Direct Democracy Ireland

Direct Democracy Ireland
Daonlathas Díreach Éireann
Leader Pat Greene[1]
Founder Raymond Whitehead[2]
Founded 2010
Headquarters The Old Post Office, Reaghstown, Ardee,
County Louth[2]
Ideology Direct democracy
Pure democracy
Right-wing populism[3][4][5][6]
Political position Right-wing[3][6]
Colours Blue, Green
Website
directdemocracyireland.ie

Direct Democracy Ireland (Irish: Daonlathas Díreach Éireann) is a minor political party in Ireland. It has no representation at local or national level.

Overview

Established in 2010, Direct Democracy Ireland (DDI) was registered as a political party in October 2012.[7] The organisation was founded by photographer Raymond Whitehead.[8]

The party describes itself as neither "left or right, but about balance", seeking to transform the political system from representative democracy to direct democracy. The party has three principal aims:[7]

  1. to allow citizens to petition for a referendum on any issue through the collection of a certain number of signatures.
  2. to allow for the recall of non-performing politicians.
  3. to create realistic economic policies based on public debate.

Policies and campaigns

In July 2013, Ben Gilroy and other members of the party took part in a protest at an auctioneers in Dublin in opposition to the sale of distressed property. Protesters were accused of chanting racist abuse at English staff. The auction had to be cancelled 'in the interest of public safety'.[9][10] When questioned about the slurs, party spokesperson Des McCreesh told the Irish Independent "I never heard anything like that at all".[9] The following day Gilroy was again questioned over the alleged incident on The Michael Reade Show on LMFM. Gilroy told listeners "I never said any of that [racist abuse]" adding that it would be "wrong to make reference to where [a person] is from at all" and "Direct Democracy and other people did not do that". Presenter Michael Reade then played an audio clip from inside an auction in which Gilroy can be heard telling the auctioneers to "go back to England", Gilroy can then be heard saying: "I'm putting in an objection sir, with your very fine British accent, could you take it forthwith. Leave the country, you and your like that are putting the properties here up for sale." Gilroy admitted the voice in the clip was his but denied his comments amounted to racism,[11] while his party accused radio host Michael Reade of attempting to paint Gilroy as a racist to discredit him.[12] A complaint was lodged by DDI with the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland claiming that Gilroy had been "unfairly treated" and that the LMFM show "misrepresented and created the impression that Mr. Gilroy had expressed anti-English sentiments at the auction". The complaint was rejected by the Authority.[13]

On 1 November 2013, Gilroy was arrested by Gardaí in Navan and brought before Dublin High Court to face charges over alleged contempt of orders restraining trespass on a County Kildare stud farm to which receivers have been appointed. Gilroy is accused of being part of a "mob" from the Rodolphus Allen Family Private Trust which forced receivers off the €8million stud farm.[14][15][16]

Party leadership and history

Links

A number of publications and commentators have highlighted DDI's close links to the Freemen on the land movement and the right-wing conservative Christian Solidarity Party.[3][4][17] The then leader of Direct Democracy Ireland (until 2014), Ben Gilroy, denied links to the Freeman movement when questioned about them on the Prime Time current affairs show on RTÉ and by the Irish Times.[18][19] However, on 24 October 2013 Prime Time ran a 20-minute investigative report by Rita O'Reilly which highlighted the close links between DDI, People for Economic Justice and DebtOptions Ireland to the Freeman movement.[4] The party also has formal links to the fringe lobbying group known as the National Health Federation which opposes water fluoridation, compulsory childhood vaccines and promotes unproven cancer treatments.[20][21]

The Christian Solidarity Party also took out advertisements in support of DDI. CSP candidates also included the website of Direct Democracy Ireland on their election literature.[22]

On the abortion issue, DDI says it does not accept that the government must legislate for what it describes as "the so-called X Case". It says the solution to the abortion issue "lies in asking the people" via a referendum whether or not the government has the right to legislate for abortion.[23]

In October 2015, DDI joined the Right2Change movement.[24]

National Citizens Movement

National Citizens Movement
Merged into DDI
Formation 9 August 2014 (2014-08-09)
Founder Elizabeth Hourihane
Dissolved December 2015
Type Political group
Purpose Political reform, anti-water charges
Region served
Ireland

The National Citizens Movement (NCM) was formed by Elizabeth Hourihane in Cork, on 9 August 2014 on foot of nationwide anti-water charge protests. The organisation also campaigned against HPV vaccination of schoolgirls.[25] In October 2015, NCM joined the Right2Change movement.[24] In December 2015 it merged with DDI,[26] which subsequently branded itself "Direct Democracy Ireland A National Citizens Movement".[27] Alan Lawes, NCM PRO, is running for DDI in Meath West in the 2016 general election.[26] In December 2015, DDI announced that they were "joining forces" with the National Citizens Movement,[28] an anti-water charges and anti-vaccination organisation.[25]

Split

In October 2013, Direct Democracy Ireland split, with a number of members claiming that the five-man "council" responsible for running Direct Democracy Ireland (and which could change the rules as it wished without consulting the membership) was undemocratic.[29] The leadership's alleged links with the Freeman movement and Gilroy's activities in People for Economic Justice were other reasons given for the split. Responding to the claims that the party was completely undemocratic, leader Ben Gilroy said: "We cannot be totally democratic or we’d be dead in the water. The only reason they’re bitching is they’re trying to destroy the party."[30] In February 2014, Ben Gilroy resigned as leader of DDI for 'personal reasons', resulting in Jan Van De Ven to be elected as the new leader at the annual AGM on 1 February 2014.[31]

On 28 June 2015, at an Extraordinary General meeting of the party held in the Townhouse Court Hotel in Naas, Joe Cunningham was elected as National Chairman of Direct Democracy Ireland, and Pat Greene elected as the party leader.[32][33] At the same EGM, party members voted to adopt the following mission statement: "We at Direct Democracy Ireland believe that Direct Democracy provisions are a living Political and Social process of Governance of a Nation belonging to and giving the Sovereign Irish People the inalienable right of unfettered Political Accountability, Transparency and Directability from their Elected Representatives / Politicians / Public Officials at Local, National and International Levels."[32]

SIPO

In June 2015, the Standards in Public Office Commission referred DDI to the Gardaí over failure to complete statutory declarations concerning funding and donations.[34]

Electoral history

At the 2011 general election three candidates stood unsuccessfully as independents under the Direct Democracy Ireland banner. Raymond Whitehead in Dublin South, polling 120 votes (0.2%),[35] Paul Clarke in Dublin North-Central, polling 331 votes (0.85%)[36] and Noel Walshe in Carlow Kilkenny polling 119 votes (0.2%).[37] During the election, the literature of one known Christian Solidarity Party candidate details an endorsement of direct democracy, with a link to the DDI website.[3][38]

DDI opposed the Children's Rights Referendum in November 2012.[39] The party claimed that 'vested interests' were using a "historic list of examples of the rape and neglect of children" to grant "power of the agents of the State to 'supply the place of the parents.'" DDI also claimed that a 'Yes' vote could see children "adopted by strangers" if an "over-zealous nurse" contacted social workers with suspicion that a child in their care suffered a non-accidental injury. The referendum was passed with 58% voting in favour.[40]

On 5 March 2013, Direct Democracy Ireland announced party leader[41] Ben Gilroy as its candidate in the Meath East by-election, which was held on 27 March.[42] Gilroy is a leading member of the 'People for Economic Justice' campaign group and has spoken at rallies in support of bankrupt former billionaire developer Seán Quinn who was jailed in 2012 for asset stripping and non-compliance with the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation.[3][43] During the campaign the leader of the Christian Solidarity Party, Richard Greene, took out an advertisement in support of Ben Gilroy in the conservative Alive! newspaper stating that Gilroy "can be trusted on the abortion issue".[44] He finished fourth, ahead of the Labour and Green candidates. Gilroy criticised the fact that he was not allowed to participate in a Prime Time Debate between the four main parties.[45] Following the election, Gilroy was referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions and the gardaí after he failed to furnish the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO) with a detailed breakdown of his expenses and donations during the by-election campaign.[46]

DDI stood four candidates in the 2014 European Parliament election and 19 candidates in the Irish local elections, 2014 which were held on the same day. None of the party's 23 candidates were elected.

DDI/National Citizen Movement stood Candidates in the Irish general election, 2016. None were elected.

References

  1. ↑ Pat Green. "Honour and privilege to be elected once again,Pat Greene Leader of Direct Democracy Ireland". Direct Democracy Ireland.
  2. 1 2 "Raymond Whitehead" (PDF). Direct Democracy Ireland. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Frank Connolly (April–May 2013). "Gilroy – Irish for Grillo? Direct Democracy benefited from voter ignorance in Meath East". Village, Issue 22. p. 22. Retrieved 24 April 2013.
  4. 1 2 3 Rita O'Reilly (24 October 2013). A Matter of Trust - RTÉ Prime Time (Investigative Documentary into the Freeman movement in Ireland, National Television). Dublin, Ireland: Radio Teilifís Éireann.
  5. ↑ "Radio: A thin turnout on air, but Pat Kenny may yet win the populist vote". The Irish Times. 5 October 2013. Retrieved 6 October 2013.
  6. 1 2 Mark Moloney (May 2013). "Ben Gilroy and Direct Democracy Ireland: Look behind them". An Phoblacht, Vol 36, Issue 4. p. 27.
  7. 1 2 "Direct Democracy Ireland seeks to transform politics". The Irish Times. 15 November 2012. Retrieved 15 November 2012.
  8. ↑ "Raymond Whitehead". TheJournal.ie. February 2011. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
  9. 1 2 Press Association (4 July 2013). "'Racist abuse' auction cancelled". Irish Independent. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
  10. ↑ Conor Pope (5 July 2013). "Allsop property auction cancelled due to protest". The Irish Times. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
  11. ↑ Reade, Michael (5 July 2013). "The Michael Reade Programme 5 July". The Michael Reade Show. Episode 5 July. Drogheda. 1mins 40s minutes in. LMFM. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
  12. ↑ "Allsops, Michael Reade, and the shameful abuse of LMFM for political gain". Direct Democracy Ireland. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
  13. ↑ Rónán Duffy (7 November 2013). "BAI reject complaint by Direct Democracy Ireland alleging unfair treatment". The Journal. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
  14. ↑ Carolan, Mary (1 November 2013). "Political activist Ben Gilroy in court over trespass order". Irish Times. Ireland. Retrieved 1 November 2013.
  15. ↑ O'Connell, Hugh (1 November 2013). "Direct Democracy's Ben Gilroy appears in court over alleged trespassing". TheJournal.ie. Ireland. Retrieved 1 November 2013.
  16. ↑ Managh, Ray (28 September 2013). "Judge issues bench warrant for anti-eviction activist Charles Allen". Irish Times. Ireland. Retrieved 1 November 2013.
  17. ↑ Frank Connolly (April 2013). "Gilroy – the Irish Grillo?" (PDF). Liberty, Vol.12, No.3. p. 17. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
    • Mark Moloney (May 2013). "Ben Gilroy and Direct Democracy Ireland: Look behind them". An Phoblacht, Vol 36, Issue 4. p. 27.
    • John Molyneux (1 March 2013). "Can we get real democracy?". The Socialist Worker.
    • Keith Rooney (April 2012). "Land of the Free, Home of the Deluded" (PDF). Law Society Gazette. p. 12. Retrieved 17 May 2013. On 24 February, Ben Gilroy, 'star' of the YouTube video 'Constitution halts sheriff', appeared on TV3's Ireland AM speaking about how he had 'defeated' the sheriff of Portlaoise and how others could do the same. The methods he used are common strategies of a group known as the Freemen on the Land
  18. ↑ "Prime Time 28 March 2013". Prime Time. 28 March 2013. Retrieved 26 May 2013.
  19. ↑ "People for Economic Justice founder Ben Gilroy has "no connection" with Freemen on the Land movement in Ireland". Irish Times. 16 May 2013. Retrieved 31 May 2013. The People for Economic Justice website also includes a photograph of a sample notice to be placed outside the door of a property to prevent access by bailiffs, court officials, debt collectors and receivers. The notice is signed "under the great seal of the Giolla Rua" by "Ben of the ancient clan Giolla Rua authorised agent for Ben Gilroy"
  20. ↑ http://directdemocracyireland.ie/ National Health Federation link, bottom right corner
  21. ↑ "National Health Federation – definition". McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine. 2002. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
  22. ↑ Moloney, Mark (28 April 2013). "Ben Gilroy and Direct Democracy Ireland: Look behind them". An Phoblacht. Retrieved 12 September 2015 – via An Phoblacht - http://www.anphoblacht.com/.
  23. ↑ "New political party in Cork canvass". Cork's 96FM. 20 May 2012. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
  24. 1 2 "People Before Profit splits with Anti-Austerity Alliance on pact". The Irish Times. 31 October 2015.
  25. 1 2 "LEGAL ACTION TO CHALLENGE CERVICAL CANCER VACCINE IN SCHOOLS". Cork Evening Echo. 16 September 2015. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
  26. 1 2 "Alan Lawes". Election 2016. RTÉ News. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
  27. ↑ "Direct Democracy Ireland a National Citizens Movement Conference - Direct Democracy Ireland a National Citizens Movement". Retrieved 24 February 2016.
  28. ↑ "Direct Democracy Ireland and the National Citizens Movement have joined forces to offer citizens an alternative". 11 December 2015. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
  29. ↑ "Direct Democracy splits as rebels say it's undemocratic". Irish Examiner. 25 October 2013.
  30. ↑ Clifford, Michael (25 October 2013). "New political ideals ravaged by ... politics". Irish Examiner. Ireland. Retrieved 26 October 2013.
  31. ↑ "Ben Gilroy resigns as leader of Direct Democracy Ireland". The Journal.ie. 3 February 2014. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
  32. 1 2 _____ (2015). "Drogheda man Pat Greene re elected as Leader of Direct Democracy Ireland". Drogheda Life – via Droghedalife.com.
  33. ↑ Cunningnham, Joe (2015). "'"We the People" We stand again, together for social and economic freedom in unity, within our hearts.'". Direct Democracy Ireland. Retrieved 18 September 2015.
  34. ↑ "Report reveals amount of donations to Irish political parties last year". Breakingnews.ie. 17 June 2015. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
  35. ↑ "2011 general election: Dublin South". ElectionsIreland.org. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
  36. ↑ "2011 general election: Dublin North Central". ElectionsIreland.org. Retrieved 3 October 2013.
  37. ↑ "2011 general election: Carlow–Kilkenny". ElectionsIreland.org. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
  38. ↑ "The Hidden Face of Direct Democracy Ireland". Conor Farrell. 9 September 2013. Retrieved 9 September 2013.
  39. ↑ "Children's Ref: Don't Forget to Vote". Subkit.eu. 1 November 2012. Retrieved 9 September 2013.
  40. ↑ "The Terrifying Power of the State over Families: Ireland beware". Direct Democracy Ireland. 26 September 2012. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
  41. ↑ "Direct Democracy Ireland". People for Economic Justice. 6 November 2012. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
  42. ↑ "Ben Gilroy By-Election Interview LMFM Radio". Direct Democracy Ireland. 13 March 2013. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
  43. ↑ "Ben Gilroy's (mis)directed democracy". The Phoenix, Vol 31, No 7. 5–18 April 2013. p. 11.
  44. ↑ Richard Greene (April 2013). "Classified Ads" (PDF). Alive! newspaper, Issue 188. p. 14. Retrieved 24 April 2013.
  45. ↑ "Prime Time criticised as candidates excluded from Meath East debate". The Journal. 26 March 2013. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
  46. ↑ Hugh O'Connell (19 June 2013). "By-election candidate referred to gardaí over election expenses". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 19 June 2013.

External links

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