Dublin Pub owner Queen protester (John Stokes arrested)

Sceala Philosopher

Pub owner John Stokes, 55, and his wife Joan, 54 - the parents of Celtic player Anthony Stokes - were being questioned tonight. The other man held was Paul Byrne, 46 - Anthony's uncle.
All three are being detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act at Store Street, Bridewell and Whitehall Garda stations.
They are being questioned about the possession of firearms and can be held for up to three days.
Players Lounge, Dublin Pub owner and Queen banner
protester, John Stokes has been arrested
Comments about this arrest from Irish opinions.
This is disturbing news. I hope we are not going back to the bad times of Irish state censorship and fitting people up.
This raid involving over 100 Garda looks really over the top and a publicity stunt in itself.
Looks like a state warning to anyone even thinking of peacefully protesting against the Visit of the British Queen to Ireland.
This stunt will backfire, Irish people who were just thinking of protesting will now make extra efforts to protest. Irish people will regard this raid as a direct assault on the collective right of freedom of speech and the basic right to peaceful protest.
Is the Pub owned by John Stokes regularly raided and harassed? or is this timing just coincidence!
Is it really just coincidence, that this raid was on the business premises of John Stokes. Mr Stokes is the publican who had a amusing banner protesting against the British Queens visit.
Irish Community Images

All just coincidence that John Stokes has now had his pub raided and he and other members of his family arrested.

Do Irish people not have the right to protest against the visit of a British Monarchy who benefited from the persecution of countless Irish people, our ancestors and many other natives in terrorized and colonised nations.
The British Crown monarchy built on human slave trade

Should we just clap along to every descendant of every other thug and organized crime syndicate, juts because they have managed to wash their evil money along the way!
Terrorism and organized crime of nation states

What is this labeling people Republicans? Are not the vast majority of Irish people Republicans, do we not live in a free Irish Republic.The Republic of Ireland.

More Comments about this arrest from Irish opinions.
Dublin Pub owner Queen protester John Stokes is reported to have been arrested.
Irish Community Images

A handful of bullets apparently found in some outside shed and some cocaine valued at 500 euros was found in a raid on the Players lounge in Dublin.
Not as if just about anyone could have walked into a public house and planted what ever they liked there is it! Of course that could never happen in Ireland could it.

Violent protest is always wrong, but so is state censorship because state repression can only encourage resistance.
Even if the Irish government and Garda think they can behave as they see fit, Irish people like John Stokes have a right under EU law to peaceful protest and free speech.
The bad old days of Irish state censorship by Connor Cruise O'Brien, can not ever be allowed to come back. The bad days when the Irish state was more interested in censorship and mind control, than the welfare of the Irish citizens. Under Connor Cruise O'Brien's watch, we had thousands of children abused and covered up. In Irish state state schools the systemic abuse of children was ignored. We were fed only the news he wanted us to know. This raid would make Connor Cruise O'Brien proud.

BBC
Celtic player Anthony Stokes' father arrested in raid
Irish police have arrested three people as part of an investigation into the activities of organised criminals.
The operation, which involved up to 100 officers, searched various addresses in north Dublin on Friday.
One of the searches was carried out at the Player's Lounge pub, which had a poster which said: "No visit by the Queen".
The owner of the pub, John Stokes was arrested. He is the father of a Celtic footballer, Anthony Stokes.
Last month, a judge ordered Mr Stokes to remove his controversial sign from outside the Players Lounge in the north Dublin suburb of Fairview, and not to erect another one.

Three held over pub ammunition haul
Three people have been arrested after ammunition was seized in a pub ordered to remove a 40ft banner barring Britain's Queen Elizabeth during her state visit.
A source confirmed that pub owner John Stokes - father of Celtic player Anthony Stokes - is among those arrested on suspicion of possessing firearms.
Last month, a judge ordered Mr Stokes to remove his controversial sign from outside the Players Lounge in the north Dublin suburb of Fairview, and not to erect another one.

Irish Independent
Three people have been arrested after ammunition was seized in a pub ordered to remove a 40ft banner barring the Queen during her state visit to Ireland.
A source confirmed that pub owner John Stokes - father of Celtic player Anthony Stokes - is among those arrested on suspicion of possessing firearms.
Last month, a judge ordered Mr Stokes to remove his controversial sign from outside the Players Lounge in the north Dublin suburb of Fairview, and not to erect another one.

Garda officers raided the pub at around 10am as part of an operation targeting dissident republican and organised criminal activity in the Irish capital.
A handful of bullets found in a shed at the back of the pub have been taken away for ballistic tests and it understood Mr Stokes was arrested at the scene.
A number of private houses were also searched in the Donaghmede area in a crackdown involving more than 100 officers, including the force's special detective unit.
Another two people - a man and a woman - were also arrested during the operation and all three are being detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act.
They are being questioned at Store Street, Bridewell and Whitehall Garda stations.

It is understood the raids are linked to an investigation into a long-running turf war between the so-called Real IRA and drugs gangs.
The bitter rivals are battling for supremacy in a protection racket targeting pubs and clubs.
Last July, three men, including a doorman and two customers, were gunned down outside the Players Lounge.
Cocaine with a street value of about €500 was also recovered during searches this morning.
The two men arrested, aged 54 and 46, and the woman, aged 55, can be held for up to three days.

Mr Stokes, 54, said last month that he reluctantly agreed to take down the massive anti-Queen banner after a senior garda threatened to object to his application for late licences.
The publican said the livelihoods of his 12 staff members would be at risk if he did not get the licence extensions.
But outside Dublin District Court he vowed to continue his protest against the Queen.
Last night, it was confirmed that the state visit to Ireland will take in a tour of several historically significant sites including Croke Park - the scene of a massacre by British troops - and Dublin's Garden of Remembrance - which honours all those who fought for Irish freedom.
The trip, from May 17 to 20, will be the first by a British sovereign to the Republic.

Linking anyone to dissident paramilitaries and organized criminals, just because they do not want the British monarchy here, is a cheap and disgusting trick.
This would not be the first time the state authorities have sunk as low.
When you think how many billions were stolen by Irish bankers working in partnership with foreign gamblers. And the distinct lack of state action.
This does not appear a very fair or measured response to peaceful protest. More state terror against regular Irish opinion.

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Dublin Pub owner Queen protester (John Stokes arrested)