Presidential candidate Catherine Connolly’s visit to Limerick took a dramatic turn as she was interrupted by Enoch Burke this Saturday afternoon.
Ms Connolly, the current frontrunner in the race to the Áras, was speaking at a demonstration on Bedford Row this Saturday, October 18, as part of her campaign stop in the Treaty City.
The demonstration, organised by the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (ISPC), is a weekly occurrence in Limerick city.
Her arrival was met with applause by the gathered crowds, but only moments after she began speaking, she was interrupted by Enoch Burke and his companions.
The Mayo native spent over a year in prison after repeatedly showing up at a secondary school after being ordered by the courts to stay away.
He has been vocally against transgender rights, refusing to follow the school’s directions to refer to a student by a different pronoun.
Mr Burke appeared to raise his voice at Ms Connolly over the crowd’s chants of “Free, free Palestine” and “Shame, shame, shame on you.”
He told Ms Connolly “I am a victim because of your gender ideology” and “we need our religious beliefs in this country.”
Individuals, including Limerick politicians and event organisers, placed themselves in between the pair.
Mr Burke was guided away from the demonstration, though some individuals opposing the demonstration remained.
Ms Connolly then emerged from the circle of people shielding her from the heated throng and continued to speak, saying: “Everyone in this country deserves to be listened to and respected.”
She spoke on the importance of the peace process and thanked the protesters for demonstrating every Saturday: “What you’ve done for us is keeping the pressure on politicians and the government in relation to the genocide in Palestine.”
Ms Connolly then added: “In relation to what’s just happened, I have no difficulty listening to anyone. That’s the role of a politician, to listen with dignity and respect.”
She emphasised, though, that people must “respect the person that’s listening and do it in a kind way and not impose their voices on other people in the manner that it’s been done.”
The heated energy continued throughout the gathering, with many people continuing to protest against the demonstration.
The Limerick Voice’s first attempt to interview Councillor Elisa O’Donovan, Social Democrats, was interrupted by some of these individuals.
In response to their confrontations, Cllr O’Donovan said she was there to support the demonstrators who are there every week, as well as to show her support for Catherine Connolly.
“She has been such an honest, authentic voice for the people of Galway and I think she’s gonna do the same thing for the whole of Ireland,” she told the individuals.
On the second – and more successful – attempt at speaking to Cllr Elisa O’Donovan, she spoke of the importance of Ms Connolly’s presence at today’s demonstration.
“That she has chosen to visit Limerick a week out from the election shows what an important city and county it is for her” She emphasised.
She said: “The fact that she chose to come to the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign demonstration to speak shows her commitment to the Palestinian people.
“Catherine has shown us exactly the type of leader we need… just standing up for human rights, standing up for peace and standing up for justice.”
Advocate Natasha O’Brien was another well-known face showing her solidarity with the Palestinian people at today’s demonstration.
She said: “It is absolutely incredible to have Catherine Connolly here today in Limerick.”
She described Ms Connolly as “a beacon of light and such an incredible role model for the Irish people, she is the best of us.”
She went on to say that: “She has the potential to lead Ireland with humility, empathy and total grace.”
“I admire her so much, she is an incredible woman,” she added.
“My vote is going to be with Catherine Connolly, I just feel there is no better representative of the country of Ireland,” Ms O’Brien divulged.
She finished by urging voters to “Educate yourself because your vote is your voice.”
Recent polls suggest that Catherine Connolly, who is backed by several opposition parties, is in the lead in the presidential election, which will take place this Friday, October 24.
