REPUBLICAN SINN FEIN SHOULD CALL OFF PROTEST

I am calling on Republican Sinn Fein to cancel their planned protest at this Sunday's rugby international at Croke Park.

This weekend's game is a historic sporting event and one which is greatly anticipated in the local area. The attempts by some elements to politicise the occasion is unwelcome and is adding unwanted tension to an match which should be a celebration of sporting endeavour.

The English team are due the same respect as all visiting sides to Dublin and all outdated cries of protest only serve to drag us back to a narrow-minded insular past which is unrepresentative of our modern nation'

I am calling on Republican Sinn Fein to abandon their plans to protest as the potential for the march to be hijacked by undesirable elements is quite high, if last years Love Ulster parade is anything to go by.

I am delighted to welcome the English team and its supporters to Dublin and to my own area of the North Inner City and I hope all Dubliners will do the same in the true spirit of Croke Park and the history of sport in Ireland.

The details of the protest seen below are posted on the Republican Sinn Fein website

‘RSF Croke Park protest
Republican Sinn Féin has confirmed that it will be holding a protest at the England-Ireland rugby international on February 24 next.

Those wishing to protest at the playing of God Save the Queen (English national anthem) and the flying of the English flag in Croke Park whilst England continues to occupy part of Ireland should assemble at the junction of North Circular Road and Summerhill Parade near the Sunset House pub on Saturday, February 24 at 3.30pm.