- Blog
- News
- Who We Are
- Projects
- Campaigns
- Publications
- History
PR : Free speech attacked in Galway
01.07.2007
The pro-life group, Youth Defence (YD),are on their last leg of their 17th annual roadshow. This yearly event takes them through the high-ways and the by-ways of Ireland, as they disseminate information on abortion. YD members from all across Ireland take part in what has been described as “the most important Irish pro-life activity in Summer”.
Last Wednesday they set up their, now famous, street information sessions, in the main thoroughfares of Cavan town and Mullingar. The next day they moved onto Longford and Sligo, where spirits were high despite the rain. On Friday, the travelling band, were welcomed warmly in Ballina and Castlebar by members and supporters. But when they reached Galway, on Saturday, the young pro-lifers encountered problems.
Towards the end of their three hour information session, on Galway’s main shopping Street, Shop St, a group of about twenty-five YDers were approached by Gardai. The Gardai informed them that their had been complaints about the pictures of the aborted babies displayed on their boards. The leader of the YD street session showed the Gardai a letter from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) which allows such a display. The letter, according to the Youth Defence members, was ignored by the Gardai and a couple of the Gardai proceeded to break one of the pro-life boards. Youth Defence chairman, Eoghan De Faoite, described the incident as ‘an attack on free speech’. Mr De Faoite also mentioned that twice last year YD members were arrested in Galway for handing out pro-life information, and wonders why it seems to be only in Galway ‘were problems are occurring’ for the pro-life group? And ‘why are the Galway Gardai ignoring expressed orders form their superiors (the DPP), not to interfere with YD information sessions?’
No arrests were made on Saturday, but Garda John Power, said that their phone lines, in Galway’s Millstreet Gardai station, had been inundated with calls supporting the members of Youth Defence.
The remainder of the Youth Defence Roadshow will take in, Clare, Limerick, Kerry, Cork, Tipperary and Waterford, finishing up in Kilkenny on Friday the 6th of July.
Along with their daily afternoon information public information sessions, the YD tour also involves early evening public meetings; leaflet drops; and demos at pro-abortion clinics.
End
