Anti-Plastic Bullets Motion Passed by Dublin Council

national | rights, freedoms and repression | press release

Tuesday September 08, 2009 13:09

by PRO - éirígí

press at eirigi dot org

éirígí chairperson Brian Leeson today [Tuesday] welcomed the decision of Ireland’s largest council to adopt a historic motion calling for the banning of the use of plastic bullets in the Six Counties.

Councillor Louise Minihan with one of the leathal bullets

The motion, which was proposed by éirígí activist councillor Louise Minihan, received the unanimous backing of Dublin City Council last night [Monday]. Such was the support for the motion that no debate or discussion was required
prior to voting.

The motion stated that: “This council notes with deep concern the firing of plastic bullets by the PSNI in Belfast on July 13 and August 31 2009. These lethal weapons have already killed seventeen Irish citizens and injured and maimed countless others. This council calls for the immediate banning of the use of plastic bullets under any circumstances in the Six Counties before they cause further injury or death.”

Having been adopted by Dublin City Council, the motion will now be circulated to all county and city councils in the Twenty-Six Counties, providing each of these councils with the opportunity to follow the lead of Dublin City.

Prior to the council meeting, more than forty éirígí activists and supporters gathered outside City Hall to protest against plastic bullets and lobby councillors to support the motion calling for their banning . Holding ‘Plastic Bullets Kill’ placards, they mingled with those
attending a protest in support of the striking Dublin dockers, who were also holding a protest to coincide with the monthly council meeting.

Speaking after the adoption of the motion, Brian Leeson said “The adoption of this anti-plastic bullets motion marks a significant step in the campaign to have these barbaric weapons banned. All of the councillors that supported this motion are to be commended for rising above petty party politics and seeing the outlawing of plastic bullets for the human rights issue that it is.

“In adopting this motion, Dublin City Council is sending a very clear message to the occupying authorities and their henchmen in the PSNI – that the firing of plastic bullets at Irish citizens is not acceptable. The adoption of this motion also sends a message of solidarity to the people of the Ardoyne, the Short Strand and the rest of the Six Counties. On too many occasions in the past the elected institutions of the Twenty-Six Counties have been silent with regard to the activities of Britain’s forces in the Six Counties. Hopefully last night’s motion marks a change in this pattern.

“As welcome as the Dublin City motion is, plastic bullets will not be banned as a result of council motions alone. It is only through the building of a mass campaign on the streets, in the elected institutions and within society at large that sufficient pressure will be brought to bear on the British government to outlaw these lethal weapons.

Brian concluded “éirígí is encouraging councillors across the Twenty-Six Counties to support this anti-plastic bullets motion when it comes before their respective councils. People across the state should lobby their councillors to do the right thing and back the motion.”
ENDS.

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Comments (9 of 9)

Councillors Back Plastic Bullet Initiative

Tue Sep 08, 2009 13:13

Independent Fermanagh councillor Bernice Swift today backed the passing of an anti-plastic bullet motion by Dublin City Council, while independent Wexford councillor John Dwyer has proposed a similar motion to New Ross Town Council.

éirígí activist councillor Louise Minihan last night succeeded in getting Dublin City Council to pass a motion against the use of plastic bullets in the Six Counties.

This morning, Bernice Swift said: "I commend the initiative and fully support this motion, as the undeniable facts remain, seventeen people, including nine young children have been killed and countless others have been permanently maimed by plastic bullets fired by various state forces. Over the last few months the PSNI have again fired plastic bullets in the Ardoyne and Short Strand areas of Belfast, resulting in more young children suffering horrific injuries.

"This motion is a human rights issue which everyone should support and I very much welcome that it was brought to the arena of Ireland’s elected representatives in Dublin City Council."

John Dwyer's motion, to be put to the September meeting of New Ross Town Council, reads: "This council notes with deep concern the firing of plastic bullets by the PSNI in Belfast on July 13 and August 31 2009. These lethal weapons have already killed seventeen Irish citizens and injured and maimed countless others. This council calls on the Irish government to raise the matter with the First and Deputy First Ministers of the Northern Ireland Assembly with a view to seeking a complete ban on the use of such lethal
weapons in Ireland. If passed, this council also requests that this motion be circulated to all local authorities in Ireland.”

éirígí chairperson Brial Leeson welcomed their support.

"It is clear that there is momentum building in the campaign against plastic bullets," be said.

"It is crucial that this momentum continues to grow - sufficient public pressure must be brought to bear before someone else is killed or seriously injured by these weapons.

"Bernice Swift and John Dwyer are to be commended for getting active on the issue. Hopefully, every council in Ireland will soon call for the banning of plastic bullets."
ENDS.

Brillant News

by Cabra Republican

Tue Sep 08, 2009 13:15

Fair play to eirigi and louise minihan. Any doubts people might have had about her decision to leave SF are now gone. Even the blueshirts, fianna fail and labour deserve a bit of credit for supporting it. Every councillor in the state should be lobbied to support the motion.

Interesting but

by Bart Simpson

Wed Sep 09, 2009 07:04

is this not the same PSNI that Louise Minihan "spoke eloquently in support of" the Shinners backing?
http://mattcarthy.blogspot.com/2009/07/louise-minihan-l....html

Cabra Eirigi Member, speak for your own doubts not mine!

All bets are off

by herrn town - Eireann go Bragh

Wed Sep 09, 2009 11:34

Louise has done the campaign to get these dreaded plastic bullets banned in the O6C a great service.
I also support her on her decision to leave the SF party due to the failure of SF to hold the PSNI to account and for their terrible recent actions in the Ardoyne. Also SFs failure in stopping the use of plastic bullets as listed in the POLICING MOTION. as written below

"We note also the commitment by PSNI Chief Constable Hugh Orde that plastic bullets will not be used for purposes of public order/crowd control and his acknowledgement of the hurt resulting from injuries and death of innocent people including children."

ALL BETS ARE OFF

Plastic Bullets

by Ballyfermot Republican

Wed Sep 09, 2009 13:35

SF have been campaigning against Plastic Bullets since Day 1. Louise actions are no cover for her treachery in depriving the community in Ballyfermot of a SF Councillor. She should hang her head in shame.

Where was SF's motion???

by Celia S

Wed Sep 09, 2009 18:52

Ballyfermot SF'er (yeah right"!!)

How is it that SF never got a motion on plastic bullets passed in DCC?? Quite an ineffective lot don't you think??

Well done Louise

CS

DCC and the Shinner motion

by Fergal

Sat Sep 12, 2009 01:50

"How is it that SF never got a motion on plastic bullets passed in DCC?? Quite an ineffective lot don't you think??"

Not really, If you were less partisan and were able to look at things subjectively, you would realise that the failure to pass the motion in DCC was due to the number of Unionists who voted against it. The same obstacle doesn't exist in Dublin.

Duh??

Sun Sep 13, 2009 20:11

Fergal

I was referring to Dublin City Council

Why is it that SF never pushed a motion on plastic bullets througb Dublin City Council??

Louise Minihan/éirígí seemed to manage it??

CS

Don't need Nah, nah, nah nana!

by Diarmuid - Personal capacity

Tue Sep 15, 2009 19:06

Éirigí are to be commended for getting the motion proposed and DCC for passing it. Do we have to mar this occasion with group sniping?

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Anti-Plastic Bullets Motion Passed by Dublin Council

Comments (9 of 9)