Boatmen deny objection to Red Arrows

Date Published: 29-May-2009

THE participation of the Red Arrows in the Volvo Ocean Race festival on Saturday has caused another row – this time among boat owners.A statement released by the Galway Alliance Against War last week claimed that the Galway Hooker Association was also objecting to the Red Arrows taking part in the festival and would be taking part instead in a protest at the Spanish Arch.But yesterday, Seán Ó Domhnáill, former All-Ireland winning Galway footballer and chairman of the Galway Hooker Association, denied any such objection.He explained that some members of the association had voiced objections to the participation of the Red Arrow display but stressed that the association was not staging any public protest or indeed objected in the slightest to them coming to Galway.“Not only that but we have a stand at the Festival Village and about 28 of our traditionalhookers will be out in the Bay on Saturday in support of the event, of which we are fully behind.“We believe that the festival and what it entails, including the air display, brings people and money into the city and we are fully behind that.”