Warship should not be welcomed to Dublin

TOMORROW (June 29), a British Navy warship, HMS Ocean, is due to arrive in Dublin on what is termed a ‘courtesy visit’.

HMS Ocean is the largest warship in the Royal Navy and it played a prominent role in the invasion of Iraq in 2003.

A great deal of attention has been focused over the past few years on US involvement in the invasion and occupation of Iraq, and British participation has received much less emphasis.

In a sense, this is understandable because Tony Blair seems content to be the minor partner in the Bush administration’s imperial wars, but the participation of British troops is real and must be opposed. It is a disgrace that a ship of war, such as HMS Ocean, is being welcomed into Dublin port. Anti-War Ireland is asking people to oppose this visit. Its presence is as unwelcome as the US military and CIA personnel who regularly trundle through Shannon airport.

Moreover, during its time in Dublin it appears that soldiers from the Royal Irish Regiment will hold onboard ‘regimental awareness’ sessions. It is difficult to view these as anything other than covert attempts to recruit young Irish people into the British army. This is not acceptable. Anti-War Ireland asks people to join their protest tomorrow at 6pm at the Famine memorial near the Financial Services Centre in Dublin.

Fintan Lane

Anti-War Ireland

Palmerstown

Dublin 20