TURN UP AND WE’LL CANCEL THE PARADE, GROUP TOLD
Repeal the Eighth group in Dromahair told days before parade they ‘were the talk of the town’
A group of Repeal the Eighth campaigners say the organisers of the Dromahair St Patrick’s Day Parade threatened to cancel the event if they showed up with an information stall.
Spokeswoman Bernie Linnane says they didn’t turn up following the threat and says her group views the situation as an affront to freedom of speech.
“We weren’t part of the parade and just merely wanted to set up our stall which we have frequently done in Manorhamilton and Carrick-on-Shannon and these people have no right to tell us we cannot stand in the street. The issue is quite a simple one. It’s not about being pro or anti the forthcoming amendment it is an issue whether a committee can force a group of women off the street.” She said the group intended going along to the Dromahair and Drumkeeran parades held in the evening but learned days in advance that the organising committees weren’t happy.
“A Dromahair committee member told me they had a vote to cancel the parade if we turned up,”
A Sligo woman has warmly welcomed a new voting system which will allow those who are visually impaired vote in secrecy for the first time.
It will be used for the first time in the forthcoming referendum on the 8th amendment.
The Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government has produced a tactile ‘ ballot paper template’, taking on board design recommendations from the National Council for the Blind of Ireland.
The template is a clear plastic device which is placed over the ballot paper and features raised lettering, large print and braille.
It also has cut out sections to assist people to find where to mark their vote. The templates will be available at every polling station around the country.
Jackie McBrearty from Maugheraboy, says that for the first time in twenty six years she will be able to vote independently and in secret.
“Having a secret ballot is such a basic right and I’m looking forward to being empowered as I carry out my civic duty as a member of Irish society.”
Templates will be available at NCBI offices nationwide for people who would like to try them out in advance of the referendum. Contact NCBI for further information on 01 8307033 or www.ncbi.ie
There are 846 people with sight loss in County Sligo. A landmark High Court case taken by Dublin man Robbie Sinnott, who is vision impaired, cleared the way for a tactile mechanism to be used to allow people who are blind or visually impaired exercise their franchise independently.
Chris White CEO of the NCBI said: “This is an historic year for people who are blind or vision impaired. Up to now their vote was not secret, they had to discuss their choice with somebody else and they could not even be sure that their preferred vote went into the ballot box. This situation was never acceptable to the NCBI and we are delighted that our recommendations have been taken on board.”