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MEP shaken but not stirred by aggressive incident

Thursday, 24 April 2008

DUBLIN MEP Proinsias De Rossa has vowed to continue promoting the ‘yes’ campaign in the Lisbon Treaty Referendum despite being confronted by an aggressive anti-treaty mob last week.
The former Dublin North West TD was set upon after a public meeting to discuss the Lisbon Treaty Referendum last Monday (April 14).
Mr De Rossa was heckled and ended up on the ground following a scuffle after he was confronted when he left Liberty Hall.
A shaken Mr De Rossa told Northside People how the violent incident escalated from the “ugly and aggressive” atmosphere which dominated the meeting.
“A group of around 15 people kept insisting on disrupting the proceedings with their outbursts,” he said.
“They were really quite aggressive.
“It was a very difficult and intimidating situation to be in.
“Those involved were spread around the room and appeared to be from three separate groups but they all promoted a common anti-Lisbon line.”
A group of political activists calling themselves ‘We Are Change Ireland (wacIreland)’ has said some of its members were involved in the incident but denied Mr De Rossa was assaulted.
Edited footage of the incident is posted on the group’s website accompanied by claims that Mr De Rossa tripped and fell when he tried to grab a camera from one of the group.
The website says the group then flagged down a Garda van and gave them their details.
Despite reports that the mob was mainly made up of young men, the former Government minister claimed that many of those involved were in their 30s and 40s.
According to Mr De Rossa, many of those involved refused to identify themselves or say which group they represented.
“They seemed to be quite organised, though,” he continued.
“I’ve seen one or two of the worst offenders before. It seems that there is a clique of these people who are travelling around to the various public meetings on the issue.
“I’ve certainly noticed that there is a nasty element to some of those on the anti-Lisbon side who have turned up at the public meetings that have been held.”
The former Labour Party TD said he would let the gardai decide if they would press charges against those who he claims attacked him.
“I don’t want to say anything else in case it compromises the investigation,” he said.
“If those involved turn up at any other meeting, I will refuse to speak until they are escorted away.
“I don’t know why I was targeted but this incident has certainly made me more cautious when it comes to the public meetings and I will be sure not to leave on my own again.”
He concluded: “Debate is the lifeblood of democracy but some people are obviously not interested in rational discussion.”
Deputy Joe Costello (Lab), who organised last week’s meeting, said he was surprised at the incident.
“I never expected that things would turn violent,” he told Northside People.
“When I got out to Proinsias he was very shaken. He had scratches and blood on his hand.
“The group that attacked him even tried to take his shoulder bag from him.
“During the debate one of the group insisted on filming the discussion and was really very intrusive.”
Deputy Costello added: “Even when the gardai were taking statements this particular person insisted on sticking his camcorder in people’s faces.”
European Parliament President Hans-Gert Pottering strongly condemned the attack on Mr De Rossa.
“The knocking to the ground and assault of our European Parliament colleague is an attack on freedom of speech and the right and duty of elected parliamentarians to present their views in public,” he stated.
“This thuggish attack on an Irish MEP should be denounced by all self-respecting democrats.
“Everybody has the right to freely express his or her views. In the context of the Irish Referendum campaign, both sides of the argument need to be heard and the Irish public will make up its mind. Attacks like the one on Mr De Rossa are an attack on the fundamental values of the European Union which are enshrined in the Lisbon Treaty - values such as democracy, tolerance and freedom of speech.”
The main anti-Lisbon Treaty group, Libertas, were also quick to condemn the assault.
"Libertas utterly condemns this disgraceful attack on an elected representative of the people,” a spokesperson said.
“While we completely reject Mr De Rossa's views on the Lisbon Treaty, in a truly democratic society he has a right to articulate those views without having to fear for his safety.
“We wish to state once again for the record that no member of Libertas was in attendance at the Labour Party meeting at which this attack happened and we hope that Mr De Rossa has a quick recovery.”

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