In the aftermath of the election that cemented their historically poor results of four years ago, Labour leader Brendan Howlin resigned, triggering a leadership race. The race will pit Alan Kelly, the most prominent figure remaining from the 2011-16 cabinet, against Aodhán Ó Ríordáin. read full story / add a comment

The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) has released a report outlining “serious and urgent concerns” regarding the state’s attitude towards the democratic right to protest. After consultations with protest groups from across the country, the ICCL reports “severe misuse” of the Public Order Act by Gardai, in the form of arrests without charge, harassment of protesters and imposing limits on where people can protest, seemingly in order to punish and discourage such action. read full story / add a comment

To help highlight the case of the Jobstown 18 we are republishing an open letter by Irish Writers.

We write as writers concerned with the impact of proposed jury restrictions in the case of the Jobstown 18 on freedom of expression in Ireland. read full story / add a comment

The Irish government's attempt to introduce domestic water charges in Ireland is not going well. In fact, for them it's been a disaster because it's sparked off a huge upsurge in working class self organisation and direct action. Last Saturday 17th Sept, saw thousands of anti-water charges campaigners flooding the streets of Dublin o to again voice their opposition to Irish Water & water charges and as a show of strength for the movement. read full story / add a comment

The Anti Austerity Alliance and People Before Profit are seeking to establish a unified parliamentary group in order to maximise the left vote in the general election and the socialist voice in the next Dail.

PBP and the AAA have notified the Registrar of Political Parties to formally register ‘Anti Austerity Alliance-People Before Profit’ to contest the General Election with the intention of getting enough TDs elected to be an official Dail group/party in its own right. The Registrar has accepted our proposal for a merged Dail party and it is expected to take effect in three weeks after the period of public notification, at which time we will formally hold a press conference with further details. read full story / add a comment

The Anti-Austerity Alliance has today condemned the jailing of anti-water meter protestors at the behest of Denis O’Brien’s company GMC Sierra.

Anti-Austerity Alliance TD Paul Murphy said “The jailing of these protestors and the arrests in Tallaght is an attack on the right of communities to protest against the imposition of austerity measures, in this case the water charge and meters, which are being imposed by the government despite the massive opposition to them. read full story / add a comment

Speaking of this mornings events Joe Higgins TD who has been in the process of visiting the various Garda stations where the public representatives are being held said:

“The arrests of AAA TD Paul Murphy, councillors Kieran Mahon and Mick Murphy and a fourth person who remains to be identified to us as we go to press is a cheap attempt to denigrate and weaken water charges movement as we approach make or break time – bills coming out and need for mass non-payment. read full story / add a comment

It is clear that the governments is seeking to split the anti-water charges campaign by modifying the water charges and publicly attacking any violence surrounding the protests. read full story / add a comment

Teachers from Dublin DEIS schools have welcomed the publication by the Department of Education & Skills and the Educational Research Centre of a report which shows that “…the DEIS programme is having a positive effect on tackling educational disadvantage…” and that “…improvement is taking place in the learning achievements of pupils in DEIS primary schools…”

They have called on the Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairi Quinn, to announce an immediate reversal of all cuts in the light of this report, and have announced that the planned DEIS schools protest will proceed this Thursday in the absence of such a clear announcement. read full story / add a comment

It looks like tomorrow will mark a jump to an unprecedented (in the recent past) level of decentralised protest in Ireland. Some IMCers will be updating the site with any breaking news on the countrywide actions, pickets and white line pickets.

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Overall Indymedia Ireland Archive On Rossport Issue:
http://www.indymedia.ie/mayo

Shell To Sea Campaign Website
http://www.shelltosea.com

Call For Volunteers In Various Dublin Areas here:
http://www.indymedia.ie/newswire.php?story_id=71000

Compiled Rossport 5 VS Statoil Etc. Events Notices
http://www.indymedia.ie/eventcalendar.php?topic=rightsandfreedoms®ion=&language= read full story / add a comment