Scientology HQ opens ... behind closed doors

Protests seek Tom Cruise ban... as FF calls it a ‘cult’

PROTESTERS yesterday called for top Scientologist Tom Cruise to be kept out of Dublin, as the alleged cult opened its HQ in the capital.

Security was tight at the unveiling of the Scientology centre in Firhouse, with the media and public being denied access to the event.

Around 30 people protested outside the complex of an organisation Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin yesterday branded a ‘cult’.

A man was arrested after he gained access to the site but was released by gardaí after being issued with an adult caution.

Despite the protest, buses ferried hundreds of international guests in and out of the complex – which has newly-laid sports pitches and a 1,100 seat auditorium – all day. Despite the large numbers at yesterday’s event, figures from last year’s census show that as few as 87 Irish residents identified as being Scientologists.

The Irish Mail on Sunday attempted to speak to some of the guests, as they left the Firhouse complex yesterday, but we were interrupted by senior Scientology members who instructed them not to speak to the media.

The leader of Scientology, David Miscavige, is believed to have formally unveiled the new site.

However, the organisation did not respond to MoS requests to confirm details of the private event.

Fiona O’Leary, who organised the protest, said she believes the organisation poses a public health threat and criticised politicians for not joining the protest.

‘I believe it [Scientology] poses a public health risk. They promote anti-vaccination, they don’t believe certain mental conditions are real, and they target vulnerable people.

‘This isn’t about Ireland, it’s about them having a European hub and I’m angry that there’s no local politicians here – even though we invited all of them,’ she said.

One politician who voiced his disquiet was Mr Martin. He branded Scientology a ‘cult’ at his party’s Ard Fheis yesterday.

‘I think these type of cults can be very damaging to people, particularly young people,’ he said at a press conference in the RDS.

The Firhouse complex is the third

‘Convicted of fraud and fined €600,000’

property to be purchased by Scientology, the other two are on Abbey Street and Merrion Square.

Scientology operates as a company limited by guarantee in Ireland and does not have charitable status here.

In 2009, a French court convicted the church of fraud, imposing a €600,000 fine and suspended sentences on four of its leaders.

The organisation has high profile members including Tom Cruise, John Travolta and musician, Beck.