EUROPEAN COMMISSION HQ SHUT-DOWN AS SINN FÉIN MARKS IMF BAIL-OUT ANNIVERSARY

‘IMF clowns’ in Dublin demo

» BY MARK MOLONEY

» BY MARK MOLONEY

THE European Commission building on Dublin’s busy Dawson Street was shut down by EC officials when a large number of Sinn Féin activists dressed as ‘IMF clowns’ staged a noisy and colourful protest on Monday 21st November to mark the first anniversary of the IMF bail-out.
A large ‘Grim Reaper’ pulling along an Irish family wrapped in chains marked “Health Cuts, Universal Social Charge, Water Charges” also caught the attention of passersby.
There were scuffles on the steps of the Commission HQ when a Garda forcibly tried to remove protesters near the entrance. Despite news media reports that the Garda received minor injuries from a protester, the garda’s pain was actually self-inflicted when he snatched a prop briefcase from one of the ‘IMF clowns’ and hit himself in the face.
Speaking at the demonstration, Sinn Féin’s Daithí Doolan reiterated calls for the Government to “bail out the people and not bankers”. Activists also distributed hundreds of leaflets outlining Sinn Féin’s alternative to the upcoming slash and burn Budget.