Government attempts to ‘silence’ a local Irish language activist – by threatening his job – were condemned last night by independent political activist Micheál Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig.
Mac Giolla Easbuig’s comments came after it emerged that Dónal Ó Cnaimhsí, a spokesperson for Irish language group Guth na Gaeltachta, received a threatening letter from his employers at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht this week. The letter suggested that Ó Cnaimhsí’s future with Glenveagh National Park was in question because of his public position on the new Gaeltacht Bill.
‘While the bill itself is of great concern for the future of the gaeltachts, there is a wider issue here,’ Mac Giolla Easbuig said.
‘What concerns me most about this is the fact that someone considers it acceptable to threaten this man’s job because he happens to have an opinion.'
Mac Giolla Easbuig said that the issue was causing concern for others 'who work for the state but happen to also be involved in community and voluntary work'.
'Local people are shocked and outraged. This is about a basic civil liberty – the right to free speech. It’s nothing more than Blueshirt tactics from Dinny McGinley’s department.’
Ó Cnaimhsí, who works as a gardener, was told on Tuesday that he could be dismissed for having criticised the controversial new Gaeltacht Bill. The Department’s letter claimed that his public stance could be viewed as a breach of his employment contract, a view that Mac Giolla Easbuig termed ‘dishonest and misleading at best – at worst, it’s blackmail’.
‘Surely it is ridiculous that a gardener – who has no role in policy development – should be told that because he is an employee of the state he has to surrender his right to have an opinion.
'If that was the case, for example, former teachers like Dinny McGinley would have no place in political life. This is nothing more than an attempt to shut up someone who only wants to contribute to the cultural life of his community.’
Mac Giolla Easbuig called on Minister McGinley and his department to issue separate apologies regarding the incident.
‘Also, this man should also be reassured of his right to free speech and that any future comments he makes in regard to the Irish language do not cause trouble of any kind for him in his place of work.
‘The government should be encouraging people to get involved in democratic decision making - not sending them threatening letters. It’s sad in this day and age that people involved in community work and trying to make life better for their fellow citizens are victimised for doing so.’
Líomhaintí faoi “Thaicticí Léinte Gorma” i gcás Bhille na Gaeltachta
No comments:
Post a Comment