BREAKING: Over 300 attend Palestine solidarity vigil in Kildare

More than 300 people attended a peace vigil in solidarity with Palestine last night.

The event was organised by the Kildare Palestine Solidarity Group outside the courthouse building in Naas.

People of all ages attended and many carried Palestinian flags and candles. Others wore the Palestinian keffiyeh scarf.

There was no garda presence at the event and many passing motorists sounded their horns in a gesture of support.

A number of bloodstained effigies of babies, representing the infants killed in the war, were placed beneath a canopy on the pavement.

Daithí Mac an Bhaird, a teacher at Gael-Choláiste Chill Dara in Naas and one of the organisers, said it was held to give people an opportunity “to come out and call for a ceasefire and end to the blockade and the siege.”

He said many people are finding the carnage of the conflict hard to bear “without doing something about it.”

He also said the purpose was to make a loud call on  “all in positions of power to make their voices heard.”

Local councillor Bill Clear (Social Democrats) said his is one of the few political parties taking a firm stand against Israeli action.

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He said all of the hostages should be released. Gaza, he said, is being annihilated, the schools and hospitals are being targeted, one and a million have been displaced. He said the death toll of 10,000 included 4,000 children.

Among those present was singer Eva Scott, the daughter of musician and politician Frances Black.

“We feel helpless because we can’t do anything but we want our voice to be heard. We are shocked at the loss of life while the world looks away. This is a revenge, it’s a genocide and one of the worst atrocities committed,” said Ms Scott.