SINN Féin’s Séighin Ó Ceallaigh has condemned Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael councillors in Limerick for selecting Peter Casey to run for the Presidency given his views on Ireland’s neutrality.
“This is the same Fianna Fáil whose Mayors have refused to allow motions regarding the support of Ireland’s neutrality on the Council agenda on a number of occasions. Now it appears they have backed a candidate who supports the US-led war machine known as NATO,” Cllr Ó Ceallaigh said this week.
“Ireland is supposed to be a neutral country, though we have a US military base paid for by the taxpayer in Shannon Airport. Our neutrality is something that many people are proud of. The Irish Defence Forces have played an outstanding role in the fight for peace during the numerous UN Peacekeeping missions throughout several continents. We have a reputation for being a peaceful nation, not warmongers.”
This begs the question as to whether Mr Casey, as a US-based businessman, has any dealings with the arms industry and would profit from the wars and massacres he wants Ireland to take part in?
“I would also ask which Middle-Eastern country would Mr Casey most like to see Ireland illegally invade and destroy as part of NATO? What must also be asked is why Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael voted for Mr Casey, given that his statements regarding his opposition to Irish neutrality were made weeks before he appeared before Limerick Council.
“I am proud to have abstained in the Council selection as I believe the best candidate for Limerick is a woman who lived and went to school in Limerick, and that’s our local candidate Liadh Ní Riada. Liadh and I, along with our Sinn Féin colleagues stand strongly in favour of Irish neutrality and commend the great work done by our underpaid and under respected Defence Forces both in Limerick and throughout the State,” he concluded.
