Protestors to gather for warship's arrival

Anti-war protesters are to stage a demonstration at the arrival of Britain’s largest warship in Dublin today.

The HMS Ocean is expected to dock in the capital for a series of informal events including a reception for a British brewery looking to export to Ireland.

The Irish Anti-War Movement (IAWM) described the visit as sickening and said it made a mockery of Irish claims on neutrality.

It expects hundreds of people to turn out in protest at the visit because of the ship’s role in the invasion of Iraq.

The military vessel was central to the assault on southern Iraq in the first three days of the 2003 invasion.

“This is a ship that has been used to export death to Iraq and occupy an entire nation,” said Richard Boyd Barret, protest organiser and IAWM chairman.

“Are we to witness the obscene spectacle of people toasting the murder and mayhem this ship has inflicted on innocent men, women and children?”

Demonstrators will gather at the famine memorial near the Irish Financial Services Centre at 6pm before marching along the docks to the ship for a rally.

At least two TDs, The Green Party’s John Gormley and independent Finian McGrath, are to speak at the protest, as well as a Sinn Féin representative.

Roger Cole of the Peace and Neutrality Alliance and Brendan Butler of NGO Peace Alliance will also address the rally.

The decision to facilitate the British Royal Navy ship, alongside the use of Shannon airport by the US military, was further evidence of the Government’s support for the war, according to the IAWM.

“An estimated 150,000 Iraqis are dead and Iraqi society has been absolutely devastated as a result of the US/UK invasion and occupation,” said Mr Barrett.

“Any vessel that participated in the slaughter in Iraq or that is linked to the military machine responsible can only be described as a terrorist ship. It should not be allowed into an Irish port.”