Dublin Ógra on frontline at Dublin docks

Dublin activists today took part in a march organised by the Dublin Port Workers Group, which have been locked in a bitter dispute with their employer Peel Ports Group. The dockers have held out for over seven weeks, and were forced to strike after their employer imposed force redundancies and introduced new contracts with pay cuts and worse conditions. Despite the company employing scabs from Britain, and a security firm made up of ex-SAS operatives, the communities of Irishtown, East Wall and Ringsend have stood by the dockers in support. The company also took a high court injunction preventing effective picketing. Dock workers from across Europe have sent messages of solidarity and after pledges of similar action, Rotterdam was shut down in support of the action in Dublin today.

Dublin Ógra Shinn Féin spokesperson Daithí Byrne said; "Its great to see the communities of Irishtown, East Wall and Ringsend standing side by side with the workers, who have been treated despicably by their employers. We call on other communities to do the very same. If Peel Ports Group is successful, they could very well use the same policy to undermine workers throughout Ireland. Dublin Ógra will continue to support their ongoing protest and wish them every success as they continue to fight for their rights."

Dublin Ógra condemn British Navy arrival

Dublin Ógra Shinn Féin protested today against the arrival of the British naval vessel the HMS Mersey (P283) in Dublin Port. The vessel, which is armed with a 20mm cannon and two machine guns arrived in Dublin yesterday morning and is due to leave on Thursday at 0600.


Dublin Ógra Shinn Féin spokesperson Daithi Byrne said; ''This ship is representative of the same navy that is responsible for occupation and oppression across the globe. We are here today to tell the British Navy that there are not welcome in Ireland and to show our opposition to the display of British force. The open arm welcoming of this ship by the Government is insensitive and unacceptable.''

Dublin Ógra Shinn Féin spokesperson Mick Farrell has called on the Government as a matter of urgency to frame a coherent strategy to tackle the crisis in Irish fishing. This comes as the British naval vessel the HMS Mersey, which is responsible for harassing Irish fishermen in Irish waters, arrived in Dublin. Dublin Ógra questioned the Government on quota allocation management, the high level of fines imposed on Irish fishermen, and the Government's strategy to protect the Irish Box conservation area. "The restrictions placed on fishermen are making many feel that they are being criminalized for pursuing their livelihood.", said Mick Farrell.

On the streets with Dublin Ógra

Dublin Ógra Shinn Féin activists were on the streets of the city over the course of the week as part of a recruitment drive launched by the cúige. In streets and alleys, posters with the Ógra and Na Fianna Éireann logos were erected to mark the significant anniversary of Irish republican youth in struggle. Dublin Ógra were especially active in Moore Street, the location of the final HQ of the Provisional Government of the Irish Republic on Easter Week, 1916.



The latest activity of the recruitment drive, the flyposting was a sucess, and is one of many initiatives that will be taken over the course of the future. Every Saturday, Dublin Ógra Shinn Féin will be running an information stall outside the GPO, one of the most significant historic locations of revolutionary Dublin.



Dublin Ógra Shinn Féin spokeperson Daithí Byrne said; "This simple yet highly effective recruitment method is one of many ideas that will be employed by Dublin activists in the coming weeks. Our mission is simple, and that is to get the republican message out to the young people of Dublin and to continue to be strong players in the city's youth politics. Every Saturday we run a stall outside the GPO and we would encourage anyone who is interested in what we do and what we stand for to come along."

To contact Dublin ÓSF email; dublinogra@blogspot.com

Dublin Ógra in solidarity with Dublin Port workers

Dublin Ógra Shinn Féin activists manned a picket yesterday outside theFour Courts in the city. A march was held by the Dublin Port WorkersGroup last week in support of SIPTU members who are in dispute with UKcompany Peel Ports at the Marine Terminal in Dublin Port on Tuesday28, July. Over 300 people from the communities of East Wall, Irishtownand Ringsend from both sides of the river Liffey joined together tohold a protest at the Marine Terminal where forty-two SIPTU membershave been picketing for over a month over the company’s refusal tonegotiate with the union and to enforce pay cuts and redundancies.

The company took a High Court injunction which prevents effectivepicketing by the striking workers. While the workers were lockedoutside their place of employment, scabs from Britain were employed,while Irish workers weren't paid.

Yesterday morning, the controversy was resolved. It was agreed that thedefendants and their agents would be restrained from picketing thecompany's cargo terminal in a manner which directly obstructs vehiclesseeking access to and egress from the Marine Terminal's facility.

Dublin Ógra spokesperson Daithí Byrne said; "The fact that MarineTermal Ltd. workers were treated in such a fashion is a disgrace.Dublin Port is state owned, with MTL its sole tenant. The governmenthave a duty to intervene in support of workers rights. The Britishowned company appears to have faced no oppostition from the governmentwhile it walked all over the workers. Dublin ÓSF activists have beensupporting workers rights day and night over the last week and willcontinue to do so."

To contact Dublin Ógra Shinn Féin for information or to join, contact dublinogra@gmail.com