Pro-Palestinian protestors have demonstrated inside RTE's Dublin offices
|
30 mins ago
PRO-PALESTINIAN PROTESTORS have occupied the reception of RTE as part of a series of demonstrations during a day of action.
The small group of people, carrying Palestinian protest banners and flags, temporarily set up inside the building in Donnybrook in Dublin 4 this morning.
A number of gardaí were visible in live streams from the area and the protestors vacated the Donnybrook campus shortly after 1pm.
In one live stream shared by activist Tadgh Hickey, one protester read out a prepared statement saying that the demonstrators were 'the voice of the Palestinian people'. The statement criticised RTE and what they termed as 'mainstream media' for their coverage of the Israeli military operation in Gaza.
Advertisement
Protestors, numbering about 20, were inside the reception area – one of the banners read 'this is no longer a genocide, it is an extermination'.
The group left the RTE campus accompanied by gardaí shortly after 1.30pm.
There was a similar protest in Belfast where protestors marched on the BBC offices in the city.
When contacted a garda spokesman said there was no record of a protest.
It is understood that a number of locations across Dublin will be the focus of the day of action including the Dáil and other State agencies.
This is a breaking news story and we will follow up with updates.
Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article.
Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.
Learn More
Support The Journal
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Tanaiste Simon Harris announces €4million aid package for Palestinian children during ‘window of hope'
TANAISTE Simon Harris has announced a €4million funding package for Palestinian children during what he has called a 'window of hope". The package includes €3million for children's education, €700,000 to human rights organisations and €300,000 to support services and vulnerable families. 2 Tanaiste Simon Harris has announced a €4million funding package for Palestinian children Credit: © 2025 PA Media, All Rights Reserved The Tanaiste speaking earlier today, said: "The funding I am announcing today will help deliver access to education at a time when so many children's lives are being destroyed by this catastrophic war." Harris said this announcement brings Ireland's support of the This package comes following warnings by the Tanaiste that the next few days represent a 'window of hope for delivering a ceasefire'. Neale Richmond, Minister of State with responsibility for International Development and Diaspora, welcomed the news. MOST READ IN THE IRISH SUN He said: "Ireland is supporting Palestinian and Israeli organisations to defend human rights at a time when they are under immense pressure." The funds will be used to train teachers, provide school materials and rebuild schools that have been damaged or destroyed. During the announcement, Tanaiste He said: "Our support for schools is a critical part of Ireland's longstanding partnership with Palestine. In Gaza, our ongoing support for UNRWA continues to deliver vital remote learning to almost 300,000 children living in a war zone. MOST READ IN THE IRISH SUN 'Since Israel launched a military operation in the West Bank in January, more than 40,000 people have been displaced. It is vital that the international community maintains its focus on the violence and displacement occurring in the West Bank.' Hopeful regarding future peace talks, he added: 'I welcome the indications of potential peace-talks, which I discussed at length this week with the Prime Minister of Qatar, who was is playing a leading role in the ceasefire efforts. 'It is vital now that all parties do everything they can to find a way forward and put these peace-talks on a formal footing.' 2 The funding will be used to train teachers, provide school materials and rebuild damaged buildings Credit: AFP or licensors
The Journal
an hour ago
- The Journal
Dáil told government has ‘betrayed' students amid calls for clarification on college fees
SOCIAL DEMOCRATS TD Jennifer Whitmore has told the Dáil that the government has 'betrayed' families and students amid calls for clarification on college fees. The student contribution fee has been temporarily reduced for the past three years as part of cost-of-living packages accompanying the budget. The fees had been €3,000 before being temporarily reduced to €2,000 euros. But last week, Higher Education Minister James Lawless said that a cost-of-living package will not form part of Budget 2026, meaning the temporary drop in the student contribution fee would 'reset' and revert back to €3,000 per academic year. 'All of us in any walk of life have to play the hands we're dealt,' Lawless told RTÉ on Sunday. Higher Education Minister James Lawless Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo He added: 'If I don't have a cost-of-living package. I can't do those kind of measures that were done last year.' Opposition politicians have been criticising the mooted increase and have repeatedly asked the Government to give clarity to parents ahead of the upcoming academic year. 'Bombshell' Speaking in the Dáil today during Leaders' Questions, Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore said Lawless had 'dropped a bombshell' and called on the government to 'level with parents and students'. She added that Lawless's comments on 'playing the hands we're dealt' were 'utterly galling' and 'incredibly tone-deaf'. Whitmore also said that Lawless had 'actively stacked the deck' against students and families and 'essentially told them to suck it up'. She added that people 'believed promises in the Programme for Government to reduce student fees' and they have been 'betrayed'. 'They don't have this money down the back of a sofa. They'll have to scrimp and save and sacrifice to cover this increase, do you not understand that Minister?' Whitmore asked Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe, who was taking Leaders' Questions. File image of Jennifer Whitmore Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Donohoe however hit out at Whitmore for saying the government had 'stacked the deck' against students. He added that supports are available and that over 140,000 students benefit from Free-Fees and that 60,000 students benefit from lower forms of student contribution fees. 'All of that is in place because of our desire to ensure supports are in place to help,' said Donohoe. He added that as the government works to move towards a 'normal budget', the government will also look at how progress can be made on the affordability and access to higher and further education. Donohoe also remarked that the student contribution fee would be 'outlined' in October's budget. Advertisement However, Whitmore said Donohoe was 'clearly not listening to what parents and students are saying'. 'They believed you when you said your government would continue to reduce student fees, it really couldn't be any simpler,' said Whitmore. 'Will parents be paying €2,000 in September, or €3,000?' Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Donohoe said he was providing a 'clear and honest answer' and that the government 'has to make decisions as part of our budget process so we can ensure that the changes that we make are affordable, sustainable, and can be built upon in the years ahead'. He added: 'We'll be in a position to give a clear answer to that when our budgetary work is done.' Government 'all over the place' Earlier, Donohoe had been pressed on the issue by Sinn Féin's Matt Carthy, who said the government was 'all over the place'. Carthy said he had 'one simple question, when students get their bill in September will they be paying €2,000 or €3,000?' However, Donohoe began by remarking that the question provided an opportunity to 'outline what the government is already doing'. He said half of students are supported through the SUSI grant (Student Universal Support Ireland) and that the threshold has been increased by 15% to ensure more students can avail of it. He added that the grant is now also available to students in part-time or hybrid education. Donohoe said the budgets put in place measures for students that 'we know is affordable and that we can build upon in the years ahead'. He added that there is a need to 'look at other measures' following the temporary reduction in student contribution fees. 'Your question may have been brief but the answer to it is longer, outlining the supports and the difference that we already make and we want to build upon,' said Donohoe. Sinn Féin's Matt Carthy Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo However, Carthy said a line of minister have been 'unable to answer a simple question'. 'They don't want to hear what politicians are planning to do in the future, I'll ask you one more time, are fees going to be €2,000 or will they be higher? 'Come down from your ivory tower and answer that question.' Donohoe replied that 'it is exactly because this issue of life-defining for so any that the government already has supports in place that you will never acknowledge'. He added that the government is 'interested in solutions rather than soundbites' and that the answer is 'the same as the answer that has been given at any other points in recent years'. 'It's an issue that has to be decided budget-by-budget and this government wants to help in a permanent way and we will outline our answer to that serious question, as we will with many others, when the budget is complete.' Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Times
2 hours ago
- Irish Times
College fees: Students and parents feel ‘betrayed' by prospect of contribution charge rising
Students and their parents cannot wait until October's budget to find out how much the student contribution charge will be for the upcoming academic year, the Dáil has heard. Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore told Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe members of the public believed a promise in the programme for government about reducing college fees 'and they have been betrayed'. Ms Whitmore was speaking as the controversy over whether students would have to pay €2,000 or €3,000 in September was raised in the Dáil for the third day running. The student contribution was €3,000 but was reduced to €2,000 as a temporary cost-of-living measure and then rolled over for two more years. Sinn Féin justice spokesman Matt Carthy said Mr Donohoe was the fifth minister who had failed to clarify what level of fees would have to be paid. He said Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Simon Harris, Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless and Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers had not been able to do so. READ MORE 'Between you all you cannot answer the most simple question,' he said. Mr Lawless sparked the controversy when he told RTÉ radio on Sunday that without a cost-of-living package in the budget, students would have to pay €3,000 'as things stand'. The issue has sparked divisions between Coalition partners Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. In the Dáil on Wednesday, Mr Lawless said he was 'fighting within the resources available' for 'the best possible outcome' within the budgetary process. On Thursday, Mr Carthy said the 'same question that's being anxiously asked in kitchen tables all around the country' was whether the fee would be €2,000 or €3,000 and that an answer was needed. Jennifer Whitmore TD: 'Families cannot budget like that.' Photograph: Sam Boal/Collins Mr Donohoe, however, outlined that 143,000 students and their families benefit from free fees while 60,000 benefit from lower fees. He said there was further investment in student facilities and in helping to improve the quality of education. He said 'budget by budget, we make changes that we believe are affordable' and the Government will adopt measures that are affordable, 'that we know we can fund, that we know we can build upon'. [ Coalition sharply divided over third-level fees Opens in new window ] Mr Donohoe said Mr Lawless, Mr Chambers and himself 'are very clear' that following 'temporary measures' when inflation was 'so high', they were looking at 'other measures that can make a difference'. Ms Whitmore said: 'I'm really astonished that you think it is okay to tell families, 'wait until the budget and we'll clarify matters for you'. That is four months away and families cannot budget like that.' The Minister said 'those families also have other needs and issues' they want progress on and Government has to make affordable and sustainable decisions. Mr Carthy called on the Minister to 'come down from your ivory tower and answer the question' about fees. Mr Donohoe told him the difference between those in Government and Mr Carthy is 'we are interested in solutions rather than sound bites'.
