Peter Preston Demonstrates Against Bertie Ahern
dublin |
crime and justice |
news report 
Monday January 22, 2007 01:55
by Bertie Watcher
Protester says Ahern should resign- vows to continue demonstrating
Mr Peter Preston, who last year spent some months on hunger strike at the gates of the Leinster House in Dublin, has resumed his protest, this time by picketing at the constituency headquarters of Bertie Ahern, St.Luke's in Drumcondra.
Mr Preston says he intends to regularly protest outside Saint Luke's, but he will also go back to Kildare Street and other locations in the run up to the election campaign.
His dispute with Bertie Ahern lies in the fact that he feels that Mr Ahern has not done enough, either in his role as local representative or as the country's political leader, to investigate the circumstances surrounding a serious attack on Mr Preston's daughter, in a public house in Drumcondra.
The pub, which was known as a den of underage drinking, was the scene of an incident in which the young girl had a glass smashed in her face.
There are conflicting reports about the circumstances of the attack, the police response, and the subsequent actions of the Department of Justice, the Taoiseach, and also another, opposition party representative, Mr Joe Costello of the Labour Party.
Peter Preston is calling for the resignation of Bertie Ahern and other individuals, and a full investigation into the affair. The mainstream media have refused to cover the issue, seemingly because they are concerned about possible libel claims.
He has said that he does not intend to embark on a hunger-strike again at this time, but that he will protest at the constituency office and parliamentary offices of the Taoiseach, and also that he will follow Bertie Ahern as he canvasses in the upcoming General Election.
Comments (6 of 6)
Jump To Comment: 1 2 3 4 5 6"He has said that he does not intend to embark on a hunger-strike again at this time"
There are many who do not believe that Preston was ever engaged in a real hunger strike. His stunt outside the Dail was not convincing. Its interesting that this time he has moved on to target Bertie, last time it was Joe Costelloe, the judiciary, the law Society, the Bar Council, Michael McDowell, the media. I wonder who his next target will be.
I assume there's more to this than meets the eye?
Can't see how having your Daughter glassed involves the Government...
I can see how you are pissed off if your daughter is attacked. Who would not be very very angry? But as with all injustices, you've to take the correct strategy. Bertie Ahern is the Taoiseach, yes in an overall sence he's responsible for crime. But it is disproportionate to have these protests over what is a relatively minor crime that he will not have time to deal with. What do you think TDs do all day? investigate pub brawls? This crime should be taken up with the Gardaí, the local councillors, Legal advice/citizens advice, pub owner, etc. These people will direct you towards dealing with the person/s that assaulted your daughter.
Free advice: if your daughter is over 18 she'll have to do this not you!
You'd think a local TD would have something to say about a pub serving people who are obviously under age. The pub in question no longer gets away with this, but because of Peter Preston, not Bertie Ahern.
You'd think a local TD would find out why the alleged incident wasn't investigated thoroughly, and if there was anything in the story (and it may be no more that) that a police informant was being protected.
A local TD may also have a view on the connection which is alleged with one of the people concerned with this incident, and an (alleged) case of possesion of a large quantity of drugs -a case which, it seems, was also not thoroughly followed up.
Local TD's often get involved with cases like this, and matters of criminal justice generally. You only have to look at the controversy surrounding the recent case of a Fianna Fail TD writing a letter on behalf of a rapist and a murderer in an effort to secure their early release from prison.
There's something very unjust happening here, as far as Peter Preston is concerned. He is prepared to stand outside the gate of St Luke's in the freezing cold to draw attention to this perceived injustice. Does he not deserve a hearing?
what ever happened to the founder of mothers agains solvent and drug abuse which originated in kilbarrack Dublin 5?
answer
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