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Calls for Eddie Shaw to resign. Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland
Eddie Shaw
Petition wants Minister to fire Eddie Shaw for giving pro-life leaflets to kids
The chairman of the school board distributed leaflets to children as young as five to promote a ‘Vigil for Life’ rally in Dublin on 8 June.
A PETITION, WITH over 168 signatures so far, is demanding that the Minister for Education fire the man responsible for handing out pro-life leaflets to young pupils at a Dublin school.
Eddie Shaw, chairman of the school board in south Dublin and former spokesperson for the archbishop of Dublin Cardinal Desmond Connell, distributed leaflets to children as young as five at the Harold School in Glasthule to promote a ‘Vigil for Life’ rally in Dublin on 8 June.
The act has outraged parents who believe that young children should not be used as a pawn to push the anti-abortion agenda of the church.
Shaw met with parents at a meeting last Thursday, where he apologised and said he should have put the leaflets in envelopes instead.
The petition, which was started earlier today, wants Shaw, who is also the head of public relations at Carr Communications to resign after what they believe is “disgraceful behaviour and a continued lack of understanding” by him.
Mouthpiece for religion
Graham O’Malley signed the petition because he believes “our primary school system shouldn’t be a mouthpiece for any religion”.
“I’ll be thinking of this incident while I drive my 4-year-old a half and hour to and from an Educate Together School when he starts junior infants in August,” said R Rabidoux.
Dr Ruth Cullen of the Pro Life Campaign told TheJournal.ie that it was “an unfortunate incident”.
“We all make mistakes from time to time and I’ve no doubt that those involved regret the upset caused by what happened,” she added.
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