Tomás Ó Flatharta

John Lyons, am Independent Left Dublin City Councillor representing Artane/Whitehall, is supporting the Le Chéile Ireland for All Solidarity march at Dublin’s Parnell Square on February 18 at 1.30pm. John’ report is below. Irish Left With Ukraine is one of many organisations supporting this anti-racist mobilisation.

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Over recent weeks there have been protests in the area targeting people seeking refuge in Ireland. It has been sad to see and it consequences can be traumatic for those directly targeted and can further disadvantage all our efforts to fight for a better Ireland for all as we can only secure housing for all, a better health service, more community, sports & social funding if we are united, not divided.

This country is extremely wealthy but we have a problem: the political class led by Fine Gael & Fianna Fail care only for the better off & wealthy.

They don’t care about our families, our communities.

All our energies, time and commitment should be focused on fighting for a better Ireland, not hurling abuse at people who have chosen Dublin as their new home.

Below is a Joint Statement from members of the Northside Community Forum which I fully support:

The Northside Community Forum is a network of Local Community Groups that work in Dublin North-East. We collectively develop actions, campaigns and work on issues affecting the community and community-based organisations. 

Following the protests that we have seen over the last weeks in Artane and Coolock, members of this  forum listed below, want to express our solidarity with the communities in Dublin North – East as we condemn the hatred expressed towards people seeking refuge and seeking asylum.  Men, women and children, be they residents or newcomers should not fear for their safety on our streets, or in the places where they stay, their home from home.

We understand that only a small minority of people from our area are taking part, and the abuse is also being stirred up by agitators from outside.

We also understand that many of the issues that people are concerned about rightly relate to the many problems that impact people in our community such as poverty, inequality, homelessness and poor housing, the cost-of-living increases, the impact of drugs and the enduring grief brought about by the Stardust tragedy.        

There are many things that need to be fixed in our society and it can seem like change is not possible at times. However, we do not believe that these problems should be used by some groups to stir up fear and hate. 

At the turn of the last century, over half of the people who had been born in Ireland were living abroad. We as a country are very aware of the pain, loss, and opportunity that emigration can bring and as a community we can build on this wisdom as we welcome people from Ukraine, people seeking asylum and seeking refuge.  

At the turn of the last century, over half of the people who had been born in Ireland were living abroad. We as a country are very aware of the pain, loss, and opportunity that emigration can bring and as a community we can build on this wisdom as we welcome people from Ukraine, people seeking asylum and seeking refuge.  

The Northside Community Forum members as listed below are determined to listen to the community and to respond to these protests to ensure the people feel welcome and safe.  

Archways

Artane Family Resource Centre

Association of Ukrainians in Ireland

Aster

Bonnybrook Early Education Centre

Bunratty Community Childcare

Clongriffin Community Association

Cluid Housing

Coolock Development Council

Coolock Law and Mediation Service

Crosscare

Darndale Belcamp Village Centre

Darndale Integrated Childcare Services

Discovery CTC

Doras Bui

Dublin Northeast Drug and Alcohol Taskforce

Grange Woodbine

Kilbarrack Coast Community Programme

Kilbarrack Community Development Programme

Kilbarrack Foxfield Preschool and Afterschool 

Killester WW1 Memorial Campaign

Kilmore West Youth Project

KLEAR

Learn and Play Preschool and Afterschool CLG

LeChéile Donnycarney Community & Youth Centre

Migraine Association

Moatview Early Education Service

Near FM

North Dublin MABS

Northside Counselling

Northside Homecare Services

Northside Partnership

Out N About – Detached Youth Service

Priorswood Pastoral Parish Centre 

Sphere 17

St Francis Parish committee

St John Vianney FC

Target

The Dales

The Sustainable Life School