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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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Protestors at Racket Hall in Roscrea keep warm at bonfires during the marathon protest in sub-zero conditions. Photo: D. Keegan
Organisers of a protest march planned in Roscrea town centre on Saturday have said the event is a strictly local protest and that groups without a Roscrea focused agenda are not welcome at the event.
Earlier this week protestors asked people with no affiliation to the town to leave their demonstration and are determined to keep the attention on Roscrea and not national issues.
Roscrea man James Gleeson, one of the organisers of the protest at the Racket Hall Hotel on the outskirts of the town, stressed at a meeting outside the premises last night the demonstration march will be "a peaceful walk - a peaceful march".
Organisers said they are aware the event has received attention from groups not affiliated to Roscrea and urged them to stay away from the event. Mr Gleeson said the local Gardaí in Roscrea "have been amazing" and are working with organisers.
The event will begin at Racket Hall at 2:30pm on Saturday and see protestors march from the hotel to Roscrea Castle. The route is along the Old Dublin Road and onto Church Road and conclude at Market Square.
Mr. Gleeson said anyone wishing to take part but unable for the lengthy walk can meet the demonstration in the town centre, where local activists and elected representatives will address the crowd.
Independent County Councillor, Roscrea man Shane Lee, also addressed the meeting at Racket Hall and thanked the people of Roscrea and surrounding areas for their unwavering support.
Mr. Lee said the town is shaken by the scenes which unfolded at the Racket Hall Hotel on Monday last and that he will support whatever decision organisers take about continuing to maintain a presence at the hotel.
Opinion was divided among those present about continuing to demonstrate at the gates of the hotel, with the majority of contributors leaning towards continuing a smaller scale protest.
Heartfelt and very poignant contributions from local present condemned the lack of resources in the town and said the protest has focused government attention on the town and presents an opportunity to secure funding for issues they feel need urgent attention.
"We've made history in Roscrea this week" one man said.
More on this breaking story as it happens
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