By Anthony Sheridan
This week witnessed one of the most disgraceful acts of political oppression this country has ever seen.
Water protester Derek Byrne was found guilty and fined €300 for shouting abuse at another citizen.
The only reason Mr. Byrne was convicted was because his insults were directed at a member of the ruling elite – The president, Michael D Higgins.
Mr. Byrne did not directly address Higgins; he was not even in his presence at the time. The insults were merely directed at the president’s car as it sped past a group of protesters.
Mr. Byrne was convicted on a trumped up charge for political reasons, to send a message to all those uppity peasants out there that the state will not tolerate any challenge to its power.
But in a way it was a victory for those of us who reject that corrupt power because the weaker a corrupt state becomes the more oppressive its forces become in response to those who challenge its power.
Increased oppression is an indication of failing power.