Statement on Behalf of Liam Coyne Social Democrats Candidate for Dublin South Central.
“Groups like Pediga have no place in Irish Society”
The Social Democrats’ Dublin South Central Candidate Liam Coyne strongly believes that groups like Pediga have no place in Irish Society.
Pediga is an anti-Islamic group that originated in Germany in October 2014.
Today (Saturday Feb 6th) the group attempts to sully the memory of those who fought and died for freedom in 1916 by holding a demonstration this afternoon outside the GPO on O’Connell Street.
It is most ironic that 100 years after the Easter rising that a demonstration by a group like Pediga should be held at place synonymous with the ideals of freedom, equality and justice for all.
Pediga wants to establish an Irish branch. Liam hopes the group fails miserably with its Irish venture.
“The last thing we want to see here is some sort of hardline rightwing group looking to blame Ireland’s woes on groups such as refugees and economic migrants.
Many of the people they complain about are fleeing from war zones and oppression of the most cruel kind. Many are just young children.
Even in hard times we should never turn to extremist politics or politicians for so-called solutions,” he said.
“I believe people have a right to expression and freedom of speech, but this message of hate towards people who have come to our shores looking for a better life is all wrong.”
Liam emigrated to the United States during the 1980’s where he worked at various jobs including brick laying and sales before retuning home to establish his business.
“Like many Irish who lived and worked overseas for some years, I know what it is like to be an immigrant.”
“The idea anyone in Ireland should be encouraged to resent people from other countries working hard to build a better life for themselves is utterly incomprehensible.”
“We have a long history of people having to leave home in search of work overseas in order to survive and in many places the Irish were not very welcome.”
“We didn’t like it when Irish people were discriminated against in other counties merely for being Irish. We should be the last people on Earth to allow the same to be done to any non-national person living over here.”
Ends