Protest at the National Seminary of Ireland in Maynooth.

dublin | crime and justice | news report

Saturday January 23, 2010 09:44

by John Ayres

Protestors joins the EGM of Bishops at the National Seminary of Ireland, Maynooth.

First protestors at National Seminary of Ireland in Maynooth.

Protestors set up at the gates of the National Seminary of Ireland in Maynooth. In the tranquil surroundings of the College in Maynooth, protestors were treated to a fine sunny day to convey their message to the Bishops and the Irish People that much more has to be done. Many of the Bishops had stayed over night at the college for the EGM, only a few Bishops drove to the meeting at 11.30am.

Kevin Flanagan, Rob Mangan and John Ayres arrived bright and early to greet the Bishops arrivng, Brendan Butler joined the protest with his poster. A man from Carlow drove up to Maynooth to represent his wife who had been abused by the Church.

Eamon Martin Sec.Bishops Conference came out to the protestors to convey the Bishops request to take messages back to them from the protestors. He took only 2 messages, one from Brendan Butler and one from John Ayres.

It was a quite and peaceful protest mostly until the Media arrived which gave the impression of a frenzy. RTE, BBC Northern Ireland, Press and Radio (Local and National) descended on the few protestors to interview them, which they glady agreed to. Upto that point the protest was inconspicuous.

Archbishop Diarmuid Martin had gone out shopping during the lunch break but was apprehended on the way back at the gates of the college. Kevin Flanagan confronted Archbishop Diarmuid Martin on the issue that the abuse by priest was a crime and should be seen in this light. Kevin requsted that Archbishop Diarmuid Martin make a statement to the press after the EGM to state that "abuse of Irish children and withholding information from the Garda was a crime"

The media desend on the protestors at the National Seminary of Ireland in Maynooth.