May Day weekend – Celebrations should not be tarnished

Tomorrow should be a day of celebration — not confrontation.

The majority of Irish people want to enjoy a peaceful May Day weekend rather than a holiday marred by protest. That should be taken on board by anti-globalisation protesters, be they genuinely concerned individuals or violent anarchists, as Ireland approaches the climax of its European presidency by welcoming ten new member states to the EU club.

The last thing people want is troublemakers fomenting violence on the streets of our cities and towns.

Such wishes equally apply equally to the security forces. Even though tomorrow will see the largest deployment of gardaí in Dublin since the 1979 visit of Pope John Paul II, a relatively low-key scenario should be the objective.

The gardaí can ill-afford a recurrence of last year’s debacle when some members of the force lost the run of themselves, cutting loose as demonstrators staged a ‘Reclaim the Streets’ protest.

Nor, however, can gardaí afford to ignore intelligence reports that as many as 300 armed and potentially violent protesters are expected here for the May Day weekend, intent on infiltrating events.

Hence the intensive security operation, involving 5,000 gardaí and 2,500 soldiers, being mounted in Dublin, as 25 EU heads of state gather over the weekend.

To guard against terrorism, the army bomb disposal unit will be on duty and the Navy will patrol Dublin Bay. Water cannons have also been borrowed from the North’s police force.

In case of violent street protests, the authorities have moved 100 prisoners from Cloverhill Prison to nearby Wheatfield Prison so emergency cells will be ready if needed. A special court will also be on standby.

Meanwhile, conjuring up scenes of running battles and mayhem on the streets, the riot squad will back up frontline gardaí if, as feared, violence erupts.

Dire warnings have been given of protesters equipped with crash helmets, body armour, and weapons such as hammers, crowbars, screwdrivers, bleach, and even crude electronic devices capable of triggering incendiary devices. It would be folly not to ensure the safety of gardaí in the face of this array of weaponry. While the majority of protests will be legitimate and peaceful, the risk of disturbances cannot be discounted.

Indeed, the appearance of three English anti-globalisation protestors before a Dublin court provided a graphic illustration of the need for vigilance during tomorrow’s midday protest march from the Central Bank to Heuston Station.

Legitimate peaceful protests must be allowed to go ahead and should be seen as a symbol of the maturity of our democracy.

Above all, however, this weekend should be a time of celebration to mark the entry into the EU of 10 new member-states.

From Dublin to Budapest, Ljubljana, Riga and beyond, the mood will be one of joy tinged with anticipation, especially in former Soviet states still grappling with fledging democracies.

Symbolised by gala concerts, parties, and fireworks across the Continent, Europe is witnessing an extraordinary merging of diverse cultures and also enhancing its unification as the world’s largest trading bloc.

It would be a travesty if the hopes and dreams of millions of people throughout Europe were tarnished by violent protests on the streets of a nation that has gained so much from the EU.