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Organizers of an anti-lockdown rally have ignored growing calls for it to be canceled, insisting tonight that it will take place tomorrow as planned.
Pressure mounted on event organizers today with charity activists, business leaders, the Mayor of Cork and the Irish Council for Civil Liberties calling for the event to be canceled.
But the event’s spokesperson, Diarmaid Ó Cadhla, secretary of the People’s Convention, said he does not agree with the confinement restrictions, that the event will continue and that he is prepared to deal with the legal consequences.
“It will be a peaceful gathering and people have the right to attend,” he said.
“If people have symptoms, they should stay home. If they feel vulnerable, they should stay home.
“We will issue public health guidelines on social distancing and the use of face masks, but if prosecutions are continued because people want to attend a peaceful meeting and speeches, it would be an outrageous disregard of our rights.”
Gardaí has prepared a major police operation amid fears of a repeat of the violent scenes witnessed during a protest against the blockade in Dublin last weekend.
Several pubs in the city center have agreed to cancel their take-out service tomorrow. The president of the VFI branch in Cork, Michael O’Donovan, said that following a gardaí approach, they felt it was “the most prudent and responsible thing to do.”
“We are so close to reaching the finish line, I would ask people to think twice before attending the rally,” he said.
Catriona Twomey from Cork Penny Dinners called on people to think twice before attending the rally.
“I ask those who are going to protest to think about those who are fighting,” he said.
“Don’t take our lives in your hands. Err on the side of caution and let us all be safe.
Eoin O’Sullivan, president of the Cork Business Association, said such a protest could prolong the lockdown just as people see the light at the end of the tunnel.
“Businesses and individuals have sacrificed a lot to protect public health. We see this protest against the lockdown as a potential high-risk event that could see an increase in Covid-19 cases that will result in further lockdown,” he said.
A garda spokesperson said they have engaged with the rally organizers and reminded them of the temporary Covid-19 regulations introduced under the Health Act of 1947 as amended.
Rule eight places restrictions on people hosting relevant outdoor events, while rule four places restrictions on travel outside the home, except for a reasonable excuse.
“Attending an event organized in violation of these regulations is not a reasonable excuse to travel outside of your home,” said a spokesperson.
Gardaí has declined to comment on the details of tomorrow’s police operation, but has confirmed that law enforcement units will be available, if necessary, as part of a gradual response to any specific issues that may arise.
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