Latest news with #CarolineWinstanley
Irish Independent
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Motion calling for cessation of Israeli bonds passed by Wicklow County Council
They also urge the Central Bank to 'cease all regulatory oversight of these financial instruments, which currently supports continued violence and destruction'. A year has passed since Ireland officially recognised the state of Palestine, and nearly two years since the beginning of Israel's ongoing military campaign in Gaza. The motion brought forward by Social Democrats Cllr Caroline Winstanley was seconded by independent Cllr Tom Fortune, urges the Irish Government to 'take a stand and ensure that our country plays no role in facilitating further violence or injustice in the region'. There was universal support of the motion from elected members during the monthly meeting on Monday afternoon. Independent Cllr Gerry O'Neill said the time was right for the council to lend its voice to the cause, citing the chamber's refusal to support his previous motion in November 2023 which called for the removal of the Israeli ambassador to Ireland Danna Erlich. Labour Cllr Paul O'Brien praised the work that went in to drafting the motion. 'The country has already stepped up to the mark and we will continue to respond with an open heart and mind,' he added. Cllr John Snell said the world is watching and there is little that we can do but we can use our voices. 'This is a genocide with people in power refusing to support the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador. It's important we support the people suffering on the ground but collectively we need to do more.' Social Democrats Cllr Danny Alvey commended his party colleague Cllr Winstanley for bringing forward the motion. 'We must keep speaking out and show the world the violence is not acceptable.' Activists in support of the move were present in the chamber when the vote was passed.
Irish Independent
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Bray Air Display drops US sponsor over Israel support in Gaza war
Bray People Bray Air Display has dropped US defence and aerospace manufacturer Lockheed Martin as a sponsor for this year's event over the company's supply of arms support to Israel in the Gaza war. Lockheed Martin is a major supplier of military hardware to Israel and its facilities have been subjected to protests in both the UK and US. Local Social Democrats councillor Caroline Winstanley raised the issue with Wicklow County Council, concerned over the impact of such an organisation being involved with the county's biggest family event of the year. Speaking on Tuesday evening, having learned that the Bray Air Display organisers had dropped Lockheed Martin, she said: 'I am pleased that following my representations, Wicklow County Council, to their credit, engaged with the organisers of the air show, which has now resulted in this very positive outcome. 'The decision to drop this company from the list of sponsors is more than just a symbolic gesture. While it sends a powerful message of solidarity to the people of Gaza, it will hopefully encourage the government to take real action against Israel.' Providing more background to her calls for this move, the Bray West councillor added: 'In response to mounting public pressure, the organisers of the air show have done the right thing by dropping this company – which supplies Israel with military equipment including fighter jets and Apache helicopters – as one of the event's sponsors. 'With more than 54,000 Palestinians slaughtered by Israel since this conflict began, it is unconscionable that Bray Air Display – which brings so many families together every summer – should have any association with a company that directly profits from the genocide taking place in Gaza. 'It has also emerged that the financial contribution from Lockheed Martin to the Bray Air Display was only €5,000. "As a neutral country, we should never offer public relations platforms to major weapons manufacturers – particularly ones that are actively profiteering from Israel's war crimes. At a time when many communities across Ireland are standing up for human rights, we must ensure that public events do not become vehicles for the silent endorsement of companies that are complicit in genocide.' The Bray Air Display is due to take place on Bray's seafront on August 2.
