Tuesday, February 03, 2009

Ógra Shinn Féin activist arrested in Galway protesting against Student Fees

An Ógra Shinn Féin activist was arrested in Galway last night (Monday February 2nd) in ongoing protests against the introduction of Student Fees.

Frankie Gallagher, an 18 year old Donegal student, attending NUIG, and a member of Ógra Shinn Féin was participating in a FEE (Free Education for Everyone) protest, opposing the visit of former Fianna Fáil Taoiseach Bertie Ahern’s visit to the Galway campus.


Condemning the arrest, fellow student and Ógra spokesperson Caoimhe Sloan said,

“The arrest of Frankie by a jumped up Garda officer is totally unacceptable, and follows on from similar arrests of Dublin Ógra activists in previous months. These over the top reactions by the Dublin government to peaceful protest, shows they are not willing to be criticised and confronted on this issue and are resorting to bully boy tactics and arrest as a result.”

“The anti democratic manner in which they are dealing with the current fees debacle, and threatened arrest of those who challenge the government’s onslaught on the budget and fees is an absolute disgrace, but it will not work, we will not be deterred by these intimidatory tactics, and they only serve to make us more resilient in our campaign to stop the introduction of fees.”

“We will support Frankie, and any other student arrested for daring to peacefully protest against student fees and we will be turning out in numbers in Dublin tomorrow to send a message out loud and clear that education is a right, not a privilege.”

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Typical response from the Garda, just like in Rossport.

fair play OSF. Jim

Take-It-Down-From-The-Mast said...

Free the Donegal one!!! lol

Saor Frankie anois!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Hope Bertie got the message.
Fair play frankie and ogra in galway!!

Anonymous said...

Fair play Frankie. It is becoming more and more worrying that the Dublin government are resorting to fascist tactics when dealing with peaceful demonstrations. The right to freedom of expression and assembly are constantly being violated by the gardai eg, Rossport, Tara, anti-fees etc.

Seán

Anonymous said...

Frankie is buillí fir thú! istigh sa chilín arís, an mbíonn tú riamh ar an taobh amuigh?!
- Senan

The Scallywag said...

Frankie is a good friend of mine and what happened here is discracful, it proves that the gardaí, an who exist to keep law and the peace are a group of corrupt bastards, they were protesting against the introduction of fees, something which wouldn't even be considered if the government hadn't gotten the country into the state it did. This is all one big money making scandle which the people need to recognize has gone on for far too long at this stage. If this ends in an un-lawful jail sentence for franikie then it proves that this country's ruling class is nothing but a bunch of criminals