THE employers' organisation, IBEC, has lent its support to peace demonstrations throughout the country this weekend, but has not gone further than suggesting that employers support the demonstrations and stresses that in areas of Sunday working discretion is being left to employers.
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions and farming organisations have also backed the rallies, scheduled for 3 p.m. on Sunday. The ICMSA is urging farmers and their families to take part in local rallies and SIPTU has called on its members to "stand up for nonviolence".
Sunday has been designated an "international day of solidarity for peace in Ireland", with simultaneous marches planned for Dublin, Belfast, London, Warrington and New York.
Marches will be also held at venues throughout Ireland, including Cork, Letterkenny, Tipperary town, Athlone, Bray, Dundalk, Castlebar and Limerick. Other towns are urged to organise their own parades,
Marchers have been asked to wear white ribbons, but party political banners have been banned. Messages of condolence for the victims of the London bombings will be collected from the marchers. These will be presented later to the families of the victims.
The Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Donald Caird, has asked for special prayers for peace in all Church of Ireland churches on Sunday. Church bells will also be rung at 3 p.m. as a gesture of support to the peace rallies.
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