Warship's arrival violates neutrality, Dáil told

The docking of Britain’s largest warship in Dublin is a shameful violation of Irish neutrality, the Dáil heard today.

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

Sinn Féin TD Aengus O Snodaigh today told the Dáil that the visit was totally unacceptable.

“(It is) one of the largest warships in the British Navy, and the hosting here of this warship, which played a key role in Britain’s illegal invasion of Iraq, and the presence on this island or in its ports, airports, seas and skies of any part of the British military apparatus while the British military occupation of the Six Counties and of Iraq continues, and the Government’s shameful invitation to the warship to come here which is in gross violation of the principle of Irish neutrality,” he said.

The TD raised the issue under Standing Order 31 before the Order of Business.

Independent TD Finian McGrath shouted ’warmongers’ across the chamber as Mr O Snodaigh was speaking.

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 Barrett, 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 Mr McGrath, are to speak at the protest, as well as a Sinn Fein 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.”