three times in his seven years as garda chief. This argument, persuasive as it appears, would probably have carried more weight if it had not been made at the same that new water cannons, which will be used by gardaí, were unveiled. Mr Harris said that the water cannons, which can be used to help quell violent disorder on the streets, would only be used in exceptional circumstances. It is to be hoped that they will not have to be used at all, of course, but the principle of having them on standby just in case is a sound one. However, the water cannons cost approximately €1.5m — which rather dwarfs the cost of training and maintaining a single cadaver dog. Maintaining public order is a key responsibility for gardaí, and any equipment which helps them to meet that responsibility is welcome. Nonetheless, it seems counter-intuitive to acknowledge that an asset which cost €1.5m will only be used in exceptional circumstances while taking pains to describe a single dog as a specialised resource which is not working every day. Surely the peace of mind which could be afforded to families if their loved ones are discovered in a timely fashion, which did not happen in Tina Satchwell's case, is worth considering when weighing the costs involved. If the funds can be found for water cannons, then the funds can be found to train, feed, and house a single dog. Brian Wilson: Sound of the 60s Brian Wilson, The Beach Boys musician, songwriter, and creative force, died this week. He was 82. In an Instagram post yesterday, his family wrote: 'We are heartbroken to announce that our beloved father Brian Wilson has passed away. We are at a loss for words right now.' Their loss will be shared by millions. Wilson helped to create some of the most sublime pop music of all time, starting with The Beach Boys's trademark songs about beach life and girls in the early 1960s, and culminating in the album Pet Sounds in 1966, often cited as one of the greatest of all time. His life was not always easy. He spent time in psychiatric hospitals during the late 1960s, and was eventually diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and mild manic depression, while he also struggled with alcoholism and spent years embroiled in legal battles with family members and bandmates. That hardly matters now: Wilson's songs are immortal. 'I can hear music,' he once sang. He certainly could. Read More
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Cork publican says staff threatened after claims nationalist rally protesters were asked to leave pub
A prominent Cork publican has spoken of disgust after some of his staff and his business were threatened online following claims from a far-right politician attendees at a nationalist rally in the city were asked to leave one of his pubs. Benny McCabe, who runs a brewery and over a dozen pubs in the city centre, said he was absolutely shocked by some of the threats made in response to the post on a social media account of former Irish Freedom Party and now independent South Dublin county councillor, Glen Moore. 'In all my years as a publican, indeed as a citizen of Ireland, I've never seen such carry-on,' Mr McCabe said. 'If this is where politics is going and if elected representatives feel this is OK, then this is really the canary in the coal mine for all moderate people.' A post on Mr Moore's X account claimed four people, including one of his family members, who had attended the nationalist rally in Cork on Saturday, were asked to leave Mr McCabe's Sin É pub on Coburg St afterwards. He claimed the group, one of whom was wearing a Make Ireland Great Again (Miga) hat, were called racist. He claimed the bar had 'discriminated against Irish people for their political beliefs', and that puts the venue at risk of a civil lawsuit. The post, which has been viewed some 418,000 times, prompted hundreds of comments, including threats and calls for a boycott, but also comments pledging support for the venue and promising to call in for a pint. Mr McCabe said he issued clear instructions to staff ahead of Saturday's march that everyone was welcome in his bars, that no one would be refused for carrying the Irish flag but that if anyone misbehaved, they would be asked to leave. He said he had been criticised before by people on the far left and by the gay community for calling out bad behaviour, but he said he had never seen a reaction like that in response to Mr Moore's post. Sin É does not care who you are 'once you behave and wear shoes', he said. But he said comments from public representatives on the far left or from the gay community had never led to threats on social media to burn a person's business out or to intimidate staff. He said some of his staff had previously been subjected to "vile racist abuse" by people wearing Maga or Miga hats. Dozens of uniformed gardaí, backed up by dozens of members of the Garda Public Order Unit, and members of the Garda Mounted Unit were on duty on the Grand Parade in Cork during the rally. Thousands gathered in one area for a Munster-wide pro-Palestine march, and nearby for what was billed as a "national protest for Ireland", organised by anti-immigration campaigners. Several prominent far-right agitators were involved in that event, including former Ireland First leader Derek Blighe. Mr McCabe said he watched Saturday's march and said he sensed 'low to moderate intimidation' in the city, that he saw some people make Nazi salutes, heard chants of 'fuck Palestine', and heard abuse being hurled at foreigners, and some of those who had marched were recording people on their phones to prompt a reaction. Many who attended with tricolours were disgusted with what they saw, he said. 'They have honestly held beliefs about housing and uncontrolled migration, but they were disgusted by some of the behaviour,' he said. 'We all want the same things — law and order, housing, and an end to unregulated migration. 'The 'patriots' seem to think they have a righteous monopoly on this but all we saw was a minority spewing hate and elected officials behaving without decorum. 'I was raised a republican both in the Irish and European context. I do not believe in narrow interest groups. I'm very sad to see this. 'I grew up in that pub and was lucky to be able to buy it many years ago, It's been run in the same way my parents taught me — all are equal. 'Sin É will remain a haven for tolerance. The weak will be defended and the intolerant will be called out.'
Sunday World
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Sunday World
Irish Freedom Party election candidate spared jail after threatening Garda Sergeant
Activist Paul Fitzsimons (56) from Grange Road, Baldoyle, was also charged with unlawful possession of a knife as a weapon An unsuccessful general election candidate has been spared jail and a criminal conviction for becoming "irate" and threatening a Garda sergeant after addressing a rally in Dublin last year. Irish Freedom Party activist Paul Fitzsimons, 56, from Grange Road, Baldoyle, was charged with unlawful possession of a knife as a weapon, failing to comply with garda directions and engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour in an incident at Talbot Street in the city centre on February 5, 2024. The podcaster and IT consultant pleaded not guilty at Dublin District Court. Having reviewed the evidence, Judge Patricia Cronin gave him the benefit of the doubt and dismissed the knife charge today after noting the reason he had it was to cut down posters. Defence solicitor Lorraine Stephens pleaded for leniency for the father-of-three, stressing he had not come to negative attention since and his community work. On the day, he had expressed frustration at being told to move on, which was generally a direction given to young people, she submitted. However, Judge Cronin found him guilty of the two Public Order Act charges. Noting his last prior conviction was in 2003 for a motoring offence, Judge Cronin held that she could treat him like a first-time offender, and she applied the Probation of Offenders Act. In evidence, former taxi driver Fitzsimons said he was part of a rally that marched from the Garden of Remembrance along O'Connell Street to the Custom House, where he addressed a massive crowd. He said he told other marchers to keep moving in response to being confronted by counter-demonstrators. Paul Fitzsimons pictured leaving the Criminal Courts of Justice (CCJ) on Parkgate Street in Dublin after he appeared before the Court. pic: The court heard that hundreds of gardaí were in the area acting as a "buffer between the two factions'. He said he was taking down posters after the gathering, so he had the pen knife or lock knife with two blades, one of which was retractable like a Stanley blade. He bought it in a Woodies store and only had it for cutting cable ties to hang posters. Otherwise, it was kept in a zipped pocket, he testified. Afterwards, he was making his way to his car and stopped at Talbot Street, where gardaí, including a superintendent, were present. An opposing group had passed through there about 15 minutes before he arrived. He said Sergeant Jones appeared over his shoulder and told him to leave, citing section eight of the Public Order Act. The accused admitted cursing and claimed the garda punched him three times in the back before arresting him. He testified that he had been complying with the caution to leave and was walking away irate at being "singled out" from other people at the scene. Fitzsimons agreed with his solicitor that he thought the garda sergeant was interfering with his right to protest. He admitted he told the garda sergeant to f**k off five times but denied being threatening or that there could have been a flare-up. However, when cross-examined, he apologised for cursing. It was put to him that he could have used wire snips to cut cables, but he said that he had kept the knife in his bag and "I would not take it out against anyone." The sergeant refuted the claim that he punched the accused and said he had escorted him onto the footpath. He also pointed out Mr Fitzsimons did not mention being punched in his "commentary" in the video evidence recorded on his phone. Accused of being threatening by telling the sergeant, "Take off your uniform", the accused agreed he made that remark but said it was after the officer had told him that he could handle himself. Following his arrest, he was taken to Mountjoy Garda Station, where the knife was found on him.
BreakingNews.ie
29-04-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Election candidate avoids jail after threatening Garda Sergeant at Dublin rally
An unsuccessful general election candidate has been spared jail and a criminal conviction for becoming "irate" and threatening a Garda sergeant after addressing a rally in Dublin last year. Irish Freedom Party activist Paul Fitzsimons, 56, from Grange Road, Baldoyle, was charged with unlawful possession of a knife as a weapon, failing to comply with garda directions and engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour in an incident at Talbot Street in the city centre on February 5th last year. Advertisement The podcaster and IT consultant pleaded not guilty at Dublin District Court. Having reviewed the evidence, Judge Patricia Cronin gave him the benefit of the doubt and dismissed the knife charge on Tuesday after noting the reason he had it was to cut down posters. Defence solicitor Lorraine Stephens pleaded for leniency for the father-of-three, stressing he had not come to negative attention since and his community work. On the day, he had expressed frustration at being told to move on, which was generally a direction given to young people, she submitted. However, Judge Cronin found him guilty of the two Public Order Act charges. Advertisement Noting his last prior conviction was in 2003 for a motoring offence, Judge Cronin held that she could treat him like a first-time offender, and she applied the Probation of Offenders Act. Evidence In evidence, former taxi driver Fitzsimons said he was part of a rally that marched from the Garden of Remembrance along O'Connell Street to the Custom House, where he addressed a massive crowd. He said he told other marchers to keep moving in response to being confronted by counter-demonstrators. The court heard that hundreds of gardaí were in the area acting as a "buffer between the two factions. Advertisement He said he was taking down posters after the gathering, so he had the pen knife or lock knife with two blades, one of which was retractable like a Stanley blade. He bought it in a Woodies store and only had it for cutting cable ties to hang posters. Otherwise, it was kept in a zipped pocket, he testified. Afterwards, he was making his way to his car and stopped at Talbot Street, where gardaí, including a superintendent, were present, An opposing group had passed through there about 15 minutes before he arrived. Advertisement He said Sergeant Jones appeared over his shoulder and told him to leave, citing section eight of the Public Order Act. The accused admitted to cursing and claimed the garda punched him three times in the back before arresting him. He testified that he had been complying with the caution to leave and was walking away, irate at being "singled out" from other people at the scene. Fitzsimons agreed with his solicitor that he thought the garda sergeant was interfering with his right to protest. He admitted he told the garda sergeant to fuck off five times but denied being threatening or that there could have been a flare-up. However, when cross-examined, he apologised for cursing. Advertisement It was put to him that he could have used wire snips to cut cables, but he said that he had kept the knife in his bag and "I would not take it out against anyone". The sergeant refuted the claim that he punched the accused and said he had escorted him onto the footpath. He also pointed out Mr Fitzsimons did not mention being punched in his "commentary" in the video evidence recorded on his phone. Accused of being threatening by telling the sergeant, "Take off your uniform", the accused agreed he made that remark but said it was after the officer had told him that he could handle himself. Following his arrest, he was taken to Mountjoy Garda Station, where the knife was found on him..
The Journal
29-04-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Failed election candidate avoids jail after threatening Garda Sergeant at Dublin rally
AN UNSUCCESSFUL GENERAL election candidate has been spared jail and a criminal conviction for becoming 'irate' and threatening a Garda sergeant after addressing a rally in Dublin last year. Irish Freedom Party activist Paul Fitzsimons, 56, from Grange Road, Baldoyle, was charged with unlawful possession of a knife as a weapon, failing to comply with garda directions and engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour in an incident at Talbot Street in the city centre on February 5 last year. The podcaster and IT consultant pleaded not guilty at Dublin District Court. Having reviewed the evidence, Judge Patricia Cronin gave him the benefit of the doubt and dismissed the knife charge today after noting the reason he had it was to cut down posters. Defence solicitor Lorraine Stephens pleaded for leniency for the father-of-three, stressing he had not come to negative attention since and his community work. On the day, he had expressed frustration at being told to move on, which was generally a direction given to young people, she submitted. However, Judge Cronin found him guilty of the two Public Order Act charges. Noting his last prior conviction was in 2003 for a motoring offence, Judge Cronin held that she could treat him like a first-time offender, and she applied the Probation of Offenders Act. In evidence, former taxi driver Fitzsimons said he was part of a rally that marched from the Garden of Remembrance along O'Connell Street to the Custom House, where he addressed a massive crowd. He said he told other marchers to keep moving in response to being confronted by counter-demonstrators. The court heard that hundreds of gardaí were in the area acting as a 'buffer between the two factions. Advertisement He said he was taking down posters after the gathering, so he had the pen knife or lock knife with two blades, one of which was retractable like a Stanley blade. He bought it in a Woodies store and only had it for cutting cable ties to hang posters. Otherwise, it was kept in a zipped pocket, he testified. Afterwards, he was making his way to his car and stopped at Talbot Street, where gardai, including a superintendent, were present, An opposing group had passed through there about 15 minutes before he arrived. He said Sergeant Jones appeared over his shoulder and told him to leave, citing section eight of the Public Order Act. The accused admitted cursing and claimed the garda punched him three times in the back before arresting him. He testified that he had been complying with the caution to leave and was walking away irate at being 'singled out' from other people at the scene. Fitzsimons agreed with his solicitor that he thought the garda sergeant was interfering with his right to protest. He admitted he told the garda sergeant to fuck off five times but denied being threatening or that there could have been a flare-up. However, when cross-examined, he apologised for cursing. It was put to him that he could have used wire snips to cut cables, but he said that he had kept the knife in his bag and 'I would not take it out against anyone.' The sergeant refuted the claim that he punched the accused and said he had escorted him onto the footpath. He also pointed out Mr Fitzsimons did not mention being punched in his 'commentary' in the video evidence recorded on his phone. Accused of being threatening by telling the sergeant, 'Take off your uniform', the accused agreed he made that remark but said it was after the officer had told him that he could handle himself. Following his arrest, he was taken to Mountjoy Garda Station, where the knife was found on him.
