Demonstration of solidarity with refugees

Up to 100 people attended a demonstration in Ashbourne on Saturday in a show of solidarity with those suffering as a result of the refugee crisis.
The demonstration, organised by Cllr Darren O’Rourke, took place at the Arkle monument on the main street.  
Collections were held of clothes, sleeping bags and other essentials which will be donated to the Dublin Calais Support Fund, which is sending a shipment to Calais later this month.
Meanwhile, Navan-based Cultúr Migrants Centre has joined the Irish Refugee Council and the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland in calling for the Irish government to respond immediately to the greatest humanitarian crisis since World War II.
“The Irish state must take a stand and demonstrate a real commitment to the human rights of refugees arriving in Europe. This in effect means increasing significantly the numbers of refugees we have agreed to relocate to Ireland,” said Sinead Smith, project manager of Cultúr.
“The German Government has stepped up to the plate and shown what governments can do when they show leadership on a humanitarian crisis such as this. As an organisation that has campaigned for the end of direct provision in Ireland and in our own backyard in Mosney, we believe that Ireland can and should provide refuge, safety and a new life for asylum seekers and refugees in Ireland in a manner that facilitates them to be part of and live in our local communities. We believe that many Irish citizens support this too,” she said.