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24th October 2009, 13:08
AN attempt by Eastern European far right activists to hold a rock concert in Tralee this weekend has been scuppered, following the intervention of anti- fascist campaigners and Sinn Fin TD Martin Ferris.
Up to 70 European extremists were expected to attend the event this weekend at the Whitehouse Bed and Breakfast in Tralee town centre.
The concert was to feature so-called Blood and Honour bands Juden Mord (which translates from Slovak as Jewish Death) and Conflict 88.
However, the event was cancelled yesterday.
Proprietor Sean Sugrue said when he became aware of the extremist music which was to be a feature of the event he decided to inform the organiser it was cancelled. Mr Sugrue only became aware of the nature of the event following the intervention of Anti-Fascist Action (AFA), a group which campaigns against
the extreme right.
Local TD Mr Ferris said the people of Kerry would be appalled if an event such as this was to be held in Tralee. It has been suggested that these white power music groups are linked to ongoing violent racist attacks on ethnic minorities in the Czech Republic.
These fascist groups would certainly not be welcome in Tralee or any part of Kerry.
The event was to be held as a birthday party for a 30-year-old Czech far right political activist, who is now resident in Dublin.
The 28 bedrooms and the function room of the Whitehouse BB were booked some weeks ago by the Dublin-based fascist .
Last night an AFA spokesman said: Were happy this event did not go ahead. It is a frightening thought that such a group of people with such repulsive beliefs felt they could come to Ireland.
He added: AFA is resolute in denying a platform for racist and fascist thugs from overseas to organise and rally in this country, just as we refuse to give oxygen to the very small groups of Irish fascists who wish to organise here who would be impressed by this gathering if it had proceeded.
The Tralee event had been discussed among Eastern European far right
activists for a number of weeks. Among the up to 70 activists planning to attend were members of organisations including the Czech Republics Bohemia Hammerskins and Narodni Odpor (National Resistance). The latter group is banned in the Czech republic after members were
implicated in violent attacks on ethnic minorities.
Polish activists aligned with the Blood and Honour music movement were also planning to attend.
Raids on far right concert promoters in the Czech Republic over the last week had prevented some of those intending to travel to Ireland from making the journey. However, several Eastern European political activists are believed to have arrived in Dublin yesterday.
The group had also planned to visit Dingle during their stay in the south-west.
Up to 70 European extremists were expected to attend the event this weekend at the Whitehouse Bed and Breakfast in Tralee town centre.
The concert was to feature so-called Blood and Honour bands Juden Mord (which translates from Slovak as Jewish Death) and Conflict 88.
However, the event was cancelled yesterday.
Proprietor Sean Sugrue said when he became aware of the extremist music which was to be a feature of the event he decided to inform the organiser it was cancelled. Mr Sugrue only became aware of the nature of the event following the intervention of Anti-Fascist Action (AFA), a group which campaigns against
the extreme right.
Local TD Mr Ferris said the people of Kerry would be appalled if an event such as this was to be held in Tralee. It has been suggested that these white power music groups are linked to ongoing violent racist attacks on ethnic minorities in the Czech Republic.
These fascist groups would certainly not be welcome in Tralee or any part of Kerry.
The event was to be held as a birthday party for a 30-year-old Czech far right political activist, who is now resident in Dublin.
The 28 bedrooms and the function room of the Whitehouse BB were booked some weeks ago by the Dublin-based fascist .
Last night an AFA spokesman said: Were happy this event did not go ahead. It is a frightening thought that such a group of people with such repulsive beliefs felt they could come to Ireland.
He added: AFA is resolute in denying a platform for racist and fascist thugs from overseas to organise and rally in this country, just as we refuse to give oxygen to the very small groups of Irish fascists who wish to organise here who would be impressed by this gathering if it had proceeded.
The Tralee event had been discussed among Eastern European far right
activists for a number of weeks. Among the up to 70 activists planning to attend were members of organisations including the Czech Republics Bohemia Hammerskins and Narodni Odpor (National Resistance). The latter group is banned in the Czech republic after members were
implicated in violent attacks on ethnic minorities.
Polish activists aligned with the Blood and Honour music movement were also planning to attend.
Raids on far right concert promoters in the Czech Republic over the last week had prevented some of those intending to travel to Ireland from making the journey. However, several Eastern European political activists are believed to have arrived in Dublin yesterday.
The group had also planned to visit Dingle during their stay in the south-west.