First FF resignation over Shannon - just as Baghdad is reduced to rubble
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news report 
Wednesday April 09, 2003 16:46
by Paul O'Donnell
RTE is reporting that a Fianna Fail councillor in Donegal has resigned from the party in protest at US military use of Shannon. He does so 19 months after Bertie gave the go-ahead for refuelling and overflights and just as Baghdad is reduced to rubble
Here's the RTE story....
A Fianna Fáil Councillor has resigned from the party over continued US military use of Shannon Airport.
Cllr Patrick Danagher, Vice Chairperson of Ballyshannon Town Council, had the party whip removed from him last March after he was convicted for possession of cannabis.
But he has said that was not the reason for his resignation.
Mr Danagher said his cannabis conviction was a personal matter, not a political one.
'The use of Shannon is the straw that broke the camel's back regarding my membership of Fianna Fáil', he said.
'We've seen the removal of the first time buyers' grants, the back to education allowance has been cut and now we have our Government's stance on the war, about which I'm outraged.
'Fianna Fáil has broken a lot of promises since the last election,' he said, 'and we have to show the Government we're not prepared to tolerate this.'
He said, 'It's a complete disgrace that this Government is sitting on the fence on the war issue.
'This is an Anglo-American invasion of Iraq. It's not that I'm pro Saddam Hussein but war will only inflict more misery on the people of Iraq.'
Comments (11 of 11)
Jump To Comment: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11Danagher's cheap stunt will mean he'll never be elected to public office. We don't want drug dealers in our great party.
Bagdad has fallen, people are draging Saddam's head through the streets.... Danagher's resigination was for nothing.
Other members of FF are privately also "outraged" by the government's stance on the war I'm told, but haven't done a damn thing about it. Patrick Danagher's gesture should be welcomed!
Same as the two British soldiers of the 16 Air Assault Brigade who refused to take part in the aggression once they arrived in Iraq and couldn't deny any longer what they were being ordered to partake in.
You and I were never trained as fighter pilots or Fianna Fail cronies. During a time of war like this, to make the journey from environmentalist-student to peace campaigner was a no-brainer for me. Any pressure I've felt has been telling me "resist, resist, resist!". Meanwhile soldiers and government politicians have been harassed by their pay-masters to "conform, conform, conform!" and go-along-with-the-big-boys.
I dunno this particular politician from Adam. But I think its never too late for these people to grow a spine. :-)
The drug dealing councillor has asked to join Sinn Fein. Will they cap'm or have'm??
You would have the people of Iraq live under Saddam, how do you know what's right for them typical middle class hash smoking scum.
In 3 months we'll all see a better Iraq, a Free Iraq, 1124 people died in the liberation - Saddam killed over 5,000,000 during his time. The US did the Iraqi people, the UN and the world a favor.
I feel for the Russian, French & Germans who have lost their oil futures.
The only party I know of that "trains /brain washes" their members is Sinn Fein.
Fianna Fáil develops policy from discussion and debate. Not the crap we see in the SWP, Sinn Fein Labour etc where a few "smarties" tell everyone else what to believe.
I sold him the gear....
It is a pity He has to resign to make his point concerning the use of Shannon Airport...
He just got a 'dope' profile in the Slate and I can't see FF liking that so I reckon he decided that it was a better move to resign over a matter of principle rather than get the boot for pot. The timing says it all.
Well it is a enjoyable welcome to read all your articulated comments, especially those of Fianna fail members, to put the record straight, i do not deal dugs or never have, i also never requested to become a member of SF, Now how many people has died in Iraq ! mmmmm
I was in the unfortunate position to be caught with .07 grams of cannabis. What a criminal! If all the professionals, guards, army, FF member elected, and not elected, were searched or blood tested in a signal day the Irish country would come to a direct halt. FACT. The reason for my resignation from the party still stands today and i still believe it was the correct course of action.
Patrick Danagher
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