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2019 Lyra McKee’s Partner Leads Rally Calling King And Queen Of Sweden To
Begin State Visit To Ireland
22nd, For Same-Sex Marriage In The North

May he partner of mur-

dered journalist Lyra
| TMcKee made a public
EXAMINER plea for same-sex marriage

in Northern Ireland as she
addressed a rally of thou-

IRISH sands in Belfast on
Saturday.
Sara Canning told the
crowds gathered outside City
Hall that a law change would
be a “win” for everyone in The King and Queen of Sweden arrive in Ireland on
the region. Wednesday for a three-day state visit.
After being warmly It will involve a series of engagements in Dublin, Westmeath,
applauded on to the stage, Ms Galway and Clare, and include a meeting with Taoiseach Leo
Canning questioned why green or orange issue, a 8,000 people took part in the Varadkar and President Michael D Higgins.
same-sex couples were treat- demand of just one side or noisy and colourful protest. The state visit of King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden
ed differently in Northern the other and it shouldn’t be a Ahead of the rally, Ms will begin their visit at Áras an Uachtaráin where they will meet
Ireland than the rest of the political football. Canning had revealed that President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina.
UK, where same-sex marriage “Same-sex couples come she challenged the British It will be followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the Garden
is legal. from every single political, Prime Minister on the issue of Remembrance, a tour of Croke Park and a civic reception at
“We pay our taxes, we are religious, cultural, and racial when she attended Ms the Mansion House.
governed by the same laws, background. A vote passing McKee’s funeral in Belfast last Thursday’s engagements will include a meeting with the
we live deeply and we love on equal marriage would not month, urging Theresa May Taoiseach at Government Buildings, and visits to Trinity College
dearly – why should we not be a ‘win’ for any one side, it to step in and legislate on and the National Library.
be afforded the same rights in would be a win for all sides.” marriage laws above the head Their trip will conclude on Friday after visits to Athlone,
marriage?” she asked. Police on the ground esti- of the collapsed Stormont Oranmore, and the Burren in County Clare.
“Equal marriage is not a mated that around 7,000 to Assembly. C A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs says the
program of events are aimed at highlighting the historical, cultur-
al and economic ties between the two countries.
The King and Queen will be accompanied by the Swedish
minister for foreign affairs and minister for energy and digital
development for the visit.C

Polls Show Increased Support For Green Party
Ahead Of Local And European Elections

The Green Party has seen a significant bounce in support in
two polls ahead of the local and European elections.
One of the surveys also shows Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil neck
and neck ahead of Friday’s vote.
Two separate opinion polls release at the weekend both show
a four-point bounce for the Green Party.
The party would feel hopeful about taking a European seat
with the 5%-7% levels of support outlined.
The Red C poll of 2,000 adults for the Sunday Business Post
was done between May 6 and 16 and shows a five-point drop in
support for Fine Gael to 28%.
That is still four points clear of Fianna Fáil which is up by 1%
to 24%, with Sinn Féin down one to 13%.
The behaviour and attitudes poll of 954 voters was done
between May 2 and 14 for the Sunday Times.
It also has Fine Gael on 28%. But B&A puts them level with
Fianna Fáil, which falls 1% month on month.
That poll shows Sinn Féin down two to 19%. C

Drugs With An Estimated Street Value Of
€125,000 Seized In Carlow
Gardaí in Carlow have seized drugs with an estimated street
value of €125,000.
Gardaí attached to the Carlow Detective Unit with assistance
from the Garda Dog Unit searched a premises at Phelim Wood,
Tullow last Friday.
Six and quarter kilograms of cannabis herb, subject to analysis,
was recovered.
A 44-year-old man was arrested at the scene and detained at
Carlow Garda Station under the provisions of Section 2 –
Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking Act) 1996 in relation to the
investigation. C