Fitzsimons removed from RTÉ studios prior to election debate

Mark Fitzsimons

Dundalk-based local and European election candidate Mark Fitzsimons caused something of a stir at RTÉ studios at the weekend after claims he was physically removed from Montrose after demanding to take part in a special election debate.

Gardaí were called to the Donnybrook-based studios in Dublin over the matter after Mark – who is visually impaired – staged a protest in order to be allowed to take part in the show.

Fitzsimons says that RTÉ staff attempted to physically remove him from the studio as he demanded to be allowed participate in the main Midlands-North-West debate.

Mr Fitzsimons staged the protest in the studio just minutes before the show went on air.

He sat down on the studio floor before he and his carer were removed by security guards.

Mark told The Irish Daily Mirror: “They tried to remove us, and myself and my carer stood our ground.

“They tried to put their arms around us and move us on, and I said: ‘No, I am here to protest.”

“They kind of put their arms around us to forcibly remove us, and when they did that I just sat down on the floor.”

RTÉ bosses decided to call gardaí and Mr Fitzsimons eventually agreed to leave the studio, although he later returned to take part in the second part of the programme

An RTÉ spokeswoman said: “There was a minor incident in studio last night ahead of the debate section of the Prime Time programme.

“Mr Fitzsimons and his guest looked to make a protest and were asked to leave the studio area.

“Mr Fitzsimons later appeared on the programme and had the opportunity to voice his views and take part in the debate.”

Water metering protests coming to Dundalk

With water metering set to commence in Dundalk in the next few weeks, a group of locals are trying to organise a protest fighting back against the introduction of water charges.

A new group – Louth water metering lets fight back – has been set up on Facebook and has attracted around 350 followers to date.

They are appealing for people to get involved with helping to stop meters being installed in the area and anyone interested is asked to contact 087-6350177 to get involved.

Teachers protest against Junior Cert changes

Teachers from De La Salle secondary school in Dundalk protesting at lunchtime. Picture: Sharon Lynch

Teachers from Dundalk and Co Louth were amongst those who held lunchtime protests against the Junior Cycle Framework proposals which will greatly alter the Junior Cert as we currently know it.

Teachers nationwide want Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn to reverse his decision to abolish the Junior Certificate because they feel it is good practice for the Leaving Cert.

Under the current proposals on the table, students would be assessed continually rather than in an exam situation.

ASTI representatives claim that teachers are seriously concerned at the proposals and feel that the education system will suffer.

Mark considering European election bid following huge response to cannabis arrest

Mark Fitzsimons with a quantity of cannabis

A local campaigner who last week handed himself into gardaí with a quantity of herbal cannabis in a protest designed to challenge the law regarding the use of the drug for medicinal purposes is considering putting himself forward for the European Parliament elections in May due to the huge response he has received.

Mark Fitzsimons, who has been completely blind for the last five years, handed himself into local Gardaí on Thursday with enough cannabis for one joint and requested he be charged with possession in order to secure a court appearance. Mark was followed by The Irish Times, who filmed his story.

Mark believes that by being prosecuted for possession he may be able to avail of free legal aid in order to test the legislation. He feels the drug should be legalised for medical purposes and believes he may not have had to have both his eyes removed from glaucoma had he been allowed to take the drug years ago.

The response to his actions has been huge and he is now seeking 60 signatures to mount a European election campaign. Anyone who would like to support Mark in his bid can call him on 087-6350177.

Previously: Dundalk man presents himself to gardaí with cannabis and asks to be charged in order to challenge law

Dundalk Says No group planning peaceful Budget day protest

Mark Fitzsimons has vowed to protest peacefully on Budget Day

Local activists who plan a protest in Dublin to coincide with the Budget on Tuesday October 15^th insist it will be carried out peacefully.

A similar protest against austerity when the Dáil reopened for business last month ended in confrontion.

However, Finbar Markey of the group Dundalk Says No has told the Irish Independent that the people who have come together to form the protests on social media are “people who don’t want extremism, who don’t want violence, but they feel voiceless at the moment.”

Eibhlin Ni Riain of the same local group said that the last protest was a different experience than others as Gardaí seemed “stressed and aggressive”.

Mark Fitzsimons, also of Dundalk Says No, said the previous trouble was caused by around 20 people, when there were 500 or 600 in attendance.

Mark said he and two others were pepper-sprayed the last time, with one of them suffering a fit.

He insists he will be marching again on October 15^th though, saying: “We will march, but we will never raise our hand, and if batons are raised to us, they can beat us, but we will march forward, because that is what you do.”

Source: Activists promise peaceful Budget Day protest (Independent.ie)

Protest march in Dundalk this Saturday

A protest march against austerity will take place in Dundalk this Saturday from 1pm.

The gathering will meet at the Fair Green before marching up Clanbrassil Street to the Market Square.

Everyone is invited to attend the event on the day to let their feelings be known about the current state of the economy and the performance of the government.

Home support workers plan protest in Market Square this Friday

Home support workers will be protesting in Dundalk on Friday, meeting at the Market Square in Dundalk and marching to HSE offices on Market Street.

The workers will gather at 3pm and welcome any and all support.

Dundalk students turn their back on the Taoiseach

Dundalk IT students protested against cuts today by turning their back on Taoiseach Enda Kenny on his visit to the institute.

The Taoiseach took the snub fairly well though by laughing it off.

Earlier he had avoided a protest against the property tax at the Ballymascanlon Hotel by using another entrance to avoid those gathered at the main gate.

Source: That Seemed To Go Well (Broadsheet.ie)

The best pictures of today’s protests…

We’ve to credit Niamh Kirk for these two superb pictures from today’s protest at the Ballymascanlon Hotel of Enda Kenny’s visit.

Needless to say, the pictures speak for themselves.

Previously: Protest not the Enda the world

Source: Niamh Kirk (Twitter)

There may be trouble ahead

Protesters campaign against Joan Burton’s visit to Dundalk in February

Taoiseach Enda Kenny will travel to Dundalk on Thursday but he may not feel very welcome with at least two protests planned to coincide with his visit.

The Dundalk Campaign Against Property Taxes and Austerity (DCAPTA) will be busing people out to the Ballymascanlon Hotel for 10.30am with just under 100 people having confirmed that they will be attending so far on Facebook.

DCAPTA were the group responsible for running Social Protection Minister Joan Burton out of Dundalk in February and they are hoping for a similar result this time around, telling The Dundalk Democrat: ““We hope that this event will be as successful as the last and hope Enda will beat Minister for Social Protection Burton’s world record for leaving Dundalk in a hurry.”

Meanwhile, Dundalk IT Students’ Union will also hold a protest against the government’s decision to cut the income threshold for the maintenance grant by 3% when the Taoiseach visits the college.

See below a video from the Marshes Shopping Centre when DCAPTA protested to Joan Burton in February

Source: Group plan to sting Kenny visit (The Dundalk Democrat)