Cork anti-war activists before the courts yesterday

cork | anti-war / imperialism | news report

Tuesday July 15, 2003 21:26

by Cork Anti-War Campaign

Two members of the Cork Anti-War Campaign were up before Cork District Court yesterday in relation to a collection on an anti-war demonstration in the city on 22nd March.

At that demonstration, attended by more than 4,000 people, Gardai seized E1,054 which had been collected from among those protesting. It was generally felt at the time that this was in revenge for that morning's occupation by anti-war activists of Fianna Fail headquarters in the city. During the occupation Minister Michael Martin's office was invaded and, following a heated verbal exchange, he abandoned the building. Another factor leading to the seizure of funds may have been the spontaneous march held two days before, which ended in a mass sit-down covering Patrick's Bridge, the main bridge in the city. This demonstration (on 20th March - Day X) arose from a 4-500 strong vigil on Daunt Square at 6pm. As the protesters moved off the square and began marching up Patrick Street, the Garda in charge engaged in a heated exchange with Fintan Lane of CAWC, informing him that CAWC would "never be allowed to march in Cork again". In fact, anti-war protesters returned to the streets two days later in their thousands and, following a march through the city centre, staged a mass sit-down that covered and blocked off the entire length of Patrick Street for more than 20 minutes. The march then moved up to Daunt Square where protesters similarly blocked the road as a rally proceeded. It was during this march that the money was seized.

The outcome of yesterday's court case was welcomed as a victory by local anti-war activists. The judge effectively dismissed the charges (no convictions and no fines) and he agreed to the CAWC request that the money be donated to UNICEF Ireland. This brings the total donated by CAWC to UNICEF Ireland in the past few months to more than E3,500.

Following the outcome of yesterday's case, it is unlikely that the Gardai will proceed against others whose names were taken on the day. The original action was clearly driven by sheer bad-mindedness.