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RTÉ News
2 days ago
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Arrest of woman, 74, at Belfast rally criticised
A 74-year-old woman, who was arrested in Belfast for wearing a T-shirt expressing support for the banned organisation Palestine Action, has been released from police custody. She was detained during an anti-racism rally in the city yesterday. Police said she had been released pending a report to the Public Prosecution Service. Videos posted online showed police officers in Belfast telling the woman she was being detained under anti-terrorism legislation for wearing the T-shirt in support of the organisation. It read: "We are all Palestine Action". In a video an officer is heard telling the woman she is being arrested under Article 13 of the Terrorism Act for "possession of an article namely a sign on a T-shirt that indicates support for Palestine Action." The woman offers passive resistance to her arrest. Several officers then lift, carry and drag her to a waiting police van which is driven off. In a statement the PSNI said: "A 74-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of possession of an article that indicates support for a proscribed organisation in the Linenhall Street area of Belfast on Saturday 9 August has been released pending a report to the public prosecution service." The woman's arrest was criticised by politicians and human rights activists. Northern Ireland Director of Amnesty UK Patrick Corrigan criticised the police, describing the woman's arrest as "outrageous". "Peaceful protest is a basic human right. Many people are justifiably angered by the ongoing genocide in Gaza and are concerned about UK complicity. Under international human rights law, they have every right to voice their concerns. "The individual who joined a Refugees Welcome rally in Belfast was not promoting violence, and it is wholly disproportionate for the PSNI to treat her as a terrorist. "UK terrorism laws pose a serious risk to free expression. Rather than targeting peaceful protesters, the government should be taking swift and decisive measures to end Israel's genocide." Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan said an attempt was being made to criminalise people who chose to stand against the war in Gaza. "The British government's attempts to criminalise the Palestinian solidarity movement, and the subsequent actions of the PSNI in enforcing this draconian legislation, have been disgraceful. "While Keir Starmer continues to enable the ongoing Israeli genocide and starvation of Gazans, he is also moving to silence ordinary, decent people for speaking out." Meanwhile in Derry yesterday, some of those who attended an anti-war protest in the city also flouted the law, displaying posters in support of Palestine Action. They said it was ironic that they could be criminalised for holding a poster, when the international community was failing to prevent a genocide in Gaza. In July, Palestine Action was added to a list of groups banned under UK terror legislation, which also covers Northern Ireland. MPs voted to ban the group after members broke into RAF Brize Norton in England and sprayed a number of military planes with paint. Palestine Action is due to challenge its prohibition in the UK courts in the autumn. Yesterday, in London, police arrested 474 people at a demonstration in support of Palestine Action, which has also carried out protests at firms it links to the Israeli military.
Irish Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Post
MLA condemns 'disgraceful' arrest of woman in Belfast after wearing Palestine Action t-shirt
AN MLA has condemned the arrest of a woman in Belfast, who was detained after wearing a T-shirt in support of Palestine Action. Sinn Féin's Pat Sheehan described the arrest as 'disgraceful', whle Patrick Corrigan, Northern Ireland Director of Amnesty International UK, branded the PSNI's actions 'outrageous'. The arrest, in the Linenhall Street area of the city centre on Saturday, came on the same day that almost 500 people were arrested in London at a protest in support of Palestine Action. The group, which opposes the arms industry and Israel's occupation of Gaza, was proscribed earlier this year after spray-painting a plane at the RAF's Brize Norton base in Oxfordshire. Saturday's arrest in Belfast came during a Refugees Welcome rally, which was being held at the same time as an anti-immigration protest in the city centre. Footage shared online showed a PSNI officer telling the woman that she was being arrested under Article 13 of the Terrorism Act 'for possession of an article, namely a sign or on a T-shirt, that indicates support for Palestine Action'. The woman, whose T-shirt read 'We Are All Palestine Action', was then picked up and put in a police van, as other protesters chanted: "Let her go." The force later confirmed that a 62-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of possession of an article that indicates support for a proscribed organisation. 'Draconian legislation' Following the arrest, Mr Sheehan accused Prime Minister Keir Starmer of trying to silence criticism of Israel. "The British Government's attempts to criminalise the Palestinian solidarity movement, and the subsequent actions of the PSNI in enforcing this draconian legislation, have been disgraceful," he said. "While Keir Starmer continues to enable the ongoing Israeli genocide and starvation of Gazans, he is also moving to silence ordinary, decent people for speaking out. "Just yesterday, Netanyahu announced his intention to seize Gaza City. Yet still, Starmer provides cover for this rogue regime, instead targeting activists for highlighting what should be a universal moral outrage. "Like all previous censorship attempts by the British Government, which is totally out of step with the wider public, this too will fail. "Highlighting the ongoing devastation in Gaza is not a crime. The real crime is Israel's policy of ethnic cleansing and genocide, aided and abetted by the US and Britain." 'Wholly disproportionate' Those words were echoed by Amnesty International's Mr Corrigan, who said terrorism laws pose a risk to peaceful protest. "The arrest of a protester in Belfast today under UK terrorism legislation is outrageous," he said. "Peaceful protest is a basic human right. Many people are justifiably angered by the ongoing genocide in Gaza and are concerned about UK complicity. Under international human rights law, they have every right to voice their concerns. "The individual who joined a Refugees Welcome rally in Belfast was not promoting violence, and it is wholly disproportionate for the PSNI to treat her as a terrorist. "UK terrorism laws pose a serious risk to free expression. Rather than targeting peaceful protesters, the Government should be taking swift and decisive measures to end Israel's genocide." Mr Corrigan added that a man from the anti-immigration protest was detained by police after a missile was thrown at the Refugees Welcome rally. The PSNI confirmed a 43-year-old man had been arrested for disorderly behaviour and two other men were cautioned at the same location on suspicion of possession of an article that indicates support for a proscribed organisation. In London, the Metropolitan Police arrested 474 people at a demonstration in support of Palestine Action. Of those, 466 were detained under the Terrorism Act for support of a proscribed organisation. "The protesters in Parliament Square were not inciting violence and it is entirely disproportionate to the point of absurdity to be treating them as terrorists," said Sacha Deshmukh, Chief Executive of Amnesty International UK. See More: Palestine, Palestine Action
Western Telegraph
3 days ago
- Politics
- Western Telegraph
Woman wearing Palestine Action t-shirt arrested in Belfast
It comes after the British Government in July made expressing support for or being a member of Palestine Action a criminal offence under terrorism legislation. In London, around 365 people were arrested for supporting the banned group after protesters gathered in Parliament Square on Saturday. People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll (Claudia Savage/PA) In Belfast, videos shared online show a woman wearing a Palestine Action t-shirt being told by police officers she was being arrested on suspicion of 'possessing an article, namely a sign or t-shirt, that indicates support for Palestine Action'. Belfast MLA Gerry Carroll condemned police action against pro-Palestine activists. He called on Executive ministers to 'speak up for the right to protest' and dismiss any charges people may face. 'The whole world can see the mass starvation and daily executions carried out by Israel, yet the people being harassed in Belfast are those who stand up for Palestine,' Mr Carroll said. 'On the same day we saw far-right protesters with offensive and provocative signage, including pro-Israel items, the police took it upon themselves to arrest activists for having the temerity to wear items of clothing in solidarity action. 'The British Government implemented a regressive clampdown with their vote to proscribe Palestine Action, without a single vote being cast in the local Assembly.' Sinn Fein MLA for West Belfast Pat Sheehan said the British Government and PSNI's actions were 'disgraceful'. Highlighting the ongoing devastation in Gaza is not a crime. The real crime is Israel's policy of ethnic cleansing and genocide, aided and abetted by the US and Britain Sinn Fein MLA for West Belfast Pat Sheehan 'While Keir Starmer continues to enable the ongoing Israeli genocide and starvation of Gazans, he is also moving to silence ordinary, decent people for speaking out,' he said. 'Just yesterday, (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu announced his intention to seize Gaza City. 'Yet still, Starmer provides cover for this rogue regime, instead targeting activists for highlighting what should be a universal moral outrage. 'Like all previous censorship attempts by the British Government, which is totally out of step with the wider public, this too will fail. 'Highlighting the ongoing devastation in Gaza is not a crime. The real crime is Israel's policy of ethnic cleansing and genocide, aided and abetted by the US and Britain.' The PSNI has been contacted for comment.
Irish Independent
04-08-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
Kerry national school to benefit from special fundraising event devoted to women's wellness
'Her Health, Her Power' has been organised by Gráinne Lenihan, who is raising funds for a pitch upgrade and the development of a community walking track at Raheen National School, where she works as an SNA. Ms Lenihan, who has 20 years of experience in her role, has already raised funds for her school by bravely committing to a charity skydive. Rather than ask the same generous people to donate to the cause again, she dreamed up 'Her Health, Her Power' – billed as a feel-good evening devoted to women's wellness and empowerment. The night will feature talks from women's health & menopause nurse, Triona Casey, weight loss coach, Pat Sheehan, and fitness coach Jennifer McCarthy. Free health checks for attendees will be held at 6pm, before the event kicks off It will also showcase local talent in the wellness space, with display tables by Mary Brosnan, of Fascinators by Frances, Pamela Kelleher, of Woodview Gifts, Rosemary O'Connor of Killarney Organic and Irene Nash, The Nurture Nurse. Each €20 ticket to the event will also include entry into exclusive door prize draws with gifts from Scarlett Boutique, Keane's Jewellers and Killarney Carpet & Furniture Centre. Guests will also be treated to sport prizes throughout the evening and will have the option to sign up and receive 20pc off weight-loss coaching with Pat Sheehan. Organiser Ms Lenihan said that, at her stage of life, she has come to understand that health is our greatest strength. 'It's only with time and experience that we truly appreciate the importance of self-care, education, and prioritising our wellbeing—without the guilt,' she said. Her fundraising event idea has been backed by Raheen NS principal Joan Mullen and the school's Board of Management. 'I'm so grateful to Joan and Eugene Bowler (parents and active members of our Parents Association), principal Joan Mullane, and secretary Michelle Warren for their constant support—truly, I think we're all exhausted from the back-and-forth of messages and calls, but it's been worth every bit of it,' Ms Lenihan said. 'Thank you to everyone who's helped make this happen. I can't wait to see what we can achieve together.' Tickets (€20) for the event are available from Scarlett Killarney, Who's4Shoes, Killarney Avenue Hotel, Frankie's Restaurant Barraduff, or directly from Ms Lenihan.
Belfast Telegraph
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
July bonfires: A sectarian safety risk, or a harmless tradition?
The night before, bonfires will be lit across the country - a tradition that began when fires on hillsides were used to signal William of Orange's march from Carrickfergus to the Battle of the Boyne. But a night of tradition and celebration for some is viewed by others as physically dangerous, and in some cases, undeniably sectarian. The tallest bonfire in Northern Ireland is Craigyhill in Larne – standing at over 200 feet. In the same town, a father of two died in 2022 after falling from a different pyre in the Antiville area. Sinn Fein MLA Pat Sheehan has criticised a 'lack of leadership' from unionist politicians after Belfast City Council voted to remove a south Belfast bonfire over concerns around asbestos and disruption to the electrical supply. Paramilitary sources have warned of sustained disorder if the bonfire is removed. Certain bonfires are also infamous for featuring sectarian slogans and controversial effigies, such as this year's pyre at Moygashel, which features an effigy depicting illegal migrants on a boat. To discuss the heated topic, Olivia Peden is joined by Belfast Telegraph Northern Ireland editor Sam McBride, Loyalist activist Moore Holmes, and the chairman of the Schomberg Ulster Scots society in Kilkeel, Gareth Crozier.
