The Clare Champion National Union of Journalists chapel today held a minutes silence in solidarity with the people of France, as they begin three days of national mourning following the Charlie Hebdo attacks in Paris.
In a campaign launched by the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) and supported by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, the groups have condemned the French attack.
Irish NUJ Secretary Séamus Dooley said there was public revulsion at what had happened in Paris yesterday. “We stand with the people of France but especially with the families of those who were killed because of their profession, as journalists and guardians of the peace”.
Local ‘Clare Champion NUJ representative, Carol Byrne echoed these sentiments; “We remembered today all those whose lives were lost in Paris, their families and friends”.
“I now hope that this international campaign will help to highlight the importance of freedom of expression and will unite journalists across the globe in defending that right,” she said.
The NUJ is to hold a public event in Dublin on Saturday morning.
Clare Champion managing director, John Galvin described the killings of the journalists at the Charlie Hebdo offices as an outrage.
A native of Ennis, Colin McGann has been editor of The Clare Champion since August 2020. Former editor of The Clare People, he is a journalism and communications graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology.