DAOINE
B’iad Bróna, Orla, Deirdre agus Diarmuid foireann an lae.
We had a Byrne and an O’Byrne at different times posing for solidarity photos. Tony Byrne, a long-time supporter was visiting the city from his base in Wicklow and posed for a solidarity photo.
Another who posed for a solidarity photo was Niall Byrne, a relative of Vol. Bridget Gavan of Cumann na mBan, the female Republican organisation. He told us she was stationed in the GPO on Easter week, so she must have left there with most of the women and some walking wounded to Jervis Street Hospital (now occupied by the shopping centre) earlier on the Friday, before the general exodus to Moore Street. She married Denis Byrne, hence Niall’s surname.
We had a laugh when one of the people signing the petition asked, meaning what time did we start: “How long are you here?” And Bróna replied: “Ten years.” Bróna is a co-founder of the campaign group back in September 2014.
A tour guide leading a group of young Spanish, Austrians, Germans and Dutch women took an interest in our stall and leaflets.
We had signatures from people with Irish backgrounds including Ulster, also from others with backgrounds in Poland, Bangladesh and Ukraine. The street was busy enough but traffic was slow on our stall after a bit of an early rush.
A number of people requested Diarmuid’s assistance in pinning the paper Easter Lillies to their jackets, which he did, saying he felt as though he were pinning medals on them.
AIMSIR
Bhí an ghaoth go láidir agus fuar cé go raibh sé grianmhar cuid mhaith den ama.
EILE
We had paper Easter Lillies available for donations and Deirdre took on the overseeing of those. WE WILL HAVE THEM AGAIN ON THE 30th, EASTER SATURDAY. Easter Lillies are worn particularly around Easter in commemoration of those who died in the struggle for Irish freedom. They were originally designed and sold by members of Cumann na mBan to raise money for the support of the dependents of Republican prisoners of the Free State.
Thanks to supporter Andrea Arroyave we have an online petition and now a QB code also, so people can photograph the QB code and click on it later to sign the petition and also send the code to friends and relations anywhere in the world so they can sign on it also. Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine!
An Bord Pleanála held a 2-day oral hearing on objections regarding siting of the Metro line, one of which relates to a station entrance in O’Rahilly Parade. Stephen Troy of Troy’s Butchers attended to outline his objections. We received no notification and Donna Cooney says neither did she.
We did learn of the hearing regarding the planned closure of Markievicz Swimming Pool and number of housing units in Townsend Street to facilitate a Metro station there and brought our banner along to a picket in solidarity during the week.
Our other appeals to ABP are awaiting reply but we have been refused an oral hearing.
We have no update on Hammerson’s High Court case against Dublin City Council for councillors agreeing to give historical importance conservation status to five buildings in the Moore Street area.
