Cavan’s first ‘Bridgil’ in support of Palestine

Cavan’s first Bridge Vigil for Palestine took place on Friday evening (May 31).

Around 50 people attended the ‘Bridgil’ beside Cavan bus station to show solidarity with the Palestinian people, which was held simultaneously with a number of other such events around the country.

Last Wednesday, Crubany native Megan Keaney noticed Cavan was one of the only counties not hosting a Bridgil. She organised Friday evening’s demonstration “to show our solidarity in Cavan as part of the 32 county Bridgil”.

“The images that are coming out from Rafah and from Gaza in recent weeks have been so horrendous and it’s beyond comprehension what’s going on,” she said.

“As people who are safe in their own homes just looking on from their phones, coming out of a Friday sunny evening for an hour to show our support is minimum,” she said.

Some passers by beeped their horns, while others clapped as they passed the vigil.

“Any little glimpse and glimmer of hope is something that is needed,” Megan continued.

“I can’t imagine that there’s any hope left so, when the whole world and the political leaders are turning a blind eye to what’s going on, we just want to show that we see them and hear them and we’ll keep fighting for them, fighting their corner.”

Megan was happy with the turnout considering the event was organised “last minute” on Wednesday evening.

“People have showed up,” she said, looking at those who stood with Palestinian flags.

“It would be lovely if more people came because we’re living through a modern-day Holocaust so it would be great if people could actually support a little bit more and do a little bit more.”

Cavan-Belturbet Sinn Féin candidate Michael ‘Bricker’ Wall also attended the vigil for Palestine.

“As an ex-member of the defense forces, we served over in Lebanon in 1995, I saw what the Israelis were doing to the Lebanese at the time.

“It’s nice to get out and show support for the people of Palestine.”

James Mooney, a Cavan driving instructor from Drung, was also present.

“We’re standing here in solidarity with the Palestinian people. There’s atrocities taking place at the moment out in Palestine and we stand right beside them,” he said.

Catherine Murtagh from Virginia wanted to show Palestinians “they are not forgotten”.

“I think, when they do see images, it will raise their spirits. People still care and it is still an important issue,” said Catherine.

Saoirse Ni Bhaoilgheallain from Ballyjamesduff was there on behalf of the Cavan branch for the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign, which is in the process of being established in the Breffni county.

Saoirse, along with activist and Castlerahan native Sean O’Raghallaigh, are trying to establish the branch “in order to get more activity” going in Cavan.

“The Palestinian issue is important to us all,” Saoirse said.

“The genocide that is happening in Gaza affects us all, it is an attack on basic human rights.

“People have been denied food and shelter and water for years.”

Saoirse said the campaign also hopes to promote the Boycott, Divestment, Sanction (BDS) movement, which would see “a boycott over major companies that are involved in Israeli activities”.

Ireland formally recognised the State of Palestine on Tuesday of last week, May 28, when The Government agreed to establish full diplomatic relations between Dublin and Ramallah.

An Ambassador of Ireland to the State of Palestine will be appointed along with a full Embassy of Ireland in Ramallah.

Israel has repeatedly condemned moves to recognise a Palestinian state.

The conflict has killed 36,479 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry. Israel, meanwhile, says the October 7 attack killed 1,200 people, with more than 250 hostages taken.