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Liberty Republic

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Liberty Republic
LeaderBen Gilroy
FounderRaymond Whitehead[1]
Founded2010
HeadquartersDrogheda, County Louth
IdeologyDirect democracy
Populism[2][3][4]
Eurozone withdrawal[5]
Political positionRight-wing[6][2]
Former nameDirect Democracy Ireland (DDI)
Website
libertyrepublic.ie

Liberty Republic is a minor populist political party in Ireland. It has no representation at local or national level. It was established in 2010 as Direct Democracy Ireland (DDI) and was registered as a political party in October 2012 under that name.[7] The organisation was founded by photographer Raymond Whitehead.[8] It was relaunched as Liberty Republic, by Ben Gilroy, in 2024.[9]

A number of publications have linked the group with various fringe groups and ideologies, including with pseudolegal principles derived from the freeman on the land movement.[10]

Policies

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The party has three principal aims:[7]

  1. to allow citizens to petition for a referendum on any issue through the collection of a certain number of signatures.
  2. to allow for the recall of non-performing politicians.
  3. to create realistic economic policies based on public debate.

The party has suggested that if Ireland were to withdraw from the Eurozone, it could lead to "more stable economic growth".[5]

In the March 2024 Irish constitutional referendums, Liberty Republic called for a No vote.[11]

Campaigns

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In July 2013, Ben Gilroy and other members of the party took part in a protest at an auctioneers in Dublin in opposition to the sale of distressed property. Protesters were accused of chanting racist abuse at English staff. The auction had to be cancelled 'in the interest of public safety'.[12][13] When questioned about the abuse, party spokesperson Des McCreesh told the Irish Independent "I never heard anything like that at all".[12] The following day Gilroy was again questioned over the alleged incident on The Michael Reade Show on LMFM. Gilroy told listeners "I never said any of that [racist abuse]" adding that it would be "wrong to make reference to where [a person] is from at all" and "Direct Democracy and other people did not do that". Presenter Michael Reade then played an audio clip from inside an auction in which Gilroy can be heard telling the auctioneers to "go back to England", Gilroy can then be heard saying: "I'm putting in an objection sir, with your very fine British accent, could you take it forthwith. Leave the country, you and your like that are putting the properties here up for sale." Gilroy admitted the voice in the clip was his but denied his comments amounted to racism,[14] while his party accused radio host Michael Reade of attempting to paint Gilroy as a racist to discredit him.[15] A complaint was lodged by DDI with the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland claiming that Gilroy had been "unfairly treated" and that the LMFM show "misrepresented and created the impression that Mr. Gilroy had expressed anti-English sentiments at the auction". The complaint was rejected by the authority.[16]

On 1 November 2013, Gilroy was arrested by gardaí in Navan and brought before Dublin High Court to face charges over alleged contempt of orders restraining trespass on a County Kildare stud farm to which receivers have been appointed. Gilroy was accused of being part of a "mob" from the Rodolphus Allen Family Private Trust which forced receivers off the €8million stud farm.[17][18][19]

Party leadership and history

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Logo of Direct Democracy Ireland
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A number of publications and commentators have highlighted DDI's close links to the freeman on the land movement and the right-wing conservative Christian Solidarity Party.[2][3][20] The then leader of Direct Democracy Ireland (until 2014), Ben Gilroy, denied links to the Freeman movement when questioned about them on the Prime Time current affairs show on RTÉ and by The Irish Times.[21][22] However, on 24 October 2013 Prime Time ran a 20-minute investigative report which highlighted close links between DDI, People for Economic Justice and DebtOptions Ireland to the Freeman movement.[3] The party also has formal links to the fringe lobbying group known as the National Health Federation which opposes water fluoridation, compulsory childhood vaccines and promotes unproven cancer treatments.[23][24]

The Christian Solidarity Party also took out advertisements in support of DDI. CSP candidates also included the website of Direct Democracy Ireland on their election literature.[25]

On the abortion issue, DDI says it does not accept that the government must legislate for what it describes as "the so-called X Case". It says the solution to the abortion issue "lies in asking the people" via a referendum whether or not the government has the right to legislate for abortion.[26]

In October 2015, DDI joined the Right2Change movement.[27]

National Citizens Movement

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National Citizens Movement
Merged intoDDI
Formation9 August 2014 (2014-08-09)
FounderElizabeth Hourihane
DissolvedDecember 2015
TypePolitical group
PurposePolitical reform, anti-water charges
Region served
Ireland

The National Citizens Movement (NCM) was formed by Elizabeth Hourihane in Cork, on 9 August 2014 on foot of nationwide anti-water charge protests. The organisation also campaigned against HPV vaccination of schoolgirls.[28] In October 2015, NCM joined the Right2Change movement.[27] In December 2015 it merged with DDI,[29] which subsequently branded itself "Direct Democracy Ireland A National Citizens Movement".[30] Alan Lawes, NCM PRO, ran for DDI in Meath West in the 2016 general election.[29]

Split

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In October 2013, Direct Democracy Ireland split, with a number of members claiming that the five-man "council" responsible for running Direct Democracy Ireland (and which could change the rules as it wished without consulting the membership) was undemocratic.[31] The leadership's alleged links with the Freeman movement and Gilroy's activities in People for Economic Justice were other reasons given for the split. Responding to the claims that the party was completely undemocratic, leader Ben Gilroy said: "We cannot be totally democratic or we’d be dead in the water. The only reason they’re bitching is they’re trying to destroy the party."[32] In October 2013 a number of those who were in dispute with the leadership left and formed the Irish Democratic Party. In February 2014, Ben Gilroy resigned as leader of DDI for 'personal reasons', resulting in Jan Van De Ven to be elected as the new leader at the annual AGM on 1 February 2014.[33]

On 28 June 2015, at an Extraordinary General meeting of the party held in the Townhouse Court Hotel in Naas, Joe Cunningham was elected as National Chairman of Direct Democracy Ireland, and Pat Greene elected as the party leader.[34][35]

SIPO

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In June 2015, the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO) referred DDI to the gardaí over failure to complete statutory declarations concerning funding and donations.[36]

In November 2017, SIPO stated that some statement of accounts had been received from DDI, but they were found not to be compliant because the accounts were not audited. It decided against appointing a public auditor as DDI did not receive any funding from the exchequer.[37]

Electoral history

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At the 2011 general election three candidates stood unsuccessfully as independents under the Direct Democracy Ireland banner. Raymond Whitehead in Dublin South, polling 120 votes (0.2%),[38] Paul Clarke in Dublin North-Central, polling 331 votes (0.85%)[39] and Noel Walshe in Carlow Kilkenny polling 119 votes (0.2%).[40] During the election, the literature of one known Christian Solidarity Party candidate details an endorsement of direct democracy, with a link to the DDI website.[2][41]

DDI opposed the children's rights referendum in November 2012.[42] The party claimed that 'vested interests' were using a "historic list of examples of the rape and neglect of children" to grant "power of the agents of the State to 'supply the place of the parents.'" DDI also claimed that a 'Yes' vote could see children "adopted by strangers" if an "over-zealous nurse" contacted social workers with suspicion that a child in their care suffered a non-accidental injury. The referendum was passed with 58% voting in favour.[43]

On 5 March 2013, Direct Democracy Ireland announced party leader[44] Ben Gilroy as its candidate in the Meath East by-election, which was held on 27 March.[45] Gilroy is a leading member of the 'People for Economic Justice' campaign group and has spoken at rallies in support of bankrupt former billionaire developer Seán Quinn who was jailed in 2012 for asset stripping and non-compliance with the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation.[2][46] During the campaign the leader of the Christian Solidarity Party, Richard Greene, took out an advertisement in support of Ben Gilroy in the conservative Alive! newspaper stating that Gilroy "can be trusted on the abortion issue".[47] He finished fourth, ahead of the Labour and Green candidates. Gilroy criticised the fact that he was not allowed to participate in a Prime Time Debate between the four main parties.[48] Following the election, Gilroy was referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions and the gardaí after he failed to furnish the Standards in Public Office Commission with a detailed breakdown of his expenses and donations during the by-election campaign.[49]

DDI stood four candidates in the 2014 European Parliament election and 19 candidates in the 2014 local elections which were held on the same day. None of the party's 23 candidates were elected.

DDI/National Citizen Movement also stood candidates in the 2016 Irish general election and 2019 European Parliament elections. None were elected.[50][51]

In 2024, DDI relaunched as Liberty Republic.[52] However, the change to its registration did not take effect before the 2024 Irish local elections and,[9] in a Tweet from May 2024, Gilroy said that Liberty Republic would not contest those elections.[53]

References

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  1. ^ "Raymond Whitehead" (PDF). Direct Democracy Ireland. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
  2. ^ a b c d e Frank Connolly (April–May 2013). "Gilroy – Irish for Grillo? Direct Democracy benefited from voter ignorance in Meath East". Village, Issue 22. p. 22. Archived from the original on 22 June 2013. Retrieved 24 April 2013.
  3. ^ a b c Rita O'Reilly (24 October 2013). A Matter of Trust – RTÉ Prime Time (Investigative Documentary into the Freeman movement in Ireland, National Television). Dublin, Ireland: Radio Teilifís Éireann. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013.
  4. ^ "Radio: A thin turnout on air, but Pat Kenny may yet win the populist vote". The Irish Times. 5 October 2013. Archived from the original on 5 October 2013. Retrieved 6 October 2013.
  5. ^ a b Could Leaving the euro return Ireland to a more stable economic growth? Archived 24 October 2017 at the Wayback Machine
    Direct Democracy Ireland (official website). Published 25 September 2015. Retrieved 9 March 2017.
  6. ^ "Bryan Wall: Right to the Extreme". broadsheet.ie. 17 December 2018. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  7. ^ a b "Direct Democracy Ireland seeks to transform politics". The Irish Times. 15 November 2012. Archived from the original on 19 July 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2012.
  8. ^ "Raymond Whitehead". TheJournal.ie. February 2011. Archived from the original on 27 December 2013. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
  9. ^ a b "Changes to Register of Political Parties See New Party Proposed and Name/Emblem Changes for Another". Electoral Commission. 12 April 2024.
  10. ^ Netolitzky, Donald J. (3 May 2018). "A Pathogen Astride the Minds of Men: The Epidemiological History of Pseudolaw". Centre d'expertise et de formation sur les intégrismes religieux et la radicalisation (CEFIR). doi:10.2139/ssrn.3177472. SSRN 3177472. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  11. ^ Liberty Republic (2 March 2024). "Liberty Republic is asking you to do the right thing on March 8th". Retrieved 13 April 2024 – via Facebook.
  12. ^ a b Press Association (4 July 2013). "'Racist abuse' auction cancelled". Irish Independent. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
  13. ^ Conor Pope (5 July 2013). "Allsop property auction cancelled due to protest". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 11 July 2013. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
  14. ^ Reade, Michael (5 July 2013). "The Michael Reade Programme 5 July". The Michael Reade Show. Episode 5 July. Drogheda. 1mins 40s minutes in. LMFM. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
  15. ^ "Allsops, Michael Reade, and the shameful abuse of LMFM for political gain". Direct Democracy Ireland. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
  16. ^ Rónán Duffy (7 November 2013). "BAI reject complaint by Direct Democracy Ireland alleging unfair treatment". The Journal. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
  17. ^ Carolan, Mary (1 November 2013). "Political activist Ben Gilroy in court over trespass order". The Irish Times. Ireland. Archived from the original on 1 November 2013. Retrieved 1 November 2013.
  18. ^ O'Connell, Hugh (1 November 2013). "Direct Democracy's Ben Gilroy appears in court over alleged trespassing". TheJournal.ie. Ireland. Archived from the original on 1 November 2013. Retrieved 1 November 2013.
  19. ^ Managh, Ray (28 September 2013). "Judge issues bench warrant for anti-eviction activist Charles Allen". The Irish Times. Ireland. Archived from the original on 3 November 2013. Retrieved 1 November 2013.
  20. ^ Frank Connolly (April 2013). "Gilroy – the Irish Grillo?" (PDF). Liberty, Vol.12, No.3. p. 17. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 May 2013. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
    • Mark Moloney (May 2013). "Ben Gilroy and Direct Democracy Ireland: Look behind them". An Phoblacht, Vol 36, Issue 4. p. 27. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015.
    • John Molyneux (1 March 2013). "Can we get real democracy?". The Socialist Worker.
    • Keith Rooney (April 2012). "Land of the Free, Home of the Deluded" (PDF). Law Society Gazette. p. 12. Archived (PDF) from the original on 11 October 2012. Retrieved 17 May 2013. On 24 February, Ben Gilroy, 'star' of the YouTube video 'Constitution halts sheriff', appeared on TV3's Ireland AM speaking about how he had 'defeated' the sheriff of Portlaoise and how others could do the same. The methods he used are common strategies of a group known as the Freemen on the Land
  21. ^ "Prime Time 28 March 2013". Prime Time. 28 March 2013. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 26 May 2013.
  22. ^ "People for Economic Justice founder Ben Gilroy has "no connection" with Freemen on the Land movement in Ireland". The Irish Times. 16 May 2013. Archived from the original on 17 May 2013. Retrieved 31 May 2013. The People for Economic Justice website also includes a photograph of a sample notice to be placed outside the door of a property to prevent access by bailiffs, court officials, debt collectors and receivers. The notice is signed "under the great seal of the Giolla Rua" by "Ben of the ancient clan Giolla Rua authorised agent for Ben Gilroy"
  23. ^ "Homepage - Direct Democracy IrelandDirect Democracy Ireland | Returning the Power to You". Archived from the original on 28 August 2013. Retrieved 9 March 2013. National Health Federation link, bottom right corner
  24. ^ "National Health Federation – definition". McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine. 2002. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
  25. ^ Moloney, Mark (28 April 2013). "Ben Gilroy and Direct Democracy Ireland: Look behind them". anphoblacht.com. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 12 September 2015 – via An Phoblacht.
  26. ^ "New political party in Cork canvass". Cork's 96FM. 20 May 2012. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
  27. ^ a b "People Before Profit splits with Anti-Austerity Alliance on pact". The Irish Times. 31 October 2015. Archived from the original on 19 November 2015.
  28. ^ "LEGAL ACTION TO CHALLENGE CERVICAL CANCER VACCINE IN SCHOOLS". Cork Evening Echo. 16 September 2015. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
  29. ^ a b "Alan Lawes". Election 2016. RTÉ News. 13 January 2016. Archived from the original on 1 March 2016. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
  30. ^ "Direct Democracy Ireland a National Citizens Movement Conference – Direct Democracy Ireland a National Citizens Movement". Archived from the original on 21 February 2016. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
  31. ^ "Direct Democracy splits as rebels say it's undemocratic". Irish Examiner. 25 October 2013.
  32. ^ Clifford, Michael (25 October 2013). "New political ideals ravaged by ... politics". Irish Examiner. Ireland. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 26 October 2013.
  33. ^ "Ben Gilroy resigns as leader of Direct Democracy Ireland". The Journal.ie. 3 February 2014. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
  34. ^ "Drogheda man Pat Greene re elected as Leader of Direct Democracy Ireland". Drogheda Life. 2015. Archived from the original on 21 April 2016 – via Droghedalife.com.
  35. ^ Cunningnham, Joe (2015). ""We the People" We stand again, together for social and economic freedom in unity, within our hearts". Direct Democracy Ireland. Archived from the original on 8 March 2016. Retrieved 18 September 2015.
  36. ^ "Report reveals amount of donations to Irish political parties last year". Breakingnews.ie. 17 June 2015. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
  37. ^ Burke, Ceimin (29 November 2017). "Nearly half of Ireland's political parties failed to submit accounts to watchdog". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 1 December 2017.
  38. ^ "2011 general election: Dublin South". ElectionsIreland.org. Archived from the original on 13 January 2013. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
  39. ^ "2011 general election: Dublin North Central". ElectionsIreland.org. Archived from the original on 5 October 2013. Retrieved 3 October 2013.
  40. ^ "2011 general election: Carlow–Kilkenny". ElectionsIreland.org. Archived from the original on 5 October 2013. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
  41. ^ "The Hidden Face of Direct Democracy Ireland". Conor Farrell. 9 September 2013. Archived from the original on 12 September 2013. Retrieved 9 September 2013.
  42. ^ "Children's Ref: Don't Forget to Vote". Subkit.eu. 1 November 2012. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 9 September 2013.
  43. ^ "The Terrifying Power of the State over Families: Ireland beware". Direct Democracy Ireland. 26 September 2012. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
  44. ^ "Direct Democracy Ireland". People for Economic Justice. 6 November 2012. Archived from the original on 23 October 2013. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
  45. ^ "Ben Gilroy By-Election Interview LMFM Radio". Direct Democracy Ireland. 13 March 2013. Archived from the original on 23 October 2013. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
  46. ^ "Ben Gilroy's (mis)directed democracy". The Phoenix, Vol 31, No 7. 5–18 April 2013. p. 11.
  47. ^ Richard Greene (April 2013). "Classified Ads" (PDF). Alive! newspaper, Issue 188. p. 14. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 August 2013. Retrieved 24 April 2013.
  48. ^ "Prime Time criticised as candidates excluded from Meath East debate". The Journal. 26 March 2013. Archived from the original on 4 March 2015. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
  49. ^ Hugh O'Connell (19 June 2013). "By-election candidate referred to gardaí over election expenses". TheJournal.ie. Archived from the original on 24 June 2013. Retrieved 19 June 2013.
  50. ^ "Candidates by Party – 2016 General Election – Direct Democracy Ireland". electionsireland.org. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  51. ^ "Candidates by Party – 2019 European Election – Direct Democracy Ireland". electionsireland.org. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  52. ^ "Debunked: 'Ireland will change forever' conspiracy meme is contradictory and nonsensical". TheJournal.ie. 25 March 2024. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
  53. ^ @BenGilroyIRL (25 May 2024). "For those asking, as leader of Liberty Republic (formerly DDI) which was relaunched last April, I made the decision for us not to contest Local/MEP elections ..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
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