Tomorrow’s lockdown protest in Cork city should not go ahead as planned, according to the Irish Council for Civil Liberties.
Gardaí have warned organisers of the rally that they could face criminal investigation if it goes ahead as planned – with public order units on standby as part of a major policing plan.
On Newstalk Breakfast meanwhile, a spokesperson for the event said the risk of violence at the demonstration is “infinitesimally small.”
The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) has written to the Government warning that it “strongly believes that that some form of protest must be allowed” during the pandemic.
The council noted that the right to protest must be protected and warned that ‘clear guidelines for protesting safely during lockdown are urgently needed.’
At the moment it is illegal to hold a one-person protest in your own street. Our Constitutional right to protest can be limited but not entirely suspended like this.
Listen for @DoireannAnsbro on @NewstalkFM at 1pm on what should be done.
Our statement: https://t.co/BPvWtnUUia
— ICCLtweet (@ICCLtweet) March 5, 2021
This morning, an ICCL spokesperson told Newstalk that, as things stand, the council “absolutely would not encourage” people to attend tomorrow’s protest.
She said that while the ICCL believes there must be “scope for people to protest peacefully safely in accordance with guidelines,” the current plans are not legal at this time and are not safe for those attending.
In its letter to the Minister for Justice, the ICCL said that it strongly supports the right to protest but ‘clearly condemns all use of violence at those demonstrations.’
“At the very heart of democracy is the right to voice concerns, alternative views and dissent,” it said.
“This right takes on an even more fundamental importance when we consider the significant impact of public health restrictions on lives and livelihoods across Ireland.”
It called for participation in strike action and peaceful protests to be categorised as ‘reasonable excuse’ for movement outside the home and for a range of guidelines to be put in place for safe demonstrations during lockdown:
It said the guidelines should address:
- The size of protests
- The wearing of face coverings during protests
- Social distancing during protests
- Avoidance of contact with members of the public during protests
- Such guidelines could also provide for differentiation between different levels of public health restrictions
- Any limitations or deviation from normal practice with regard to the right to protest must be for the shortest possible period
The ICCL Head of Legal Policy Doireann Ansbro said the violence in Dublin highlighted the need for the guidelines.
“Rising tensions as a result of the extended lockdown can be seen across the country but particularly in the capital,” she said.
“While the majority of people have accepted that restrictions are necessary to stem the spread of Covid-19, there is a minority who do not agree. They have a right to express their views within the law but currently the law appears to ban all protests.
“Safe protest should be considered a legitimate excuse to leave home during the current and all future lockdowns.”
