Greek anti-austerity leader Alexis Tsipras of SYRIZA in Dublin meets Sinn Féin

» Mark Moloney

"Austerity deteriorates everything. In Greece we are facing a humanitarian crisis after six years of recession. Here in Ireland, as in Greece, many young people emigrate to find a better future." - Alexis Tsipras

THE leader of Greece's left-wing opposition party SYRIZA, Alexis Tsipras (who is also a candidate for the Presidency of the European Commission) visited Dublin's northside on Monday to see first-hand the effects austerity is having on ordinary Irish people.

The SYRIZA MP was accompanied in Darndale by Sinn Féin Councillor Larry O'Toole, EU candidate Lynn Boylan and local representative Denise Mitchell.

During a visit to Darndale and Belcamp Village Centre, Alexis met with local community representatives and workers to discuss the effects austerity is having on working people and also to see the services the centre provides for the local community.

Speaking to An Phoblacht Alexis Tsipras said:

"Austerity deteriorates everything. In Greece we are facing a humanitarian crisis after six years of recession. Here in Ireland, as in Greece, many young people emigrate to find a better future."

He described the work done at the Darndale and Belcamp Village Centre, which provides a range of educational, health, youth and other services, as an example of a success story in its work trying to overcome social problems through solidarity and networks to support those most in need.

Sinn Féin EU candidate Lynn Boylan said it was obvious in both Greece and Ireland that it is young people who are bearing the brunt of austerity through unemployment, benefit cuts and emigration.

A full-interview with Alexis Tsipras will appear in the April edition of An Phoblacht.