Anti-war groups across Ireland have welcomed the inauguration of “an anti-war President” in Michael D Higgins, saying it should help “further the cause of peace”.
The Galway Alliance Against War, the Irish Anti War Movement, the Peace and Neutrality Alliance, and Shannonwatch, have praised President Higgins for “consistently opposing the use of Shannon, a civilian airport, for the invasions and occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan”.
In a statement, the four groups praised President Higgins critical stance of the “apparent Irish collusion” with the US government in relation to suspected rendition flights through Shannon.
The groups also said they hope the inauguration of Michael D Higgins as president will “bring a renewed focus on the importance of Irish neutrality”, an issue he has “passionately defended throughout his political career”.
The groups said they hoped President Higgins will “continue to articulate his lifelong anti-war message. While the Irish President does not have a direct executive or policy role in Irish affairs, he nonetheless represents the people when undertaking official engagements at home and abroad.”
The statement concluded: “We are confident that President Higgins will take every opportunity to stress his own and the Irish people’s wishes for peace and justice at home and abroad. And we look forward to seeing a return to an Ireland that supports peace, not war, during his presidency.”
