PROTEST AT CITY STATUE BRANDED AN INSULT

Date Published: 25-Jan-2008

Plans to dress the Liam Mellows monument in the city in an orange boiler suit as part of a peaceful protest by Galway Alliance Against War has been described as an insult.Councillor Michael Crowe says he is totally against what he calls the "defacing" of such an important monument at Eyre Square.Councillor Crowe has asked the Chief Superintendent at Millstreet Garda station to send Gardaí to protest tomorrow to prevent any interference with the statue.The anti-war group is hoping the tactic will highlight the plight of Guantanamo detainees and the use of Shannon airport by US military planes, on the 6th anniversary of the opening of the US prison camp.A former inmate of the prison, Rhudel Ahmed will speak at the protest in Eyre Square tomorrow at 1.30pm [26/1]Councillor Michael Crowe believes that this form of protest is an insult to the memory of Liam Mellows:However, Niall Farrell of Galway Alliance Against War says the protest is not disrespectful