Vigil for Gaza on the Market Square in Cavan

A vigil will take place later today (Sunday) at 7pm, October 6, at Cavan’s town square to remember the people of Gaza.

The event is being organised by the Cavan branch of the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign. It takes place almost a year to the day the latest round of hostilities began in October 2023.

Meath woman Megan De Síun is a member of Cavan’s branch of the campaign and explained why the vigil is taking place.

“The vigil is a moment of collective mourning, because it is the eve of one year since the conflict in Gaza has started.

“We‘re basically taking just a moment to stand together to feel that collective sense of loss, senseless loss, that has happened over the past year."

The conflict has seen over 42,000 Palestinians killed since October 7 and over 1,100 killed in Israel.

The 33 year old said the vigil will “mark what has been a constant escalation in violation of international humanitarian law with the consistent loss of life".

Speakers will attend on the night and people are invited to come, light candles and raise funds for the Red Cross Ireland Gaza appeal.

“It would just be a moment to talk to people about what’s happening, maybe answer questions if people have questions,” she said, adding that people will also have the opportunity to join the IPSC.

Speaking of answering questions, one which may be on a lot of people’s minds is what is happening in Palestine at the moment, which Megan described as a “loaded question".

“Regardless of personal feelings, there is an international right of violent resistance for people under occupation in occupied territory.

“For all intents and purposes Palestine is an occupied land.

“They have that right to violent resistance,” she said.

She believes Israel has been “very clear” in stating it want sto “expand its occupation”.

“The spirit of the IPSC is to foster solidarity and raise funds, my personal opinion is that it’s clear that the occupation is expanding,” she stated.

The Cavan branch of the campaign began in February this year and currently has around 20 members. It was created to foster a sense of “solidarity locally". She shared the group's view on what is happening in Palestine currently.

“Palestine and Ireland have a shared history of occupation,” she began, adding that people in the group have “different opinions” on the political aspect of the conflict.

“The IPSC exists to foster solidarity, raise funds, share knowledge and build community spirit between Ireland and Palestine.

“That’s our core mission,” she said.

Outside of this, she said the group aims to bring awareness to “issues” that are happening.

“Gaza was one of the youngest and most densely populated regions on earth before the aggression.

“It’s really important for us to acknowledge that, when things like this happen, it’s not just Hamas, it’s not just terrorists that are being affected, it’s children who are not in school, it’s hospitals, aid workers, journalists who are being attacked at a higher rate than anyone else and that’s what really important to us.”

Having just finished a masters degree in sociology and social justice at Staffordshire University, Megan believes that community organisations are “how we improve everything going forward".

“If everybody stood up and planted themselves in one community organisation, things would be a lot better for everybody in my opinion.”

“The most important thing is to show up [to the vigil] and experience that sense of mourning,” she concluded.