RSF urged to cancel rugby protest

Republican Sinn Féin has been urged to cancel its scheduled protest over England's participation in this weekend's Six Nations clash with Ireland in Croke Park.

Deputy Lord Mayor of Dublin, Labour Councillor Aodhan Ó Riordáin, has called on the party to abandon the protest, due to begin at the junction of North Circular Road and Summerhill Parade on Saturday afternoon.

On its website,  RSF has invited anyone in disagreement with the airing of  God Save the Queenand the raising of the English flag in GAA headquarters - "whilst England continues to occupy part of Ireland" - to assemble just around the corner from the stadium two hours before kick-off.

Speaking today Cllr Ó Riordáin said: "This weekend's game is a historic sporting event and one which is greatly anticipated in the local area. The attempts by some elements to politicise the occasion is unwelcome and is adding unwanted tension to an match which should be a celebration f sporting endeavour.

"The English team are due the same respect as all visiting sides to Dublin and all outdated cries of protest only serve to drag us back to a narrow-minded insular past which is unrepresentative of our modern nation.

"I am calling on Republican Sinn Féin to abandon their plans to protest as the potential for the march to be hijacked by undesirable elements is quite high, if last year's Love Ulster parade is anything to go by.

"I am delighted to welcome the English team and its supporters to Dublin and to my own area of the North Inner City and I hope all Dubliners will do the same in the true spirit of Croke Park and the history of sport in Ireland," he concluded.

The protest is due to take place almost a year to the day of the 'Love Ulster' riots, which began on Dublin's O'Connell Street when some protesters, angered by families of IRA victims marching in the capital, forced them to be bussed back out of the city before attacking police and looting shops.

Saturday's game is only the second rugby match to be held in Croke Park following the defeat to France on February 11th.