40 protest at Greek Embassy as part of international day of action

Saturday December 20, 2008 19:24

by Andrew

Some 40 people took part this lunchtime in the march from the top of Grafton street to the Greek embassy as part of the International Day of Resistance and Solidarity. Leaflets proclaiming that ;Our lives do not belong to the state' were distributed and the banners unfurled. On arrival at the Greek embassy we observed that the frontage had been splattered with red paint and at least one window had been broken sometime previously. A greek comrade gave a short speech on what was happening in Greece and the we dispersed

Reports are now coming in of similar protests and actions taking place all over the world as thousands continue to demonstrate and occupy buildings in Greece. The call-out for the Dublin demonstration observed ..

Whilst this demos was been called in solidarity with the popular up rising in Greece, in the context of cops killing an 15 yeare old boy, by shooting him at point blank range in the chest, it should be remembers that many families in Ireland have had to deal with deaths of their children is less than clear circumstances

It should also be obvious that many deaths wiill result form the service cutbacks no proposed by our government. These clearly are a capitalist attack on ordinary people, as global capitalist seek to prop up a global finacial system which has injustice and inequality as one of its core principles

We will not forget this, nor will we forget that the police forces of the state have, as a primary concern, the continuation of the status quo, at all cost. One need only look to Rossport, or the disgusting treatment at the hands of the Guards, to families looking clear and honest answers, and justice, for the death of their loved ones, that in many circumstances, at the very least deserve full and independant public inquiries

This is a list of deaths in Guards custody since 1997 to march 2006 Derek Lehane, aged 19, was taken by ambulance to hospital from Midleton Garda station, Cork in January 1997.

He was pronounced dead in hospital the same day. An inquest gave a verdict of accidental death arising from the ingestion of a controlled drug.

In December 1997, Norman McGrath, aged 48, from Ballyfermot collapsed in Pearse St Garda station and was pronounced dead at hospital. A post mortem found he had had a heart attack.

In January 1998, David O'Connor, aged 34, died at Wexford Garda Station.

Peter Williams, aged 33, from Thurles, collapsed in Kilmainham Garda Station in Dublin on 7 September 1998 and died in hospital. The inquest held that his was death by misadventure arising from the ingestion of prescribed drugs.

On 18 September 1998, Francis Brooks, aged 23, of Rathfarnham, was found dead in Tallaght Garda Station.

On 26 May 1999, Martin Hickey was found dead from strangulation at Trim Station.

On 22 August 1999, a 52 year old man died in Rathmines Garda Station. The Inquest recorded a verdict of death by misadventure, due to vomit inhalation as a result of acute alcohol intake.

On May 10 2000, Derek Cooper from Southill, Limerick was found hanging in a cell in Roxboro Garda station. he had been arrested inder the public order act.

In October 2000, Walter Kells, aged 26, was found collapsed in Drogheda Garda station and later pronounced dead. He had been arrested for an alleged breach of the peace.

On 4 June 2001, an unnamed man was found dead in Store Street Garda station.

On 13 September 2001, Thomas Mongan, from Westside, Galway, died in hospital shortly after having been arrested.

On 3 May 2001, Patrick Hayes hung himself in a cell at Dungarvan Garda station, Waterford. He had been arrested under Section 17 of the Domestic Violence Act 1996 following an alleged incident involving his former partner.

In December 2002, 19-year-old Paul Magee died in hospital after being found unconscious in Kilmainham Garda Station. A postmortem concluded his death was consistent with cocaine-related collapse

On 12 September 2002, Brian Rossiter was found unconscious in Clonmel Garda station, and died later in hospital.

On 17 June 2003, an unnamed man died in custody in Tallaght Garda station.

On 21 December 2003, John Delaney died in Kilkenny Garda station.

On 3 January 2004, William Haugh, aged 48, from Donaghmede, Dublin died in Clontarf Garda station.

On 13 January 2004, Peter Skelly, aged 25, died in Youghal Garda station.

Also in January 2004, Thomas Campion, aged 23, died in Store Street Garda station.

On 2 June 2005, Terence Wheelock was arrested and brought to Store Street Garda station, and later died in hospital.
(Sources: The Garda Siochana Annual Reports and media reports)

Against Police Brutality
Against Capitalist inequality
For a society of direct democracy, justice ands equality