Michael Turley

Local Representative for Donnybrook, Sandymount, Ballsbridge and Milltown
Supporting Chris Andrews for Dublin South East

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February 27, 2006

Yob Protest

Posted 1653 days ago by Michael Turley on February 27, 2006 In the wake of Saturdays yob protest, Michael McDowell has serious questions to answer regarding his competence as Minister for Justice.

While correctly defending the right of the unionist demonstrators to march, he did not make the most basic of provisions to allow for a worst case scenario. In effect, he gave dissident Republicans (a tiny political minority) a significant platform to promote their agenda of division amongst the alienated youth of the north inner city, who made the most of an exciting Saturday afternoon. He also landed a double whammy by handing negative elements within unionism a significant propaganda victory. McDowell is fine when in full verbal flight attacking militant republicanism but has not delivered one practical measure to arrest their corroding influence on society.

In his defence, one might say that only the riot organisers can be held responsible for Saturdays chaos but his inability to direct the security services to control and maintain order is a serious reflection on his abilities to perform as Minister for Justice.

Organisation of the 1916 commemoration will be an even more fraught issue now.

Some interesting Riot Photos and a good analysis piece by Susan McKay here.
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