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Rights, Freedoms and Repression
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Pat "the Picket" Allen in Cork Prison after Homeless Protest cork |
rights, freedoms and repression |
news report
 Tuesday December 18, 2007 16:14 by Fintan Lane - ISN
 Pat Allen, known to many as "Pat the Picket" (because of his tireless social justice campaigning), is today sitting in Cork Prison following a protest against homelessness in the city. Yesterday, Pat held one of his regular protests outside Cork City Hall - this time to condemn the local authorities relative inaction on the issue of the homeless. He highlighted the number of homeless who have died in the past few years. |
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Comments (40 of 40)
Jump To Comment: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40This is a vey serious issue as it is known by many of us
who are his friends that Pat is suffering with a number
of serious physical conditions and the stress of being inside
and or being dragged through the courts could very much
exsaserbate his condition.
Sure isn't he in his 60s too? This seems a savage attempt to silence a prominent activist - please do give him all the support yez can.
We should be out in force to support Pat. Most of us are younger than him but don't have the same enthusiasm. He's an inspiration! If it was you he'd be the first person there!
Is there a postal address in Cork (not the prison, maybe a bookshop or something) where one can send a card to Pat. Cards could be passed onto him once he's out or redirected to him if he he is still in etc
Pat has supported many causes over the last few decades. He deserves our support now.
Ciaron I would imagine the best place to send any cards or messages of support would be the CAZ / Barracka Books, 61 Barrack Street.
Pat a.k.a. Spiderman supports the Shell to Sea campaign, Cork Oct 2006
What 'Gravy' says above is absolutely true - if it was you or I in prison or before the courts, Pat would be the first out in support. In fact, I remember receiving messages of support from him while I was on my Christmas holidays in Limerick Prison for anti-war activism back in late 2004 - among his gifts was a large pirate flag (though, unfortunately, the prison authorities withheld this until I was leaving). Likewise, Pat wrote to the Pitstop Ploughshares while they were in prison and also to Mary Kelly.
There is hardly a good cause that Pat hasn't supported over the years. This is a man with a good heart, metaphorically speaking, and, as 'Cropeye' points out, an unwell one physically; he has several serious ailments and should not be in prison. In my opinion, the Cork gardai, who know Pat well, have disgraced themselves in this instance and should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves.
As John Jefferies says, the best place to send messages of support is to Barracka Books on Barrack Street. A Christmas card perhaps with an expression of solidarity?
hugely big hearted and passionate, and a protestor with the funniest sense of humour. He has been protesting in Cork at least since Che Guevara was murdered by the CIA.
He sent me solidarity greetings when I was in Limerick prison.
Will try and make it to the court tomorrow.
Fair play Pat!
This man is a constant nuisance around the city. As a rate payer and major employer here I am sick of him and his type protesting about the most outlandish and silly items which in the most part have very little to do with the city of Cork.
Maybe six months to a year might do him a bit of good.
Many thanks for that recommendation, Jerry the 'major employer'. I suspect Pat will be delighted to add it to his CV when he gets out.
He is not a nuisence. Neither is he a serious political commentator. He is what used to be called a "character" - part of the rich tapestry of Cork life. However, whatever the state of his mental health he should not have kicked in the door of the District Judge's room. Criminal damage is hardly going to help anyone. The Judge concerned in his student days was a Simon Community co-worker and has always been compassionate in his dealings with the homeless.
Pat, has brought into focus what many people choose to ignore, at this time of year
reality of life for people who are homeless is far from the Bertie bowel or exclusive friends with secret bank accounts.
Pat "is not a serious political commentator" sez you. What? Like he's not in the Labour Party or something? He's not Brendan "Pleeeeeze Put me in the Senate" Ryan? What are you on about? Pat is somebody who has consistently made his voice heard for decades on the side of real justice and equality. Pat knows more about homelessness that any judge who did a bit "in his younger days" with Simon. Pat spends his days on the streets and intimately knows the homeless people he's protesting on behalf of.
A character? Yeah...and your point? The man has a sense of humour. As for his mental health, that's just being snide. Pat isn't Einstein (are you?) but he is very clear about the issues that concern him. Is it just an accident that his protests are ALWAYS about the poor, oppressed and marginalised in society?
Jailing Pat Allen - particularly at Xmas ttime - is perverse. He kicked the door of a courthouse? Oh dear. How awful!
Solidarity.
Pat has also actively supported disability causes and has long and difficult experience of dealing with health authorities - another issue that he has devoted much effort to challenging. If he kicked a door it seems uncharacteristic - something or someone must have upset him. What time is his court hearing tomorrow does anyone know?
The Simon Community in Cork recently lost their day centre because of a fire - a vital resource especially during winter. They are trying to fundraise to have it replaced. One of their workers said a few months ago that there has been a significant rise in the number of people trying to stay at the night shelter and that they almost always have to turn people away. Pat's completely right to make a big fuss about the situation. Incredible they've put him in jail, though.
If memory serves me right, the District Court in Anglesea Street begins at 10am. The times given to defendants are imprecise and one simply waits to be dealt with, sometimes for ages, as I've experienced myself on several occasions in the past.
I would suggest that you turn up at 10am. His case, I understand, is scheduled to be dealt with in the morning.
Well Fintan, if you had attended Cork District Court previously you seem to be amnesiac as to the time the court commences. The correct time is 10.30am. The cases are then dealt with in the order which is most convenient for the public. The judge generally deals with short and unconcontested matters first and longer matters where witness-evidence is required, afterwards. The court will also try to take bail applications from people who are in custody as early as possible in the day so that they are not unnecessarily detained. Defendants in contested cases (and their lawyers and the guards who are to give evidence against them) obviously have to wait their turn in the list.
I agree that it would be a shame if Pat were in custody for Christmas. He is obviously not a well person in his mind and needs appropriate medical treatment. Incidentally, he is before the court, not for protesting, but for allegedly causing several hundreds of euros worth of damage to the door of one of the judge's chambers.
Incidentally, unlike Cork Simon, the VdeP, and various state-agencies and voluntary groups such as Sister Consilios, I am unaware of any record of working with the poor and homeless by the ISM. Stangely, their interest is only shown, not when real work needs to be done, but when an opportunity for shouting and protesting comes around.
Tsk tsk, what matter if it be 10.00 or 10.30am the point is people be there.
The concern about Pat is for his physical health and wellbeing, others are twisting this to infer something else.
I didn't know that Fintan was with the ISM - Irish School of Motoring!!!
i think it is outrages too put pat in jail !!!!!i hope i see him around the lough dressed as santy soon!!!!:)
As a frequent visitor to Rossport, Pat has shared his unique insights with the people of Mayo, and we wish him well in his current situation... no doubt it will add to his "character" that endears him to all those who meet him.
Mr 'Leesider' is full of Christmas cheer and goodwill, isn't he? Dear God, court starts at 10.30am rather than 10am. Strike one! What an idiotic nit-picking point! Strange, though, that he knows so much about court starting times.
But, really, why knock people for supporting Pat Allen? What's the beef? The guy is potentially in jail for Christmas for kicking a courthouse door. Several hundred euros worth of damage? Gis a break? It'll be interesting to see that amount proved in court. It's just bullshit for the charge sheet. Pat has no track record of lashing out, so, if its true that he kicked a door, it's completely out of character and it will be very interesting to see what led up to it.
If it's true he is in jail for kicking a door.
How did Roy Keane get out of Cork without doing time?
This is a "crime" commited by scores of multimillionaire footballers every weekend that goes uninvestigated.
Sounds like selective prosecution to me!
The judiciary & the Gardai are currently trying to 'make an example' of anyone who makes a noise over State injustice, for whatever cause - Shannon, Rossport, w.h.y. They would like the general populace to be intimidated, keep their heads down in the consumer trough & not risk disgrace or endangering their jobs/mortgage for the trivial matters of human rights & national sovereignty.
Just received a text to say that Pat's case has been heard - he was fined E150 and bound to the peace for two years.
At least he's now out of prison.
Cork radio when discussing your case gave a message to children listening in to not to get upset - it was not the real santa locked up in jail! But you are!! You have definitely brought good cheer and santa spirit to the shocking situation of the homeless. I think Simon founders Sally Trench and Anton Wallich Clifford would be so disgusted with what goes on there.
I was homeless for part of winter 2 years ago and got to know the workers there- very good people but so fearful to step outside the box and fight those constanly limiting its original vision. Good on ya for protestin about stuff in Cork and stuff that has very little to do with Cork!
Welcome back to minimum security (as the late Phil Berrigan use to call being outside the prison gates.....because this sure ain't "freedom" we're experiencing on the streets!) Pat!
Seems like they are into locking up free spirits this Christmas across the globe.
Fr. Martin Newell and Zelda Jeffers are in court this morning in Srtratford, east London for their truth telling at the Dsei Arms Bazaar.
See link for photos and background
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/09/380866.html
Pat appeared in court No.3 this morning and his case came up quite early. He was granted Legal Aid and counsel said her client had been angered by official indifference to the plight of the homeless in Cork and had accepted responsibility for the damage to the door which a Garda witness said amounted to €100 for repairs.
Pat was ordered to pay €100 for the damages plus a fine of €150 with 90 days to pay (or 15 days in lieu). He was then released.
A number of supporters were in court and a group of well-wishers waited outside there to welcome him on release.
Well-wishers welcome Pat on his release
Pat the Picket meets Pat the Piper - greeted by anti bin-charges activist and bagpiper Pat Hurley
Good to see your out Pat, protests are never the same without you.
Best wishes Pat, glad you back in action after that brief, horrible distraction.
Happy Christmas and good things always to you and yours.
Pat bringing great craic to Rossport Solidarity Camp Gathering in June 2007.
protest to much???????????????????????????????????????????????????
by jerry 2623
pig,how dare you
,we love pat!!!!!
he has done more than you can imagine-
we will continue to support our comrade.
------------------------------------------------------
grumpy fcukr :
I'd like to thank everyone for caring and thinking of me while I was in prison. All your emails have shown them up.
Strong support "thats the way a ha aha I like it" I can't wait for another picket or protest going on 40 years now at it.
Yours faithfully
your Pat Allen
the protestors choice
Hows it goin ? Im just here to say my uncle Pat is losing his battle against cancer. We have just been in formed that he has days to live. Please pass this through the grape vine and i will keep any one who wants to know more informed. Thanks Paul.
RIP Pat Allen. Éire Saor, Éire Gaelach.
Sad news indeed. He will be sadly missed wherever people stand up for their rights.
Funeral arrangements here:-
http://www.rip.ie/death_notices_detail.asp?NoticeID=119244
Pat the picket - rest in (breach the) peace.
DEATH OF WELL KNOW CORK CHARACTER , PAT ALLEN.
If there is a heaven, Pat is differently there because his heart is so big.
The only problem is he won't get passed the pearly gates because he will be after chaining himself to them for some reason. Maybe some issue with the Vatican!
Pat the Picket supported some good causes with his flair for good cheer. I stand in a moment of silence.
Hi !
I'm upset to hear of the passing of 'The Picket' - we had good craic in Dublin , at the GPO and elsewhere , with Pat helping us to attract , and hold , a crowd for our rallies and pickets etc.
But I know he will still be there with us , in spirit.
Go raibh maith agat ,
Sharon.
Pat at the GPO in Dublin , Easter 2008.
Deepest sympathies to friends and family in Cork
A great character and an inspring figure
He was the Ireland I was told about by my late father when I was growing up in Australia
Ireland's loss, heaven's gain.
A great turn out at Pats farwell today.
The myriad of people in attendance was a tribute to his sweet soul. So many people of different backrounds ages etc were befriended
by him and were genuinely moved. I was proud to call him a friend.
A highlight of funeral mass in Ballypheane Church was Lady Grew singing the full version of Working Class Hero on the steps of the alter.
All the comments on Pat were heartfelt and deserved.
A big bualadh bos to all who contributed.
And our thoughts continue to be with Eileen and Pat's large extended family.
I am extremely saddened to read this news in my Inbox this morning: I have fond memories of Pat the Picket in his many outfits around demos and also around Cork city when I lived there. He would almost always raise a smile.
His concern for the underdog was very genuine and he added much-needed colour to the leftist scene, as well as providing an antidote to those (minority) elements of the left that can be drearily dogmatic and/or self-serving.
He also won the prize for the most original communications the Pitstop Ploughshares received in Limerick Prison, which included a massive banner of the Sacred Heart in neon colours!
I trust he is now in a much better and more equitable place.
R.I.P.
Deirdre Clancy.