McDowell: Anti-gay actions unhelpful

ANTI-GAY protestors violently barracked Justice Minister Michael McDowell yesterday as he spoke at a conference on the legal status of same-sex couples.

Up to six people, some claiming to be members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, threw a glass jug, pens, cups of water and a copy of the Irish Constitution at Mr McDowell in what he described as a “mini-riot.”

The protestors attempted to shout down the Minister for 10 minutes, chanting “shame, shame” and anti-gay remarks.

The demonstrators were removed by officials after being slow-hand-clapped by members of the audience, which included senior legal figures from Canada, Spain, the UK and the Netherlands who were in Dublin to discuss the future for gay partnerships and cohabiting couples.

Gardaí were called to the incident at Dublin’s Royal College of Surgeons but no arrests were made.

Mr McDowell said he was unshaken by the incident.

While acknowledging people’s right to protest the Minister said he didn’t think that the behaviour of these protestors “adds anything to the debate or mutual understanding in Irish society”.

“The point is that the gay and lesbian community are full members of our society. People can have moral views of their own on homosexual behaviour, but everybody is entitled to the protection of our laws as equal citizens,” Mr McDowell said.

The Legal Status of Cohabitants and Same Sex Couples conference, by the Working Group on Domestic Partnership, the Equality Authority and Gay and Lesbian Equality Network continued after the incident.