Kilkenny neutrality meeting calls for ‘people power’ to bring peace

A lively meeting on neutrality and the Triple Lock, was recently held at the Club House Hotel, Kilkenny, called by a new cross-party link-up grouping - “Ar Chlé” (“On the Left”). More than 50 people took part.

Keynote speaker was Edward Horgan, former UN Peacekeeper in the Irish Defence Forces, and a founder of Shannonwatch.

He set out how the people of Ireland and all humanity are experiencing war impact including environmental destruction, migration crises and genocide in Palestine and Sudan.

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Councillor Adrienne Wallace of People Before Profit pointed to NATO complicity in arming the genocide in Gaza and said our Government has only paid lip service to opposing it - only people power can bring peace.

Kathleen Funchion, Sinn Fein MEP, called for an Irish Referendum on removing the Triple Lock.

Senator Patricia Stephens emphasised that our neutrality has given us significant power – Ireland’s good standing in the UN and initiation of arms control treaties comes from our neutral status.

Councillor Seán Ó hArgáin, Labour Party, also called for a referendum, reminded us that “We serve neither King nor Kaiser but Ireland” were the words hung on Liberty Hall in 1914.
“Working towards a left led Government is the way to turn the tide” and defend neutrality, he said
Tom Healy, of Ar Chlé, outlined hopes for development of Ar Chlé.