Ballina MD Cathaoirleach calls for an end to 'genocide' in Gaza

THE Cathaoirleach of the Ballina Municipal District has described the killing of Palestinians in Gaza as a genocide as he called for a ceasefire in the region.

Members of Ballina Municipal District backed a call by Independent councillor and Cathaoirleach, Seamus Weir to write to the Taoiseach Leo Varadakar and support his call for a ceasefire in the conflict in Gaza.

The Knockmore-based councillor told the monthly meeting of the municipal district this morning (Wednesday) that it was 'disgraceful' to see women and children being 'slaughtered'.

“I feel strongly about it and what I see on tv at night; it is awful stuff to see children and women being killed and the slaughter that's going on. The Taoiseach spoke strongly on it and he used the word revenge and he was right in saying it at the time. We don't condone what happened [on October 7] and the kidnapping of the people and the killing [by Hamas] was totally wrong but we cannot see this slaughter continue.

“We should be supporting the Government in asking for a ceasefire. This has been going on for over a month and the slaughter going on is genocide and it is shocking. I don't know what we can do in this council but I will be asking my fellow councillors to support me on this one and look for a proper ceasefire and stop the killing of these children,” he told the meeting.

Independent councillor Seamus Weir called for an end to the 'slaughter' in Gaza

Leo Varadkar was among a minority of European leaders to call for a ceasefire in Gaza following the bombardment of the Gaza strip by Israeli military forces. The bombardment has been continuous since October 7 when Hamas militants attacked Israeli communities in the south of the country. Over 1,000 people were killed in the attack and a number of civilians and Israeli soldiers were taken as hostages.

Cllr Weir made a similar appeal at Monday's monthly meeting of Mayo County Council but he failed to receive the support of any of his fellow councillors. However, he received the support of his Ballina Municipal District colleagues who all agreed to write to An Taoiseach to express support for his call for a ceasefire.

Fine Gael councillor Jarlath Munelly supported Cllr Weir in his call to write to An Taoiseach and called for the Irish Government to use its influence to push for a new peace process in the Middle East.

“There is no peace process in the Middle East which is a big part of the problem with no political solution being sought. The problems in the Middle East will not be solved by war,” he said.

Fianna Fáil councillor Annie Mae Reape also supported Cllr Weir adding that she would have supported his motion in the county council meeting on Monday but it was adjourned early and she did not get the opportunity to speak on the matter.

Cllr John O'Hara added that he too supported Cllr Weir's proposal saying that animals are treated better than the children in the hospital in Gaza and there was no regard for human life.

The response of the Israeli military to the October 7 attacks has resulted in the death of over 10,000 people and has led to worldwide protests and calls for a ceasefire.

A number of people attended a demo in solidarity with the Palestinian people in Ballina on Sunday where there were calls for a ceasefire.