Friday, May 18, 2012

Donegal clergymen unite to protest outside schools against education cuts

A CHURCH of Ireland cleric and his Catholic counterpart in Donegal have joined forces to hold a vigil outside schools on referendum day, as they are used for polling stations.

The Rev John Deane and Fr John Joe Duffy have organised the vigil in protest at education cuts. 

Both say the message is simple and that they want the Government to “prioritise education investment now”. 

The Rev Deane, from Ardara, and Fr Duffy, from Arranmore Island, say they are taking no part in the referendum.

“The objective would be to have a presence of parents, children, teachers and members of the general public with placards outside school gates reminding the Government that they need to prioritise education investment now and protect education, protect the future of our children,” Fr Duffy said.

“No one should in any way interfere with or hinder anyone entering or leaving the polling stations,” he added.

The clerics said the organising committee would be in contact with each school in Donegal to set out the rules and regulations concerning the holding of a vigil on election day near a polling station.