THE LABOUR Party has insisted that “security concerns” led to the cancellation of a commemoration to mark its centenary due to be held in the town where the party was founded.
Labour has been accused of “hiding” by an affiliate of the United Left Alliance, which held a separate protest yesterday in Clonmel, designed to coincide with Labour’s unveiling of a plaque.
Mayor of Clonmel Cllr Darren Ryan was due to unveil the plaque at noon yesterday to commemorate the 100th anniversary of his party being founded in the town by James Connolly and Jim Larkin.
However, a spokesperson for the party said a “security concern” by gardaí prompted the rescheduling of the event. Local gardaí said they did not tell Labour to call off the ceremony – the decision was made by the mayor.
Séamus Healy TD, of the Workers and Unemployed Action Group, an affiliate of the United Left Alliance, accused the Government party of “hiding” from the protest.
Cllr Ryan said it was his decision to cancel the event and it came after fears were expressed about outside protesters, not members of the action group, jeopardising security.
“I’m a democrat and agree totally that people have a right to protest in a peaceful manner but my understanding is that some people weren’t intending on protesting in a peaceful manner,” he said. “I have a duty as mayor of the town to ensure that the people on the streets are safe and also that the building they call their town hall is safe.”
Up to 200 were due to attend the event at the town hall in Clonmel but, instead, a private ceremony was held early yesterday morning to unveil the plaque.
The Labour mayor denied the decision was made out of fears they would be outnumbered by the action group, which has five members on the local borough council compared to Labour’s one.
“The ceremony that was taking place was above any political party. It’s an historic event and I have people of all political persuasions who agree with me on that.”
Mr Healy said that, as far as the action group was concerned, there was no security risk. “It was always going to be a peaceful protest,” he said. “They’re just hiding.”
Asked if he felt guilty about Labour having to cancel the centenary event, he replied: “Absolutely not. They have nothing in common with the Labour Party that was founded here 100 years ago.”
Labour Party MEP for Ireland South Phil Prendergast said the cancellation was “upsetting” for members. “I feel that, no matter what Séamus Healy and his group think and no matter what people feel about protesting, this is a very historic occasion,” she said.
Ms Prendergast was formerly a member of the action group, as was Cllr Ryan.