Unions urged to take part in Dublin May Day marches

TRADE unionists have been urged to take part in a May Day street rally and march on the same day the 10 accession countries are officially welcomed to the European Union.

The Dublin Trades Union Council is due to meet early next week to decide whether to hold the traditional labour day march through the city.

It had been persuaded not to organise when it a celebration concert was planned for O'Connell Street.

Mick O'Reilly, of the Amalgamated Transport and General Workers Union, said he will try to persuade fellow trade unionists to reverse that decision and join in a street party and march to Phoenix Park. The demonstration is being organised by anti-globalisation groups.

The expected arrival of overseas anarchists has led to fears violence will break out but organisers have played down the possibility, claiming they have been fuelled by hype.

A video distributed via the internet called on protestors to come to Dublin and advocated direct action.

The video showed pictures of Dublin streets and government buildings, including Farmleigh House in Phoenix Park, where the accession countries will formally sign up to the EU.

Rory Hearne, one of the organisers of the street party and march, said the video was a spoof to try and fool the media.

Mr Hearne said the only group planning to come to Ireland is the London-based Wombles, who he described as completely peaceful.

The theme of the May Day protest is "Another Europe is possible".

Mr Hearne said it encompassed three elements: the "hypocrisy" of Ireland and other EU states in organising a day of welcome when borders were being closed to immigrants and deportations were increasing; decreasing rights of workers and increasing militarisation of Europe and the backing for the war in Iraq.

The demonstration will begin at midday on Monday May 3 at the Central Bank, Dame Street.

This will be followed by a march to the gates of Phoenix Park, where it is planned to hold an impromptu concert.

Meanwhile, a group of Limerick anarchists have vowed to give US President George W Bush a "welcome he won't forget" on his arrival in Ireland in June for a US-EU summit.

The US leader is scheduled to stay in the exclusive presidential suite at Dromoland Castle in Co Clare just a stone's throw from Shannon airport.

Anarchists and members of Limerick Libertarians are planning to step up activities throughout Limerick and the mid-west region in the run up to Mr Bush's arrival at Shannon.

The group is planning to outline its plans next Tuesday at a meeting of the Workers Solidarity Group due to take place in the University of Limerick.