Sherlock calls for working people of Dublin to support ICTU act of solidarity

Labour spokesperson on Workers’ Rights and Dublin Central representative, Senator Marie Sherlock is encouraging all the workers of Dublin to support the Irish Congress of Trade Unions act of solidarity today at 1pm.

Senator Sherlock said:

“We are calling on the workers of Dublin to assemble at the GPO today at 1pm to show their solidarity with all the people of the capital and to clearly stand against the reckless, riotous and anti-social thuggery we saw on the streets of Dublin last Thursday.

"I would appeal to all employers in the city centre to facilitate workers to join ICTU in this act of solidarity and make it clear that we as a people refuse to intimidated by a minority of mindless thugs that do not represent working people.

“The riots endangered the safety and lives of our Gardaí, fire fighters, bus drivers and Luas driver and attacked the businesses and workplaces that so many depend on for work.

“Lost in all of Thursday night’s disgusting acts of vandalism was the reality that it was an immigrant and people born in this city who intervened to save the lives of the children standing outside Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire yesterday and to prevent additional bloodshed.

"The city owes much to the bravery of Rio de Janeiro born Caio Beneicio, Siobhán Kearney and others who intervened to save lives.

“The problems that have been allowed to fester within our communities and which manifested in blatant thuggery, cannot solely be dealt with by a simple law-and-order response, that came too little, too late on Thursday night.

"We need an entire community response that involves a serious conversation about the severe policing shortages, the policing approach towards organised vandalism and thuggery, the responsibilities of social media platforms and the impact on people of a lack of affordable housing and decent public services.  

"Last week's events serve as a huge wake up call and the government must now be put on notice.

"They must take serious action to resolve what is a deepening crisis or risk further division in our communities.”