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31 March 2011

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Dublin Port trade unionist charged – Rally at court Friday 1st April

A RALLY will be held in support of 63-year-old former Dublin Docks worker Gerard McDonnell when he next appears in court on charges from taking part in a trade union 'floating picket' in connection with the eight-month-long MTL dispute in 2009.

Gerard is facing three charges under the Maritime Safety Act and has been remanded on bail to the Criminal Court of Justice in Parkgate Street on Friday 1st April at 10am.

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Workers' Rights Martin Ferris TD criticised the charging of a trade union protester fighting for his job long after the dispute has been resolved with an agreement including a 'no recriminations' clause.

An angry Deputy Ferris said:

Angry: Martin Ferris TD

The fact that these charges have been processed, apparently not at the behest of the company involved in the dispute, augurs badly for the manner in which the state may treat people involved in legitimate industrial action. No one was injured in the incident and indeed the men involved themselves were most at risk. The dispute was later settled.

The Sinn Féin TD hoped the charges would be shelved as it would potentially impose a heavy penalty on Gerard.

I also hope that we are not going to see more such heavy-handed use of criminal legislation against workers engaged in legitimate actions to safeguard their jobs and conditions of employment.

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