Dublin: Hundreds March for Gaza, Lebanon, Iran, and Irish Neutrality
Hundreds protested in Dublin on Saturday, led by figures like Sandra McKeever and Paul Murphy, in solidarity with Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran. Demonstrators aimed to defend Irish neutrality, protesting government actions seen as weakening it and supporting conflicts in the Middle East. They also called for a referendum on the Triple Lock.
Hundreds of protesters gathered at the Garden of Remembrance, Dublin, on Saturday to show solidarity with Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran, and to defend Ireland’s neutrality.
Sandra McKeever, Louth For Neutrality, attended "to save" Irish neutrality, citing previous votes against the Nice and Lisbon Treaties and the government's introduction of the Triple Lock. The Triple Lock requires Government, Dáil, and UN permission for deploying over 12 Irish soldiers on overseas peacekeeping missions. Jim Roche, Irish Anti-War Movement, said the march aimed to highlight the government's weakening of Irish neutrality and "collusion with apartheid genocidal Israel" and "Trump’s wars in Iran". He urged Ireland to emulate Spain's response to the Middle East conflict.
People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy stated the protest aimed to highlight the "immorality" of the Middle East war and support for Irish neutrality and the Triple Lock. He said the protest was "against Trump and Israel’s wars in the Middle East" and the price paid by Palestinians, Iranians, and Lebanese people.
Murphy added that scrapping the Triple Lock "has been the agenda for a long time" and called for a referendum, noting public support for neutrality demonstrated in votes on the Lisbon and Nice Treaties.