Statement from Monaghan County Council regarding access to lands at St Tiernach’s Park
Monaghan County Council has issued a statement regarding access to lands at St Tiernach's Park ahead of round 3 of the All-Ireland SFC tomorrow.
A peaceful protest by the 'Gaels against Genocide' group, who are opposed to Allianz sponsorship of the GAA due to their links with Israel, was held at the lands during last weekend's SFC round 2B match at St Tiernach's Park.
Monaghan will host Westmeath at the park tomorrow, and the Anglo-Celt understands the group are due to hold another protest; however a number of warning letters have been sent to protesters ahead of the game.
In its statement, the council says "the land in question does not have safe or appropriate access or egress and is not intended to accommodate members of the public."
"As the landowner, Monaghan County Council has a statutory responsibility to manage risk and ensure public safety. In that context, the Council has issued written clarification that this area should not be accessed."
It said it works in cooperation with An Garda Síochána and GAA partners "to support the safe and orderly management of events at St Tiernach’s Park in Clones."
"The council wishes to clarify that its involvement in this matter relates solely to a section of council-owned land adjacent to the stadium which is not designated for public access and is not suitable for pedestrian use."
"No request for access to this area was received, and no permission was granted by the council.
"For the avoidance of doubt, the council’s actions do not relate to the substance or purpose of any protest activity, nor do they seek to prevent lawful protest."
"The Council fully respects the right to peaceful protest, which must be exercised in locations that are safe and appropriate for public use."
The statement said "any suggestion that the council is seeking to interfere with or restrict protest activity is not correct".
"The actions taken are proportionate, necessary, and based solely on public safety considerations."
Statement from Monaghan County Council regarding access to lands at St Tiernach’s Park
In a statement, the Gaels against Genocide group said: "Gaels of conscience have the right and indeed a duty to show their opposition to Allianz, a global insurance giant that has invested in Israeli ‘war bonds’ and was among only 48 companies named in a UN report, as contributing to the economy of genocide."
The group have said they are "dismayed" at attempts to "effectively shut the protest down by barring access over a narrow strip of land."
"The peaceful protestors have written permission from the landowner to use the field and the owner is opposed to the involvement of Allianz in the GAA. Allianz must be held to account, not promoted through our Association."