12 March 2001

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Dublin Corporation's clamp on demonstrations in O'Connell Street is draconian by any standard

The chairperson of Dublin Sinn Fein has said that new laws sought by Dublin Corporation officials will stop protests by community groups and single-issue campaigns.

Responding to media speculation, Sinn Fein's representative for Dublin South-East and Dublin regional chairperson, Daithí Doolan, said:

``Bringing this issue up at Dublin Corporation's South-East Area Committee today appears to be an attempt to slip this law through the back door.

``This is a serious threat to people's democratic right of assembly.  It is done in the name of a `cleaning up the city' but the message is clear - the fundamental right of any group to be allowed to assemble and march through any city centre will be at the whim of Dublin Corporation officials.''

ENDS

For comment contact Daithí Doolan 6712662 or 086 853 4666

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Tel: +353-1-8726100 and +353-1-8726839   ·   Fax +353-1-8733074
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