Galway East Fianna Fáil TD Noel Treacy has condemned an attack on his constituency office last night that resulted in broken windows and a damaged door.

Gardaí are investigating the incident at Mr Treacy’s constituency office in Athenry, Co Galway.

The damage to double-glazed windows and the front door was discovered by two staff members shortly after 9am today. Mr Treacy said it appeared to be a “frenzied” attack, and he believed a heavy device must have been used to cause the damage.

The former junior minister for science and technology said that he would not be “intimidated” by such actions, which he believed to be politically motivated.

– Irish Times

5:30pm – 1% network meeting at Wolfe Tone statue and marching to Dail

7pm – Right To Work (SWP) meeting at Garden of Remembrance and marching to Daul

Aine Brad’s constituency office in Cellbridge sprayed with ‘FF SCUM’ on front window.

Students have ended a sit-in outside the vice-chancellor’s office at Queen’s University in protest at proposals to increase tuition fees. About 50 protesters said they were seeking a meeting with Vice-Chancellor Peter Gregson.

One of those taking part, Gerry Carrol, said they wanted the vice-chancellor to “explain why he thinks students should have to pay £9,000 in fees”.

QUB Students’ Union said the protest was independent of any action by them.

Union president Gareth McGreevy said: “Queen’s Students’ Union acknowledges the right for peaceful protests and the choice to do so. “This protest was independent of any action currently ongoing by Queen’s Students’ Union. “Queen’s Students’ Union will continue their campaign as well as negotiating with politicians, the university, students and all stakeholders in relation to the current Higher Education funding debate.”

The campaign group FEE (Free Education for Everyone) said it had organised the protest which lasted about three hours.

– BBC News

Students have occupied the main building at Queen’s University as part of a protest against tuition fees. The group, led by Free Education for Everyone (FEE), filled the Belfast university’s Lanyon Building on Tuesday afternoon.

Organisers say they want to align themselves with similar demonstrations which are being staged across the UK and in the Republic of Ireland.

Chris Loughlin, one of the students taking part in the rally, says university fees are already too high.

“I’m already paying £3,000 in tuition fees studying at Queen’s at the moment, so I think fees of £9,000 would be an absolute disgrace,” he told UTV. “Like people in the south who occupied university buildings down there, we’re protesting and standing in solidarity with them, and with students in England, Scotland and Wales.”

– UTV News

Keep up to date with QUB FEE here.

Monday, December 6.
Meet at 10am at llege gates closest to Baker’s.

Organised by FEE IADT. Facebook event here.

A campaign against social welfare cuts and the attack on the unemployed by the Government got underway in Cork earlier today with an occupation by 100 people of Anglo-Irish Bank. Arising from a march opposing the looming cuts, the Social Welfare Defence Campaign arrived at Anglo-Irish and proceeded to occupy the front reception of the Bank.

The new campaign, Cork Social Welfare Defenders, assembled at the dole office in Cork and then marched down Patrick Street, Patrick’s Quay and onto the City Hall.

– WSM

Students staged a protest in sub-zero temperatures outside Anglo Irish Bank in Galway yesterday over the deal agreed by the Government with the IMF and the ECB, writes Lorna Siggins.

The group from the Galway branch of the Free Education for Everyone group also attempted to occupy Anglo’s premises, but were prevented by private security. Gardaí monitoring the demonstration said the event was peaceful. Galway group spokesman Joe Loughnane said the protest was being held in solidarity with workers and in opposition to the bank bailouts.

– The Irish Times

A GROUP of students protested yesterday at Anglo Irish Bank in Galway city, calling for a bailout of students and workers rather than bankers.

Organiser Joe Loughnane of Free Education for Everyone (FEE) said the protest was being held by third level students in solidarity with workers. They were particular angry that the Pension Reserve Fund had been “given away” in the deal done with the IMF and the ECB..

“We are demanding a general election before the Budget. The austerity package attacks the most vulnerable while refusing to hold those who created the crisis responsible,” he said.

Calling for an end to ”cronyism and corruption”, Mr Loughnane claimed the government plan would “halt access to education in the coming years and depreciate the country’s great resource–its people”.

– Irish Independent

Dail hit by paintbombs after ICTU protest on N27

2. Union leaders in rallying call for mass protest

Mr Begg added that he did not believe the march would be violent and emphasised that 200 stewards would oversee the “family-friendly” event that would also have entertainment and music. – Irish Independent.

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Meanwhile, a number of Facebook events have sprung up urging people to march to the Dail tomorrow instead of listening to the ICTU speeches.

1. To the dail

Wood Quay to GPO??!!
There’s a thin line between Iceland and Ireland.
Don’t be sheep again.March to the Dail.
Those seats belong belong to YOU.

–

2. We Have the Power! National Demonstration

Im not sure why they are going to the GPO when it’s clear that the Dail is where we need to be and i’m hoping that an organic gathering of hundreds of thousands of people will naturally gravitate towards there anyway.