Security at University College Cork has been deemed the highest priority ahead of the visit of controversial historical revisionist David Irving on Monday, March 10.

Gardaí at Barrack Street confirmed to the Cork Independent that they have been liaising with security staff at the college, although no specific details as to the number of Gardaí that would be deployed could be given, as, according to a spokesperson, Irving’s attendance at the debate had yet to be confirmed.

The decision by the UCC Philosophical Society to invite Irving, the world’s most widely known Holocaust denier, has attracted much criticism, with both political activists and anti-fascist organisations calling for the debate to be called off immediately.  Irving, who’s last visit to Cork in 1999 resulted in a riot when protesters clashed with Gardaí, will debate on the motion ‘That This House Believes That Free Speech Should be Free from Restraint’, with Irving speaking in proposition.

Ross Frenett, UCC’s Philosophical Society Auditor, says, “We’re hoping that protesters will behave themselves better then they did in 1999. On that occasion a number of UCC staff were injured in the fracas and obviously our main concern is for their safety this time around. The issue of safety is our highest priority right now. As such, the date of Monday, March 10 is, at this point in time, only a provisional one and could be subject to change depending on circumstances. We would hope that if protesters do feel the need to voice their disapproval then they do so peacefully. This is not a discussion about the Holocaust, but about the issue of free speech”.

Socialist Party councillor Mick Barry however says that the college should not be giving any such platform to someone of Irving’s standing and he launched a stinging criticism of the UCC society for doing so. “The decision to invite this Nazi to Cork is ignorant, stupid and provocative. Never forget that six million people died in the Holocaust that Mr Irving denies. The invitation insults the memory of the dead  and damages the reputation of the university and the city itself. I am calling on the organisers to withdraw the invitation immediately.”

When asked about the likelihood of staging a peaceful protest, Cllr Barry said, “This meeting should be stopped by the college society concerned withdrawing their foolish and irresponsible invitation. Should they refuse to do so then I would hope that a mass anti-fascist demonstration on the night would ensure that the meeting cannot proceed.

“In my opinion the disturbances that occurred when this stunt was last tried in 1999 were overstated by some sections of the media but nevertheless undoubtedly indicated the huge depth of feeling on the part of thousands of ordinary people in this city against nazism, a depth of feeling which has not gone away.  Any disturbances that did occur that night were solely and exclusively the responsibility of those who invited a known Nazi to speak in this city.”

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