Speaking after today’s solidarity demonstration by workers and the ICTU on O’Connell Street, Sinn Féin spokesperson on Enterprise, Trade, and Employment, Louise O’Reilly TD, said the demonstration sent a message of sympathy and support to the victims of last week’s horrific knife attack, and also denounced the violence and riotous behaviour witnessed on the streets of our capital city.
 
Teachta O’Reilly said:
 
“The message from today’s solidarity demonstration by workers and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) was one of sympathy and support for the victims on last Thursday’s horrific knife attack. The thoughts and prayers of everyone there were, first and foremost, with the victims, their families, their school, and their community.
 
“As a gathering of workers, organised by ICTU, those in attendance also wanted to send a clear message denouncing the thuggery and robbery which took place on the streets of Dublin city centre and pay tribute to the workers who had to deal with repercussions of this – Gardaí, paramedics, firefighters, council workers, and public transport workers.
 
“This was a clear display of solidarity with emergency service workers, who were exposed to serious levels of danger last Thursday.
 
“Furthermore, the destruction of public property, public transport vehicles and the damage to businesses has left many workers in a precarious position.
 
“Some workers had to take unpaid leave on Friday as they were afraid to travel into the city for work, other workers face lay-or possibly losing their livelihood over the looting and vandalism carried out, and some businesses have lost important trading time during the Christmas period as they have had to remain closed to carry out repairs.
 
“I would call on the Minister for Enterprise to liaise with affected businesses in the city centre and make money available from the near €900m underspend of the TBESS scheme to help affected businesses with repairs.
 
“The workers demonstrating today showed the best of Dublin, and it is important not to lose sight of the fact that the actions of a thuggish minority last Thursday night do not represent workers, do not represent Dublin, and do not represent the Irish people.”