Thousands queue outside embassy to cast their vote

IRELAND: Up to 14,000 Poles queued outside the Polish embassy on Ailesbury Road in Dublin for several hours yesterday to vote in their home country's national elections.

The predominantly young crowd, most appearing to be under the age of 35, began queuing from 5.30am, with the queues peaking in the mid-afternoon. At that time, voters were waiting for up to three hours and lines stretched for several hundred metres in both directions down Ailesbury Road and around the corner on to Merrion Road.

The embassy had to open polls both at the embassy headquarters and at the ambassador's residence on the opposite side of Ailesbury Road to cope with the crowds.

Despite the long wait faced by many voters, gardaí on duty said the crowds were good natured and the only discord came from local motorists who were annoyed by the heavy traffic in the area.

Even those who turned out to vote yesterday were taken aback by the huge volume of people willing to wait hours to cast their votes. "I'm very surprised that so many people came here, but it shows that they care what happens in Poland. I am going to go back to Poland, so I care what happens now and what might happen," said Jack Lehmann (26).

Poland had been through a difficult period, Mr Lehmann said, but he would like to see the incumbents re-elected.

"I think everybody should give them a second chance; I don't think it's the right time to swap, they still have work to do."

Anna Oleszak (25) also said she intended to return to Poland in the coming years, but she would like to see a regime change. "I would like to see the PO [ Civic Platform] in power; I'm not satisfied with the present government," she said.

"I know it is not possible to change everything at once, but I would like to see someone else have a chance."

Miroslaw Suski (44) and his wife Beata (43) did not intend to live in Poland in the foreseeable future, but still believed it was important to vote in Polish elections.

"We intend to spend the rest of our lives in European countries and it is important that all European partners have wise parties to deal with. I would like to see in Poland the more liberal wing of politics in power," said Mr Suski, who works in hotel management.

"I want change as soon as possible. Poland needs economic change - it is most important for our nation," he added.

Voting was also brisk at the Nasc Irish Immigrant Support Centre in Cork yesterday, Olivia Kelleher in Cork adds.

By 11am, Poles who had travelled from as far away as Tipperary formed an orderly queue outside the city-centre venue.

Malgorzata Czarnomysy (25), who lives in Carrigtwohill, Co Cork, and works at a medical device factory, said many Polish people felt there was little point in returning to their native country unless there was a dramatic change in government.

"We can't go back to Poland. I had friends who went back to Poland six months ago to open a business and they gave up because of all the steps you had to take," she said.

"They had to fight the government at every turn. I am here in Ireland three years and I have a good life. I had to work two jobs in Poland to have good money."