The invitation to the nazi, David Irving, to address University College Cork (UCC) university's Philosophical Society caused great controversy leading to the withdrawal of the invitation. The following is a statement by the Philosophical Society and a response from the Socialist Party.
"Statement of the UCC Philosophical Society following our inability to accommodate Mr Irving on Monday the tenth
The free speech debate the Philosophical Society intended to have has always been about free speech, not about the holocaust, or Mr Irving’s views specifically. Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate Mr Irving on this occasion, despite titanic efforts by our committee, due to a number of factors.
A campaign of intimidation has been run by individuals opposed to Mr. Irving’s visit, against our members, the meeting, and indeed Mr. Irving himself. Threats of violence have been made, which we had to take very seriously. This, in addition to pressure from the Gardai and lack of support from elements within the college, has made Mr. Irving’s attendance at our debate impossible.
The debate is, as has been stated numerous times, still going ahead. The motion “That this house believes free speech should be free from restraint” remains unchanged. We can now release that the location of the debate is Boole Four in UCC and it will begin at eight. Socialist Party Councillor Mick Barry, a vocal opponent of our decision to invite Mr. Irving has now agreed to speak in opposition to the motion and to defend the so called “Stop Irving Campaign.”
We would encourage all those who had intended to attend the meeting to still do so, and to voice their opinions on the matter regardless. We would also invite those who opposed Mr. Irving being provided a platform to come and debate the issue in his absence.
The Philosophical Society’s intention has always been to facilitate debate. Due to the massive pressure put on us by violent thugs this became a national issue and the debate was held on RTE in front of a million people rather than the two hundred we had originally intended. Our aim is to encourage debate, we succeeded in that aim, ironically thanks to those opposed to Irving’s invitation. We consider this a victory and we encourage all sides to attend the debate on Monday to discuss the issue of free speech. (end of UCC statement)
Philosophical myths!
Stephen Boyd - Socialist Party publication date Sat Mar 08, 2008
The above press statement from the UCC Philosophical Society is the latest attempt by that organisation to "spin" and create the myth that they cancelled their invitation to the fascist David Irving "due to the massive pressure put on us by violent thugs".
Ross Frennet, auditor of the Philosophical Society has consistently claimed that officials of that college society and himself were subject to threats and intimidation. The above statement claims that "A campaign of intimidation has been run by individuals opposed to Mr. Irving’s visit, against our members, the meeting, and indeed Mr. Irving himself". If, Ross Frennet or other officials of the Philosophical were subject to threats or intimidation then there is an onus on them to openly state the nature of the threats and or the intimidation which they claim occurred. As it stands they have made unsubstantiated claims against "individuals opposed to Mr. Irving’s visit".
The decision by the Philosophical Society to withdraw its invitation to the fascist Irving was not based on it being subject to a campaign of threats and intimidation. This decision resulted from a well organised campaign of opposition to the Philosophical Society’s irresponsible and infantile decision to invite one of the world’s most notorious fascists to UCC.
The invitation to Irving was withdrawn because the Philosophical Society, the gardai and UCC authorities realised that once again Irving’s presence would attract a massive protest by those who abhor all that he stands for.
The campaign by the political parties, groups and individuals who opposed David Irving’s right to a platform in UCC focused on exposing a further myth that the Philosophical Society have attempted to create – that this was an issue that centred on the right to free speech.
The Philosophical Society have aided and abetted David Irving in his attempt to portray himself as a victim of undemocratic anti-fascists and "thugs" who unjustly want to silence him. Anti-Irving campaigners have succeeded in exposing him to many as a fascist and a Neo-Nazi organiser. He is not the victim. Irving is a Nazi who has the blood of many victims on his hands – the victims of the fascist thugs that he has assisted in organising across Europe and the United States. Thugs who have viciously beaten and murdered blacks, asians, gays, migrants, and political opponents.
The Philosophical Society, along with the Late Late Show have given David Irving the opportunity to falsely portray himself as simply an historian who is at odds with mainstream academia. The Philosoph and the Late Late Show stand condemned for this, for giving succour and support to this degenerate fascist.
We warned that David Irving was coming to Ireland to meet and assist Irish fascists. That he would use his visit to recruit new people to fascism and to Irish fascist organisations. This is exactly what has happened. Irving even boasted in the Irish Times that such a meeting was being held Cork. Evidence exists that similar meetings will take place in Dublin and Belfast.
The organisers of the Philosophical Society should hold their heads in shame that they have facilitated Irving in his task. If there are attacks on migrants, asylum seekers or other minorities by Irish fascists and racists will the Philosoph officers be there to defend the victims with their witty repartee and clever debating skills?
The Philosophical Society is trying to claim they have achieved some sort of victory. On three occasions in the last 15 years the Philosophical Society has attempted to give David Irving a platform from which to spew his fascist propaganda. Three times they have failed. On a further occasion they attempted to bring the fascist BNP youth organiser Tony Wentworth (convicted of racist assaults), to speak and they failed.
Ross Frennet and the officers of the Philosophical Society need to wake up – Irish society has no need of you to enlighten it in relation to democracy or free speech. On the contrary you need to answer the charge that as the officers of a college Society you have aided and abetted the development of fascist organisations and the spreading of fascist ideas in Ireland!
http://ireland.indymedia.org/article/86405&comment_limit=0&condense_comments=false#comment222165
"Statement of the UCC Philosophical Society following our inability to accommodate Mr Irving on Monday the tenth
The free speech debate the Philosophical Society intended to have has always been about free speech, not about the holocaust, or Mr Irving’s views specifically. Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate Mr Irving on this occasion, despite titanic efforts by our committee, due to a number of factors.
A campaign of intimidation has been run by individuals opposed to Mr. Irving’s visit, against our members, the meeting, and indeed Mr. Irving himself. Threats of violence have been made, which we had to take very seriously. This, in addition to pressure from the Gardai and lack of support from elements within the college, has made Mr. Irving’s attendance at our debate impossible.
The debate is, as has been stated numerous times, still going ahead. The motion “That this house believes free speech should be free from restraint” remains unchanged. We can now release that the location of the debate is Boole Four in UCC and it will begin at eight. Socialist Party Councillor Mick Barry, a vocal opponent of our decision to invite Mr. Irving has now agreed to speak in opposition to the motion and to defend the so called “Stop Irving Campaign.”
We would encourage all those who had intended to attend the meeting to still do so, and to voice their opinions on the matter regardless. We would also invite those who opposed Mr. Irving being provided a platform to come and debate the issue in his absence.
The Philosophical Society’s intention has always been to facilitate debate. Due to the massive pressure put on us by violent thugs this became a national issue and the debate was held on RTE in front of a million people rather than the two hundred we had originally intended. Our aim is to encourage debate, we succeeded in that aim, ironically thanks to those opposed to Irving’s invitation. We consider this a victory and we encourage all sides to attend the debate on Monday to discuss the issue of free speech. (end of UCC statement)
Philosophical myths!
Stephen Boyd - Socialist Party publication date Sat Mar 08, 2008
The above press statement from the UCC Philosophical Society is the latest attempt by that organisation to "spin" and create the myth that they cancelled their invitation to the fascist David Irving "due to the massive pressure put on us by violent thugs".
Ross Frennet, auditor of the Philosophical Society has consistently claimed that officials of that college society and himself were subject to threats and intimidation. The above statement claims that "A campaign of intimidation has been run by individuals opposed to Mr. Irving’s visit, against our members, the meeting, and indeed Mr. Irving himself". If, Ross Frennet or other officials of the Philosophical were subject to threats or intimidation then there is an onus on them to openly state the nature of the threats and or the intimidation which they claim occurred. As it stands they have made unsubstantiated claims against "individuals opposed to Mr. Irving’s visit".
The decision by the Philosophical Society to withdraw its invitation to the fascist Irving was not based on it being subject to a campaign of threats and intimidation. This decision resulted from a well organised campaign of opposition to the Philosophical Society’s irresponsible and infantile decision to invite one of the world’s most notorious fascists to UCC.
The invitation to Irving was withdrawn because the Philosophical Society, the gardai and UCC authorities realised that once again Irving’s presence would attract a massive protest by those who abhor all that he stands for.
The campaign by the political parties, groups and individuals who opposed David Irving’s right to a platform in UCC focused on exposing a further myth that the Philosophical Society have attempted to create – that this was an issue that centred on the right to free speech.
The Philosophical Society have aided and abetted David Irving in his attempt to portray himself as a victim of undemocratic anti-fascists and "thugs" who unjustly want to silence him. Anti-Irving campaigners have succeeded in exposing him to many as a fascist and a Neo-Nazi organiser. He is not the victim. Irving is a Nazi who has the blood of many victims on his hands – the victims of the fascist thugs that he has assisted in organising across Europe and the United States. Thugs who have viciously beaten and murdered blacks, asians, gays, migrants, and political opponents.
The Philosophical Society, along with the Late Late Show have given David Irving the opportunity to falsely portray himself as simply an historian who is at odds with mainstream academia. The Philosoph and the Late Late Show stand condemned for this, for giving succour and support to this degenerate fascist.
We warned that David Irving was coming to Ireland to meet and assist Irish fascists. That he would use his visit to recruit new people to fascism and to Irish fascist organisations. This is exactly what has happened. Irving even boasted in the Irish Times that such a meeting was being held Cork. Evidence exists that similar meetings will take place in Dublin and Belfast.
The organisers of the Philosophical Society should hold their heads in shame that they have facilitated Irving in his task. If there are attacks on migrants, asylum seekers or other minorities by Irish fascists and racists will the Philosoph officers be there to defend the victims with their witty repartee and clever debating skills?
The Philosophical Society is trying to claim they have achieved some sort of victory. On three occasions in the last 15 years the Philosophical Society has attempted to give David Irving a platform from which to spew his fascist propaganda. Three times they have failed. On a further occasion they attempted to bring the fascist BNP youth organiser Tony Wentworth (convicted of racist assaults), to speak and they failed.
Ross Frennet and the officers of the Philosophical Society need to wake up – Irish society has no need of you to enlighten it in relation to democracy or free speech. On the contrary you need to answer the charge that as the officers of a college Society you have aided and abetted the development of fascist organisations and the spreading of fascist ideas in Ireland!
http://ireland.indymedia.org/article/86405&comment_limit=0&condense_comments=false#comment222165
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