Fitzgerald bows to Dublin building workers

On Tuesday last November 5th, the workforce of T. G. Crampton Setanta site in Dublin, with the notable exception of the foremen and the Official Republicans there, walked off the site in a protest march to Leinster House (Dail Eireann). They were demanding that the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Garret Fitzgerald, intervene with the British Government on behalf of Frank Stagg, then thirty three days on hunger strike in an English jail. The following is a report from one of the men working on the site:

“We marched down Nassau Street and up Grafton Street just as middle class diners were emerging with full bellies from expensive restaurants. A better contrast with the hunger strike of Frank Stagg could not be found. Many people asked us what the protest was about.

On reaching Stephen’s Green we ‘were joined at the front by three ‘motor cycle police who appeared determined to go to Leinster House “with us. We continued down Merrion Street, though Clare St., picking up police all the way and even a couple of special branchmen who seemed to be looking for ‘‘subversives’’!

Finally we stopped at the Kildare St. entrance to Leinster House to find it well blocked with Gardai. One of our Shop Stewards, Tommy Ennis of UCATT, drew up a petition urging the Minister for Foreign Affairs to demand an end to the victimisation of marchers and was delivered by the NEETU.

petition was handed to the Dail Fitzgerald arrived to the site and spoke with the shop stewards assuring them that he was making representations to the British on Frank Stagg’s behalf.

won his victory.

Finally, out of that one brief demonstration we learned that a Frank Stagg. It was signed by all the organised.”

Tommy Ennis and Tommy Banks of Fitzgerald was not available so the superintendent. But two hours later Our success was final when we learned that evening that the hunger strike had ended and Frank Stagg had and Socialists united working class can achieve great things if we are determined and Obviously Garrett FitzGerald got a nasty scare when these workers left their place of work to march on Leinster House. This type of action has not taken place in the 26 Cos. since Bloody Sunday and the Coalitio": Government obviously feared serious repercussions if Stagg died. The spontaneous march off the site to protest at the Dail can be compared with the Belfast United Workers Group who have been organising similar type demonstrations in Belfast over the past few months. It is a very significant development and must be encouraged and supported by all militant republicans The storm of protests since the shooting dead of Hugh Coney Long Kesh Internee, has taken many forms over the last week. Marches and demonstrations organised mainly by the Belfast United Workers’

Group were big and militant. A one-day strike on the day Hugh Coney was buried was effective in all anti-Unionist areas. The Provisional 1.R.A. launched a massive offensive against the British Army and reprisals in the form of 7 soldiers dead and as many wounded took a heavy toll over the past week.

The massive solidarity and unity has succeeded in boosting the morale of the Catholic minority and shown Britain strength and determination that still exists in the anti-Unionist ghettoes.

This united action must be kept up until Britain is forced to end internment and withdraw her troops.

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united action should continue