GAAW Scoffs At Galway City Council Condemnation

The Galway Alliance Against War has scoffed at what it calls “the absurd Galway council politicians” condemning the group's peaceful visit to local TDs seeking them to do something about the scandolous raid on the home of their spokesperson.

“It is a bit rich for politicians who make their living calling to people's doors seeking favours – particularly at election time – to condemn GAAW for simply wishing to raise the issue of an unwarranted Garda raid on the home of one of its members. What is so special about politicians that we cannot go to their homes? Unlike in the case of Niall Farrell's home, their homes were not violated. It was an entirely peaceful and non-intimidating call. However, the sanctity of Niall Farrell's home was violated by a large group of aggressive male detectives, who refused to show their search warrant. No concern was given to the fact that the Farrell household is predominantly female. The Gardai refused a request from Niall's daughter to have female Gardai present. The purpose of this raid was to criminalise the peace movement and to seize data regarding anyone involved with our movement. We want Nolan and Walsh, two over-paid politicians, to safeguard the privacy of those people.

“As for the City Council condemning us, we consider this an honour. Better than getting bestowed with the Freedom of the City – literally it is a peace star on our lapels, something to be cherished. Terry O'Flaherty believes Niall Farrell should run for election. Niall believes in voluntary active citizenship not the clientelist politics that Cllr O'Flaherty indulges in and for which she receives a lot of taxpayers' money. Too many of these politicians are in it for the money with their handsome paypackets and curious travelling expenses claims.

“Is it any wonder this republic is in a state of crisis. The Seanie Fitzpatrick's – who have bankrupted us - swan it at the European football championships, while community activists such as Niall Farrell are harassed in their homes by the state's secret police. Let us make it quite clear we will not lie down and allow Fine Gael and Labour's heavy gang to criminalise us like they have criminalised the turf cutters, the Rossport community in Mayo and the Occupy Movement.”