“An aristocracy in a republic is like a chicken whose head has been cut off; it may run about in a lively way, but in fact it is dead.” Nancy Mitford

Amidst the collapse of the Irish economy, the inhabitants of a rural hinterland begin to feel the touch of the dead hand of the housing market.

Set in the notorious ghost estates of post 'celtic tiger' Ireland, 'Wallets Full of Blood' features Dennis Hopper as the voice of Brian 'Brains' Ahern.

'Brains' is a developer and a 'big man' in politics. He's also the overseer of a particularly gory property price collapse on 'Fiddler's Green'. He reckons he can clean up as a result of the creeping zombification all around him but his plans take on a zero-sum logic of their own.

To save himself from the killing floor that results, 'Brains' attempts to turn his minions against each other but finds to his horror that control of the vicious cycle of blood and price drops has slipped from his greedy, grasping fingers.

His future (and everyone elses) lies in the cold dead hands of a different kind of market where the proles are making a killing for a change.

Zombies roam an undead republic.

Canadian Students Protesting, Nov. 5th.

The loose network of struggling groups from around the world calling itself the International Students Movement has called for a Global Week of Action 2009 this coming April (20/04 - 29/04).

Last November, students from many countries across the world took part in the world's first coordinated action against the commercialisation of education and the (re)introduction of fees. The show of strength and solidarity was organised by the ISM, the International Students Movement (for free and emancipatory education), a loose collection of individuals and groups (not just students) with a common aim evident in the group's title.

November 5th saw actions take place in Ireland, Liberia, Greece, Germany, Croatia, Bangladesh, Canada, United States, Austria, Argentina, and many more. For a full report on the day, click here.

Related Links:
• International Students' Movement (for free and emancipatory education) - emancipating-education-for-all.org.
• Last year's call for the International Day of Action - indymedia.ie.
• Education articles on Indymedia.ie - indymedia.ie/education.
• Campaign for Commercial-Free Education, Ireland - commercialfreeeducation.com.
• Call for meeting of grassroots education workers, Ireland - indymedia.ie.

If you want to let the politicians know you don't want education spaces commercialised and/or fees reintroduced - contact them @ Contact.ie.

The crowd outside Liberty Hall

Up to 600 people yesterday marched behind the ashes of Bob Doyle from the Garden of Remembrance on Parnell Square to a celebration of his life held in Liberty Hall.

A lone piper led a colour party from the Republican Movement and the Communist Party, followed by three generations of the Doyle family who had come over from London to attend the event.

Behind them marched several hundred people in a display of left unity and solidarity we will doubtless see more of on the streets of Dublin over the coming months. Groups attending the celebration included the main unions, Eirigí, the WSM, the IRSP and Dublin Sinn Féin. Banners were also carried by the International Brigades Memorial Trust and the Inistiogue George Brown Memorial Committee. Supporters of the Dublin branch of the Irish Basque Solidarity Campaign demonstrating outside the GPO dipped their flags as a mark of respect as the crowd passed by.

Two wreaths were laid at the plaque to the Irish volunteers of the International Brigades outside Liberty Hall and after a few brief speeches the assembled went inside where a large photograph of Bob sat over the book of condolences.

Related Links:
• Bob Doyle (February 12th 1916 - January 22nd 2009) - A collection of speeches, articles and obituaries
• Bob Doyle: 'An Unusual Communist' - Previous Indy Feature with Video Interview with Bob

Waterford Crystal workers with meeting Chair.

Noel Atkins and Pat Phelan, Waterford Crystal workers and Unite Shop Stewards, travelled to Cork last night to speak out against the attempted closure of the plant. They spoke from the heart as workers tossed on the scrap heap after decades of service.

In the audio, the background to the conflict is provided along with calls for solidarity around the country and a recognition that will hopefully inspire the country and become the first struggle among many against the attack on our class.

Related Links: Thoughts on the crash, what is planned for us and the alternatives
Waterford Crystal Workers Occupy Deloitte head Office in Dublin
Waterford Occupation: Interview with Joe Kelly
Solidarity from New Zealand for Waterford Workers Occupying Factory