Beidh Máire Nic an Bhaird, múinteoir meánscoile agus ball do Na Gaeil Óga, os comhair Teach na Cúirte, Cois Lagáin, i mBéal Feirste inniu óna 11r.n. de dheasca gur labhair sí i nGaeilge le ball den PSNI.
Tá sí cúisithe go hoifigiúil le “iompar mí-ordúil”, rud a shéanann sí féin agus trí fhinnéithe eile. Táthar ag súil leis na céadta tacadóirí de chuid Máire Nic an Bhaird ag agóid lasmuigh de Theach na Cúirte, Cois Lagáin i mBéal Feirste inniu, 5 Eanáir 2007 ag a 12i.n.
Tá an óg-eagraíocht Na Gaeil Óga ag eagrú an agóide agus tá siad ag iarraidh ar an phobal tacú le Máire agus le cearta Gaeilgeoirí i gcoitinne.
Dúirt Seán Ó hAdhmaill, Cathaoirleach Na Gaeil Óga, Is é an taiseolais atá ag teacht chugainn ná go bhfuil iontas ar roinnt daoine, go háirithe sna 26 Co. ach go bhfuil scannál cuid mhór daoine go bhféadfaí go ndéileáiltear le múinteoir óg ar an gcaoi seo de dheasca gur úsáid sí a theanga féin! Teanga í seo atá luaite i gComhaontú Aoine an Chéasta agus cosanta faoi Comhaontú Naomh Aindriú (má gcomhlíonfar an Comhaontú).
“Léiríonn an chás seo cé chomh fada is atá muid ón gcosaint dlíthiúil sin, i dtéarmaí cearta teanga Gaeilgeoirí a chinntiú agus na dúshláin atá romhainn. Is sampla fhoirfe í seo de riachtanas Acht Gaeilge ar nós an Acht atá foilsithe agus lorgtha ag POBAL, agus an ghrúpa ACHT ina bhfuil Na Gaeil Óga mar bhaill.
“Tá crógacht agus stuamacht léirithe ag Máire Nic an Bhaird in aghaidh briogadh biogóidí, agus ina seasamh go bpléifidh a cás trí Ghaeilge. Is sampla í do Ghaeil óga fud na tíre agus na cruinne, agus leanfaidh Na Gaeil Óga ag tacú léi mar atá againn le linn a cáis.
“Thar cionn Mháire, ba mhian liom buíochas a ghabháil do chuile dhuine a thacaigh léi tríd an chás, ach go háirithe Conradh na Gaeilge as bus lán de thacadóirí ó Bhaile Átha Cliath a eagrú ag chuile éisteacht dá gcás, inniu ina measc.
Teacher before the courts for speaking Irish
Máire Nic an Bhaird, a secondary school teacher and member of Na Gaeil Óga will be before the Laganside courts in Belfast today, 5th of January 2007, from 11am for speaking in Irish to a member of the PSNI.
She is officially charged with “Disorderly Behaviour” which she and three other witnesses refute. Hundreds are expected to attend a solidarity protest for Máire Nic an Bhaird which will be held outside the gates of the Laganside Courthouse.
Na Gaeil Óga, the Irish-language youth organisation that is organising the protest, is calling on the public to support the protest which will be held at 12pm today.
Seán Ó hAdhmaill, Chairperson of Na Gaeil Óga said,
“The feedback we have received is that people are surprised and outraged that a young teacher could be treated in such a scandalous way for speaking her native language, a language that is protected under the Good Friday Agreement and the St. Andrews Agreement (if implemented).
“It just shows how far we still have to go, in terms of securing basic linguistic rights in the north of Ireland. This case is a perfect example why a rights based Irish-language Act such as the one published by POBAL, the umbrella organisation for Irish-language organisations in the north of Ireland, is necessary.
“Máire Nic an Bhaird has shown great courage and composure in the face of bigoted provocation, and in requesting her trial to be heard in Irish. She is an example to young Irish-language speakers throughout Ireland and abroad and Na Gaeil Óga have and will gladly continue to support Máire throughout her courtcase.”
"On behalf of Máire, I’d like to thank all those who have supported her, in particular Conradh na Gaeilge who have organised a busload of supporters from Dublin at every hearing of her case, including today."
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