Three resign in INOU dispute

Three senior members of the Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed have resigned in a dispute with the INOU executive which has its origins in a march to Amsterdam in June.

When the support van broke down in France, the marchers were left "virtually stranded", according to a statement by the three men. Two men, Mr Michael O'Mara from Dublin and Mr Paul Smith from Galway, resigned after they were reprimanded for public criticism of the march's organisation. A third member, Mr Con Murphy from Cork, resigned in sympathy.

The three have accused the organisation of "censorship", claiming the incident exposed the INOU's "undemocratic nature". However, the INOU says a staff member was flown out to assist the marchers who were at all times provided with adequate food and shelter.

The INOU's general secretary, Mr Mike Allen, said the "mild reprimand" reflected the fact that, as leaders of the march, it was not appropriate for them to publicly criticise its organisation. Mr Allen also rejected the charge that the INOU was undemocratic, saying that the motion was passed by elected executive members, and "I'm the only general secretary I know who has to stand for election every three years."