Anger over alleged bid to gag military over cuts

TRADE unions and associations representing more than 100,000 public servants have reacted angrily to an alleged attempt to gag the military and prevent it from joining with an alliance fighting pay cuts proposed by the McCarthy report.

PDFORRA, the Defences Forces’ representative body, claims it was ordered by Minister Willie O’Dea to withdraw its representation from the 24/7 Frontline Services Alliance – an umbrella group which includes nurses, firemen, gardaí, prison officers, ambulance personnel and members of SIPTU.

More than 1,000 people who packed a meeting at the Silverspings Hotel in Cork last night heard widespread condemnation of the “gagging” move.