Conferring ceremony honouring Bertie Ahern disrupted by protestors

Three men, claiming to be from the Connolly Youth Movement, stood up and said they could not let the event go unchallenged, as Mr Ahern was about to make his speech.
Conferring ceremony honouring Bertie Ahern disrupted by protestors

A conferring ceremony for former taoiseach Bertie Ahern at Dublin City University this afternoon was briefly disrupted by protesters.

Three men, claiming to be from the Connolly Youth Movement, stood up and said they could not let the event go unchallenged, as Mr Ahern was about to make his speech.

"On behalf of the youth of Ireland, our friends and our families, we as students and as of the Connolly Youth Movement cannot be idle and we cannot let an event like this go ahead unchallenged," one protester said.

They accused Mr Ahern of begin an "architect" of the financial crash, and claimed he has played a role in the mass emigration of young Irish people.

A number of people present in the auditorium began to boo and heckle the protestors.

The men were then removed from the ceremony.

Mr Ahern remained on stage during the protest, and did not react.

Mr Ahern was receiving an honourary doctorate from the college, alongside peace campaigner Monica McWilliams, for their contributions to the Good Friday Agreement.

In a video of the speech posted to their Twitter , the Connolly Youth Movement stated that their intention was to "disrupt and oppose" the conferring ceremony.

 

More in this section

Ballymena protest Missiles thrown at police in second night of Ballymena disorder
Ballymena protest Man charged with riotous behaviour after Ballymena disorder
Criminal Assets Bureau conducts raids targeting suspected drug trafficker in Kerry Criminal Assets Bureau conducts raids targeting suspected drug trafficker in Kerry

Sponsored Content

Digital advertising in focus at Irish Examiner’s Lunch & Learn event  Digital advertising in focus at Irish Examiner’s Lunch & Learn event 
Experience a burst of culture with Cork Midsummer Festival  Experience a burst of culture with Cork Midsummer Festival 
How to get involved in Bike Week 2025 How to get involved in Bike Week 2025
Us Cookie Policy and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited

Add Echolive.ie to your home screen - easy access to Cork news, views, sport and more