FF rejects school protest abuse claim

FIANNA FÁIL has denied allegations that its supporters were involved in intimidation and verbal abuse of a group of protesters campaigning for a new Gaelscoil in Clonmel.

However, parents are said to be taking legal action after incidents last Saturday in the town during a visit by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, amid claims that at least one small child was reduced to tears by Fianna Fáil canvassers.

Parents and staff from the Gaelscoil — who have been campaigning for a new building for the last 13 years — have denied counter-claims that members of their group were themselves acting in an aggressive way on Saturday.

“I’m still reeling from it,” parents’ council chairwoman Marian O’Brien said. “It was very upsetting.”

A group of about 40 parents and children from the school protested outside the Main Guard in Clonmel on Saturday, carrying posters and chanting “cá bhfuil ár scoil” (where is our school).

According to Ms O’Brien, one junior infant pupil started crying after a woman shouted “you’re a disgrace” into her face. “I saw it happening and I went over to her and she was shouting at me. She said we were anti-Fianna Fáil.”

She said that Fianna Fáil members, who were gathered to welcome the Taoiseach, continued to try to speak to the children “in that fashion” and that there was a lot of pushing and shoving after parents council members tried to form a cordon to protect the pupils. “I had no idea that people would behave in that way.”

Gaelscoil Principal Treasa Nic Diarmada also said that a four-year-old child “was reduced to tears” during the protest. “I was told I was an elitist snob.”

Both Ms Nic Diarmada and Ms O’Brien confirmed that at least one set of parents was considering legal action as a result of the alleged incidents.

However, a Fianna Fáil spokesperson said yesterday the party wasn’t aware “of any of our supporters being abusive towards protesters” and said that the party respected the right of everyone to protest.

The Gaelscoil contingent decided on Friday to take their grievances to the Taoiseach’s visit after receiving an official letter which promised to examine their quest for a school site, “with a view to” securing a location by the end of the year.

They regarded this commitment as vague, and were also upset that the local county council voted last week not to allow the Gaelscoil to develop their new building on a site at a planned business park outside the town.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern did meet a delegation after Saturday’s protest and, according to Ms Nic Diarmada, gave a verbal commitment to look into the matter. “We appreciated the fact that he was meeting us.”

The Gaelscoil has been located in rented accommodation for the last 13 years.

Fianna Fáil said Mr Ahern gave a “personal commitment” to the school principal and parents’ association, that a site would be found “as soon as possible”.