{{Short description|Irish anti-abortion organisation}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2015}} {{Use Hiberno-English|date=July 2015}} {{Infobox organization | name = Youth Defence | image = Youth_Defence_logo.jpg | image_size = | formation = {{start date and age|1986}};<ref name="corkexaminer1986" /> reformed {{start date and age|1992}}<ref name="de Bréadún">{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/archive/1992/0611/Pg006.html|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=11 June 1992|title=Anti-abortion campaigners are determined to slay the treaty|first=Deaglán|last=de Bréadún}}</ref><ref name="1992-05-04-irishtimes">{{cite news|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=4 May 1992|title=Mobilising youth as a weapon to crusade against abortion|first=Mary|last=Cummins|page=16}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=http://www.youthdefence.ie/history/ydhis1992.htm |title=YD History 1992 |access-date=2016-07-28 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000601021020/http://www.youthdefence.ie/history/ydhis1992.htm |archive-date= 1 June 2000 }}</ref><ref name="corkexaminer1986" /> | type = {{unbulleted list|Social conservatism|Anti-abortion}} | headquarters = Dublin, Ireland | leader_title = Chairman | leader_name = | leader_title2 = Spokesperson | leader_name2 = {{unbulleted list|Niamh Uí Bhriain|Íde Nic Mhatúna}} | leader_title3 = Former Leader | leader_name3 = Justin Barrett | website = {{Official website|https://thelifeinstitute.net/youth-defence}} }}
'''Youth Defence''' is an Irish organisation that opposes legalisation of abortion. It was founded in 1986 (during the 1986 divorce referendum),<ref name="corkexaminer1986" /> lay dormant, and was reformed in 1992 following the judgment in the X Case.<ref name="de Bréadún" /><ref name="1992-05-04-irishtimes"/><ref name="auto"/> It shared offices with the Eurosceptic group Cóir,<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/youth-defence-is-telling-lies-says-minister-26449601.html | newspaper=Irish Independent | title=Youth Defence is telling lies, says minister|date=28 May 2008|first=Fionnan|last=Sheahan}}</ref> but is not openly aligned to any specific political party. It is linked to neo-fascist organisations in Italy, Germany and Great Britain.
==Foundation and overview== Youth Defence was founded during the 1986 divorce referendum to campaign against the legalisation of divorce. Niamh Nic Mhathúna was one of the spokespeople. They had sixty members, most of whom were children of Family Rights Council members.<ref name="corkexaminer1986">{{cite news|date=29 June 1986|title=£200m bill?|page=10|newspaper=Cork Examainer|quote=according to Youth Defence a recently established organisation campaigning against divorce ... Niamh Nic Mhathuna, a spokesperson for Youth Defence}}</ref> There is not much activity from the group after that referendum.
During the X Case in 1992, Youth Defence reemerged, campaigning against abortion. They claimed to be newly founded by Niamh Nic Mhathúna as well as six other anti-abortion activists including Peter Scully (who co-founded Family & Life in 1996), Úna Bean Nic Mhathúna and Una's husband Séamus Mac Mathúna.<ref name="1992-05-04-irishtimes" /><ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The Phoenix|title=Young Bloods: The Nic Mhathúna Sisters|date =27 July 2012}}</ref>
James Reynolds, later deputy president of the National Party was a County Longford Youth Defence member in the early 1990s.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.hotpress.com/politics/frontlines/I-Was-A-Member-Of-Youth-Defence/10023271.html|title=I Was A Member Of Youth Defence|date=18 November 1992|magazine=Hot Press|volume=16|number=22|quote=The proposed chairperson of the local YD affiliate, Mr James Reynolds}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|newspaper=Longford Leader|date=16 October 1992|title=Low-key abortion campaign so far|page=3|first=Geraldine|last=Grennan|quote=locl "Youth Defence" activists, Hames Reynolds, from Loughill, Coolarty was not involved in Friday's demonstration}}</ref>
In 2015, the chairman of Youth Defence was Dr. Eoghan De Faoite.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Opposing sides clash during abortion rallies in Dublin|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/opposing-sides-clash-during-abortion-rallies-in-dublin-1.2273918|last=D'Arcy|first=Ciarán|newspaper=The Irish Times|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/joint_committee_on_health_and_children/2013-01-10/2/|title=Joint Committee on Health and Children debate - Thursday, 10 Jan 2013|publisher=Oireachtas|date=10 January 2013|access-date=28 May 2020}}</ref>
==Neo-Nazi links== The National Library of Ireland formerly described Youth Defence as "a pro-life organisation and lobby group with strong neo-Nazi links".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000521722|title=Holdings: Youth Defence|access-date=17 February 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170217230308/http://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000521722|archive-date=17 February 2017}}</ref> Far-right Irish nationalist Justin Barrett is a former Public Relations Officer<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/archive/1998/0622/Pg009.html|title=Group claims fall in numbers of pro-abortion politicians|first=Roddy|last=O'Sullivan|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=22 June 1998|access-date=28 July 2016|page=9|quote=the organisation's PRO told an international conference ... Mr Justin Barrett told the conference}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=17 April 1999|title=Corrections and Clarifications|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/archive/1999/0417/Pg016.html|page=16|access-date=28 July 2016|quote=Justin Barrett, PRO of Youth Defence}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.youthdefence.ie/press/press.htm|archive-date=16 August 2000|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000816100302/http://www.youthdefence.ie/press/press.htm|publisher=Youth Defence|date=16 August 2000|title=YD PRO denied entry to 'public' hearings: 9th May 2000|quote=the exclusion, by name, of the Public Relations Officer of Youth Defence, from the visitors' gallery, raises serious questions. In spite of having attended the hearings previously, Justin Barrett was refused admission today}}</ref> and leader of the group.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/irish-far-right-groups-remain-on-the-margins-of-political-life-109464.html|title=Irish far right groups remain on the margins of political life |last=Millar |first=Scott |date=12 January 2010 |newspaper=Irish Examiner |quote=...former Youth Defence leader, Justin Barrett.}}</ref><ref name=Analysis2001>{{cite news |url=http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/the-man-wired-to-fight-abortion-510801.html |title=The man wired to fight abortion |last=Killilea |first=Gayle |date=7 October 2001 |newspaper=Independent.ie |quote=...Justin Barrett, Youth Defence's chief spokesman and mastermind.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|newspaper=Sunday Independent|date=16 May 2004|page=117|title=Confessions of a Polcorr|quote=Fianna Fail researchers also dug up information about the Youth Defence leader Justin Barrett"s trips to neo-Nazi events in Germany|first=Katie|last=Hannon}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|newspaper=Irish Independent|date=21 August 2009|page=12|first=Aideen|last=Sheehan|title=Treaty opponent no stranger to politics|quote=Mr Reynolds has also strongly backed the pro-life cause, and he was closely associated with Youth Defence leader Justin Barrett|url=http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/treaty-opponent-no-stranger-to-politics-26560034.html}}</ref><ref name="forzanuova-website-18june2001">{{cite web|trans-title=Welcome to the official website of Forza Nuova|title=Benvenuti al sito ufficiale di Forzanuova|language=it|archive-date=18 June 2001|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010618054430/http://www.forzanuova.org/|url=http://www.forzanuova.org/|quote=Justin Barret leader di Youth Defence, il movimento antiabortista irlandese, che e' stato presente di persona ripetutamente a convegni e manifestazioni di Forza Nuova (Milano, Bologna...).}}</ref> During the 2002 Second Treaty of Nice referendum it was revealed that Justin Barrett had attended and spoken at neo-Nazi party events in Germany and Italy. He initially denied the charges, and threatened newspapers with libel suits, but later conceded that he had spoken at those events. Youth Defence denied having "any relationship whatsoever" with the National Democratic Party of Germany, calling it a "media smear campaign".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.truthtv.org/newstext.asp?newsid=961|title=YD outraged at media smear campaign|publisher=Youth Defence|date=13 October 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021103065159/http://www.truthtv.org/newstext.asp?newsid=961|archive-date=3 November 2002|quote=Youth Defence said today that they were absolutely outraged by allegations in the Irish Times that they had any relationship whatsoever with any German right wing organisation. In a statement, the organisation categorically denied that they had any links with the NDP or its Youth wing ... Youth Defence are sick and tired of attempts to discredit the organisation by alleging links with various parties.}}</ref> The Pro Life Campaign, another Irish anti-abortion group, strongly criticised Barrett for taking part in these events.<ref name="irishtimes-12oct2002" />
{{Blockquote|author=John Smyth, Pro Life Campaign spokesman|text=No amount of evasion or spin on Mr Barrett's part can explain away the seriousness of attending such conferences. It is nonsense to contend that speaking at a neo-fascist rally somehow serves the interest of building a more caring pro-life culture or the broader human rights agenda, which he claims to espouse. The groups with which Mr Barrett and Youth Defence are reported to be associated have an agenda of social exclusion and political extremism}}
Justin Barrett left Youth Defence in 2004.<ref name="npfaq">{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalparty.ie/faq/|title=Frequently Asked Questions|publisher=The National Party|access-date=30 November 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161130202913/http://www.nationalparty.ie/faq/|archive-date=30 November 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> By 2016, a spokesperson at Youth Defence said that they had never heard of Justin Barrett, or ever had any dealing with him.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thejournal.ie/the-national-party-merrion-hotel-3084352-Nov2016/|newspaper=TheJournal.ie|quote=a `+call was placed to pro-life organisation Youth Defence with whom he had previously worked. However the spokesperson who replied said they had never heard of Barrett, nor had had any dealings with him.|date=16 November 2016|access-date=7 February 2017|title=Dublin hotel cancels launch of new extreme right-wing party which had been planned for tomorrow}}</ref>
===British far-right groups=== {{See also|Far-right politics in the United Kingdom}}
In 1993 Youth Defence wrote a letter to Candour, a far right magazine in the UK, introducing Youth Defence and ending with a request for funds.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://spotlightontheright.wordpress.com/2016/10/17/no-4-youth-defence-article-in-far-right-candour-magazine-1993/|title=No. 4 : Youth Defence article in far-right Candour magazine (1993)|publisher=Spotlight on the Right|date=17 October 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Candour|first=Cliona|last=Ni Mhurchu|title=A Breath of Fresh Eire|volume=45|issue=9, 10 & 11|url=https://spotlightontheright.wordpress.com/2016/10/17/no-4-youth-defence-article-in-far-right-candour-magazine-1993/}}</ref><ref name="sundaymirror"/><ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Magill|date=2002|url=http://www.lookleftonline.org/2012/12/sinster-shadows/|title=Sinister Shadows}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Undertones: Anti-fascism and the far right in Ireland 1945-2012|first=Bernardo|last=O'Reilly|publisher=Anti-Fascist Action Ireland|page=50}}</ref>
===German far-right group=== {{See also|National Democratic Party of Germany|Far-right politics in Germany}}
Barrett has spoken at events organised by the neo-Nazi National Democratic Party of Germany (NPD) several times, and been the guest of honour at a NPD rally in Passau, Germany in 2000, in which anti-semitic speeches, peppered with quotes from Adolf Hitler were given, alongside claims that "Germany was the biggest victim of the second World War". Hundreds of skinheads gave standing ovations to elderly Nazis.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/far-right-rally-had-welcome-for-irish-no-activist-1.1098691|title=Far-right rally had welcome for Irish No activist|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=11 October 2002|first=Derek|last=Scully|page=11|quote=Brown shirts and skinheads, elderly Nazi heroes with memories of the good old days... and Justin Barrett, honoured guest from Ireland. Derek Scally reports from Berlin on the German extreme right group and the No to Nice campaigner}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The Irish Times|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/barrett-admits-he-attended-far-right-meeting-1.1098970|date=12 October 2002|page=9|first=Joe|last=Humphreys|title=Barrett admits he attended far-right meeting|quote=Mr Barrett, who earlier this week declined to confirm or deny to The Irish Times his attendance at the meeting in the Bavarian city of Passau in May 2000, yesterday admitted he attended the conference, as well as an estimated two other events linked to the NPD.}}</ref> <ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The Irish Times|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/extreme-right-group-confirms-barrett-link-1.1098654|title=Extreme-right group confirms Barrett link|date=11 October 2002|page=1|quote="Justin Barrett was an honorary guest at our event in Passau. I invited him. He sat with the delegates," said Mr Holger Apfel, the deputy leader of the NPD. "We have been in contact with his group since 1996. We are friendly with his Youth Defence organisation."|first=Derek|last=Scully}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|newspaper=Irish Independent|date=25 May 2004|title=Barrett campaign to go full term despite poll|url=http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/barrett-campaign-to-go-full-term-despite-poll-25915728.html|page=6|quote=Mr Barrett (33) became caught up in controversy during the Nice Treaty campaign when it was revealed that he had close contact with an extreme right-wing party in Germany. Authorities there believed the party displayed "Nazi characteristics""}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/irish-no-spokesman-tied-to-neo-nazis-139799.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220507/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/irish-no-spokesman-tied-to-neo-nazis-139799.html |archive-date=7 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Irish 'no' spokesman tied to neo-Nazis|newspaper=The Independent|date=12 October 2002|first=David|last=McKittrick|quote=Justin Barrett, who fronts the "No to Nice Campaign," was said to have attended a fascist-style rally mounted by a party that German authorities believe has "Nazi characteristics". }}{{cbignore}}</ref> The NPD confirmed that they have been in contact with Youth Defence for at least 6 years before.
{{Blockquote|text=Justin Barrett was an honorary guest at our event in Passau. I invited him. He sat with the delegates. We have been in contact with his group since 1996. We are friendly with his Youth Defence organisation.|author=Holger Apfel, then deputy leader of the NPD}}
He attended two conferences, in October 1999 and 2000, organised by the youth wing of the NDP, the JN, alongside famous American white nationalist William Luther Pierce. The JN has spoken about how Youth Defence were an important part of their network.<ref name="irishtimes-12oct2002">{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/neo-nazis-affirm-links-with-youth-defence-1.1098966|title='Neo-Nazis' affirm links with Youth Defence|first=Derek|last=Scully|date=12 October 2002|newspaper=The Irish Times|page=9|quote=A leading far-right politician in Germany has described the anti-abortion group Youth Defence as "an important part of our international network". Youth Defence is the backbone of the No to Nice Campaign, whose chief spokesman is Mr Justin Barrett.}}</ref>
{{Blockquote|text=Of particular attraction was the participation of... the leader of the National Alliance from the USA, Dr William Pierce and, last but not least, the leader of a noteworthy Irish anti-abortion group, Justin Barret (sic) from Youth Defense (sic).|source=Young National Democrats (JN) report on the 1999 conference}}
{{Blockquote|A leading far-right politician in Germany has described the anti-abortion group Youth Defence as "an important part of our international network". Youth Defence is the backbone of the No to Nice Campaign, whose chief spokesman is Mr Justin Barrett. ... Mr Sascha Rossmüller, leader of the Young National Democrats (JN), youth wing of the extremist National Democratic Party (NPD), told The Irish Times: "share many important interests." The German authorities say the JN began to take on neo-Nazi characteristics in 1996.|source=The Irish Times<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/neo-nazis-affirm-links-with-youth-defence-1.1098966|title='Neo-Nazis' affirm links with Youth Defence|last=Scally|first=Derek|publisher=The Irish Times|date=12 October 2002|access-date=12 April 2004}}</ref>}}
===Italian far-right group=== {{See also|Forza Nuova}}
Barrett and Youth Defence founder{{citation needed|date=December 2017}} Niamh Uí Bhriain spoke at Meeting for friendship among peoples in Rimini, Italy, alongside Forza Nuova founder and leader Roberto Fiore in August 2000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.meetingrimini.org/eng/default.asp?id=846&item=700|title=Aborto: il genocidio del XX secolo 23/08/2000|language=it|date=23 August 2000|access-date=18 November 2016|archive-date=18 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161118125822/http://www.meetingrimini.org/eng/default.asp?id=846&item=700|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.searchlightmagazine.com/index.php?link=template&story=172|title=Ex-Provo gives new life to Irish clerical fascism|work=Searchlight|date=August 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061024115318/http://www.searchlightmagazine.com/index.php?link=template&story=172|archive-date=24 October 2006|access-date=16 November 2016|quote=Barrett and another Youth Defence founder, Niamh Nic Mhathuna, had attended conferences of Fiore’s neo-fascist Forza Nuova in Italy. }}</ref>
The Forza Nuova website, in June 2001, reported that Justin Barrett had attended many Forza Nuova events in Italy (in Milan, and Bologna).<ref name="forzanuova-website-18june2001"/> He attended and spoke at a Forza Nuova meeting in Milan in November 2002. Barrett shared a platform with Roberto Fiore at a rally of flag-waving Italian fascists at the Hotel Miramar on 20 and 21 July 2001 in the Italian city of Civitanova Marche. At the rally, Barrett was joined by Mario Di Giovanni, Youth Defence's representative in Italy. A group of Forza Nuova students, led by the then 25-year-old Marco Gladi, visited Ireland in 2001 to 'study' with Youth Defence. In an editorial on the Forza Nuova website, the movement calls itself a "friend" of Barrett and praises his efforts to defeat the Nice Treaty. <ref name="sundaymirror">{{cite news|newspaper=Sunday Mirror|date=29 September 2002|title= Fascist Link of 'No to Nice' Chief|first=Francis|last=O'Donnell|url=http://www.indymedia.ie/article/13470}}</ref> <ref>{{cite news|page=31|date=12 October 2002|newspaper=Irish Independent|title=The Persuaders|quote=The Sunday Mirror reported last month that Justin Barrett had attended rallies of ulta-nationalist organisations in Germany and Italy}}</ref> <ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The Irish Times|quote=The story originally surfaced in a Sunday Mirror report drawn from left-wing and anti-fascist sources. Despite a threat of legal action from Mr Barrett's solicitors, The Irish Times succeeded in confirming, without any assistance or prompting from Fianna Fáil, that he had indeed attended meetings of the far-right National Democratic Party (NPD) in Germany and Forza Nuova in Italy.|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/business-the-parties-fitzgerald-and-forum-all-played-key-roles-1.1100842|title=Business, the parties, FitzGerald and forum all played key roles|date=21 October 2002|page=4|first=Deaglán|last=de Bréadún}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://fc.retecivica.milano.it/rcmweb/ilmondoaduevoci/Il%20mondo%20a%20Due%20Voci/la%20Destra%20e%20l%27Europa/Documenti/Estremismi/La%20galassia%20dell%27estrema%20destra/Forza%20Nuova/S0265F142-03283616?WasRead=1|date=5 July 2001|language=it|quote=Friday July 20 conference on The powers and freedoms of peoples at the Hotel D'Azeglio in Via Nazionale in Rome. Speakers Mario Di Giovanni, Gianni Correggiari, Giacinto Auriti, Roberto Fiore. Confirmed the participation of Justin Barrett, Secretary of the Irish Youth Defence and main promoter of the victorious initiatives for NO the referendum on the Nice Treaty. Beginning at 15:00. Saturday, July 21 at 17:30 at the Hotel Miramare Civitanova Marche (MC) held 'a lecture entitled "Survey on globalism and the powers that be. Speakers: Mario Di Giovanni, Justin Barrett (Youth Defence) Gianni Correggiari|title=F.N.: Bollettino 04.07.2001|access-date=22 November 2016|archive-date=27 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161027131432/http://fc.retecivica.milano.it/rcmweb/ilmondoaduevoci/Il%20mondo%20a%20Due%20Voci/la%20Destra%20e%20l%27Europa/Documenti/Estremismi/La%20galassia%20dell%27estrema%20destra/Forza%20Nuova/S0265F142-03283616?WasRead=1|url-status=dead}}</ref>
{{Blockquote|text=As part of the dirty war waged by "liberals" against "nationals", the greatest exponent of the nationalist front Justin Barrett, he was attacked in a press campaign of the kind to which we were accustomed us in the past. FN and NPD are, in the mind of the accusers, friends whose Barrett should be ashamed<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.forzanuova.org/|language=it|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021016120937/http://www.forzanuova.org/|archive-date=16 October 2002|title=Forza Nuova homepage}}</ref>|author=Forza Nuova website in October 2002 }}
==Campaigns== ===Picketing of Politicians' houses===
In 1997 Youth Defence picketed the home of then Labour TD Róisín Shortall. This terrified her neighbours, especially the graphic placards. Although there were no arrests, the Gardai took protestors names. Róisín Shortall was chairwoman of the Eastern Health Board, and the protest was due to the then current ''C Case''.<ref name=ii-picket-shortalls-home>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/residents-terrified-by-youth-defence-protest-459061.html|title=Residents terrified by Youth Defence protest|newspaper=Irish Independent|date=5 December 1997|access-date=13 December 2012|page=13}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/youth-defence-plans-more-protests-1.133969|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=5 December 1997|access-date=2 August 2016|first=Carol|last=Coulter|title=Youth Defence plans more protests}}</ref>
In 1999 the group picketed the home of then Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.<ref name=ii-picket-aherns-home>{{cite news |url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/antiabortion-group-picket-aherns-home-397281.html |title=Anti-abortion group picket Ahern's home |newspaper=Irish Independent |last=Sheehan |first=Aideen |date=18 September 1999 |access-date=13 December 2012}}</ref> Archbishop Desmond Connell has kept his distance from the group, criticising its "American-style tactics".<ref name="Analysis2001"/>
In November 1996, up to 50 members of Youth Defence picketed the home of Minister for Health Michael Noonan in Limerick. Six arrests were made over the content of posters at a follow on protest in Limerick.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/anti-abortion-protesters-arrested-1.107128|title=Anti abortion protesters arrested|date=18 November 1996|newspaper=The Irish Times}}</ref> A picket in January 1997 passed off peacefully, among heavy Garda presence.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/paris-model-addresses-anti-abortion-rally-1.25891|newspaper=The Irish Times|quote=The Youth Defence organised rally also picketed the home of, Minister for Health, Mr Noonan. There was a strong Garda presence but the demonstration passed off peacefully|title=Paris model addresses anti abortion rally|access-date=29 July 2016|first=Catherine|last=Cleary}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|newspaper=Irish Independent|date=27 January 1997|title=Pro-life protesters faced with strong garda presence|first=Tony|last=Purcell|quote=There was a strong garda presence when anti-abortion campaigners picket the home of Minister for Health Micheal Noonan TD in Limberick on Saturday afternoon}}</ref> Fianna Fáil politician Máire Geoghegan-Quinn criticised the picketing of Minister Noonan's house.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/oireachtas/geoghegan-quinn-s-parting-shot-at-government-on-haemophiliacs-1.27073|title=Geoghegan Quinn's parting shot at Government on haemophiliacs|newspaper=The Irish Times|quote=However, to remarks of "hear, hear" from her colleagues, she criticised the picket of the Minister's home by members of Youth Defence|access-date=29 July 2016|date=30 January 1997}}</ref>
===1999 Irish Family Planning Association picket=== In March 1999 Youth Defence picketed a clinic of the Irish Family Planning Association on Cathal Brugha Street. The IFPA got a High Court order restraining Youth Defence from picketing its offices or intimidating its employees or customers. Youth Defence did not appear in court.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/court-orders-youth-defence-to-keep-away-from-family-planning-clinics-and-staff-1.161937|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=12 March 1999|title=Court orders Youth Defence to keep away from family planning clinics and staff|access-date=29 July 2016}}</ref> Two members, Aoife and Ciara Ni Aodhan, did not abide by the order and were fined £250 each.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=6 July 2000|title=Anti-abortion protesters fined £250 for causing obstruction at clinic|access-date=29 July 2016|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/anti-abortion-protesters-fined-250-for-causing-obstruction-at-clinic-1.289458}}</ref> Youth Defence members eventually won a Supreme Court challenge to the order in 2004.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/youth-defence-appeal-upheld-by-court-1.1132534|newspaper=The Irish Times|title=Youth Defence appeal upheld by court|date=5 February 2004|access-date=29 July 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/youth-defence-members-win-supreme-court-appeal-1.969515|title=Youth Defence members win Supreme Court appeal|date=4 February 2004|access-date=29 July 2016|newspaper=The Irish Times}}</ref>
===2012 anti-abortion campaign=== {{See also|Death of Savita Halappanavar|Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act 2013}} In June 2012 Youth Defence began their "Abortion tears her life apart" campaign. This campaign consisted of billboard signs, posters, and many members of the group handing out flyers. The campaign was across many cities in Ireland.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.youthdefence.ie/latest-news/new-campaign-will-reach-more-than-21-million-people-and-is-getting-a-huge-response/ |title=Youth Defence |publisher=Youthdefence.ie |date=2012-06-18 |access-date=2012-07-17 |archive-date=8 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130208015456/http://www.youthdefence.ie/latest-news/new-campaign-will-reach-more-than-21-million-people-and-is-getting-a-huge-response/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Pro-choice users of the website Broadsheet.ie encouraged supporters to call upon advertising companies to pull the adverts, saying that the text used misinformation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.broadsheet.ie/2012/06/20/have-got-a-minute/ |title=Have You Got A Minute? |publisher=Broadsheet.ie |date=2012-06-20 |access-date=2012-07-17}}</ref> Legal scholar and Labour Senator Ivana Bacik criticised Youth Defence's decision to show an 18-week-old aborted fetus on the billboard, "although 89 per cent of abortions take place before 13 weeks. The advertisements are grossly offensive."<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.thejournal.ie/senators-criticism-of-abortion-ads-an-odious-abuse-of-taxpayer-funded-privilege-503197-Jun2012/ |title=Senator's criticism of abortion ads an 'odious abuse of taxpayer-funded privilege' |date=28 June 2012 |newspaper=The Journal |location=Dublin }}</ref> ''TheJournal.ie'' later alleged that Youth Defence had breached copyright terms and conditions in using an image of a woman depicted on the posters, by failing to print a disclaimer that the billboard showed a posed model.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thejournal.ie/youth-defence-abortion-image-investigation-533369-Jul2012/ |title=Youth Defence under investigation over use of image in anti-abortion campaign |publisher=thejournal.ie |date=2012-07-27 |access-date=2013-02-26}}</ref>
On 6 December 2012, Youth Defence took part in a ''Vigil For Life'' organised by the Pro Life Campaign, outside Leinster House in Dublin that was attended by several thousand people, as well as Catholic bishops representing the Catholic Church in Ireland. They were protesting any change to Ireland's abortion law, after the death of Savita Halappanavar a few months earlier. They claimed the Irish government had made a "pro-life promise".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2012/1204/pro-life-campaign-vigil.html|title=Thousands attend "Vigil for life" at Leinster House|publisher=RTÉ News|date=6 December 2012|access-date=20 February 2017}}</ref>
They were also involved in the ''National Vigil For Life'' organised by the Pro Life Campaign, which took part in July 2013. Official figures put the crowd at 15,000 to 20,000 people, with the organisers claiming 50,000. Youth Defence co-founder Íde Nic Mathúna spoke at the event.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=8 June 2013|first=Dan|last=Keenan|quote=Official estimates put the crowd at between 15,000 and 20,000 although protest organisers claimed “a conservative figure of 50,000”|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/thousands-attend-dublin-abortion-rally-1.1422065|title=Thousands attend Dublin abortion rally }}</ref>
===2013 Billboard parked outside Rape Crisis Centre=== On 27 June 2013, during the public debate on the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act 2013, a Youth Defence billboard truck parked outside the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre with the anti-abortion slogan of ''"The abortion bill won't make women safer, it will just kill babies"''. A photo of the truck was posted to the Broadsheet.ie website. AdMobile, the billboard company, said that the driver was taking a photograph of the truck as required by contract and was unaware of the proximity of the Rape Crisis Centre. AdMobile also said they would no longer run ads for Youth Defence. Youth Defence said at the time that they did not instruct the company to photograph the billboard outside the Rape Crisis Centre,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thejournal.ie/admobile-company-drops-youth-defence-after-rape-crisis-incident-969637-Jun2013/|title=Billboard company discontinues Youth Defence campaign after Rape Crisis Centre incident|date=27 June 2013|publisher=TheJournal.ie}}</ref> and in July 2016 again denied that they had parked the vehicle, describing the accusation as an "old... vicious lie".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/YouthDefence/status/757626915977068544 |quote=In reply to "Remember when @YouthDefence parked their nasty billboard outside the rape crisis centre? #repealthe8th" the Youth Defence Twitter account replied "That's a lie. An old one and a vicious one." |publisher=Youth Defence |date=25 July 2016 |access-date=7 September 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160907091228/https://twitter.com/YouthDefence/status/757626915977068544 |archive-date= 7 September 2016 |title=Youth Defence on Twitter: "@lochgarman1798 That's a lie. An old one and a vicious one." }}</ref>
===Website hacking incident=== On 9 July 2013, Youth Defence's website was hacked and replaced with a message<ref>{{Cite web|title=Archive of Hacked Youth Defence Website|url=http://www.youthdefence.ie/index.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130711105941/http://www.youthdefence.ie/index.html|archive-date=2013-07-11|access-date=13 April 2021|website=WebCite}}</ref> detailing allegations relating to the group.<ref name=YDHacked>{{cite news|title=Youth Defence website hacked|url=http://www.thejournal.ie/youth-defence-website-hacked-984771-Jul2013/|access-date=9 July 2013|newspaper=TheJournal.ie|date=9 July 2013}}</ref><ref name=IrishTimes-YD-website-hacked/> At the same time, details from their subscriber list were also published, though they were later removed.<ref name=IrishTimes-YD-website-hacked/> No organization has claimed responsibility<ref name=SiliconRep>{{cite news|title=Youth Defence's website has been hacked|url=http://www.siliconrepublic.com/strategy/item/33381-youth-defences-website-has/|access-date=9 July 2013|newspaper=Silicon Republic|date=9 July 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Neylon|first=Michele|title=Youth Defence Site Hacked|url=http://technology.ie/youth-defence-site-hacked/|access-date=9 July 2013|newspaper=technology.ie|date=9 July 2013}}</ref> and a representative of Youth Defence has stated that complaints have been made to the Garda Síochána.<ref name=IrishTimes-YD-website-hacked>{{cite news|last=Ó Caollaí|first=Éanna|title=Website of anti-abortion group Youth Defence hacked|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/website-of-anti-abortion-group-youth-defence-hacked-1.1457717|access-date=9 July 2013|newspaper=Irish Times|date=9 July 2013}}</ref> As of 2021, Youth Defence was no longer maintaining its own website, but had a hosted section on that of the Life Institute.
===2016 March for Choice infiltration=== On 24 September 2016, Youth Defence activists were filmed and photographed attempting to infiltrate the Abortion Rights Campaign's ''"March for Choice"'' event.<ref>{{cite tweet|author=Janet O'Suillvan|author-link=Janet O'Sullivan|user=Sharrow_ie|number=779664743128829952|title=Just spotted an anti photo shoot with a repeal jumper #arcmarch16 @repealproject #repealthe8th|date=24 September 2016}}</ref> The false flag photograph and sign was later used by the Life Institute on Twitter.<ref>{{cite tweet|number=780785023100280832|user=lifeinstitute|date=27 September 2016|title=For #RepealKills series we went to the March 4 Abortion to show #RealityOfRepeal. Their OWN poster (right) confirmed how extreme they are.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://villagemagazine.ie/index.php/2016/10/villager-6/|quote=Fatima Gunning, an anti-abortion zealot, recently posed in a Repeal jumper with a banner designed to discredit her opponents, appealing implausibly for “abortion for terminally ill babies”.|title=Villager|date=12 October 2016|access-date=11 January 2017|archive-date=13 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113035410/http://villagemagazine.ie/index.php/2016/10/villager-6/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet|author=Dave Gorman|number=779726277032968192|user=daithigorman|title=So this woman in the repeal jumper is Fatima Gunning of Youth Defence/Life Institute. Absolutely despicable. #arcmarch16 #repealthe8th|date=24 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://aisghair.wordpress.com/2016/10/02/a-reply-to-senator-mullen-on-repealthe8th/|title=A reply to Senator Mullen on #repealthe8th|date=2 October 2016|quote= no mention of the Youth Defence gatecrashers with the ‘Abortion for terminally ill babies’ placard, wearing a Repeal jumper and attempting to usurp our message?}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet|number=807960484385325056|user=Jim_Sheridan|title=I'm confused.. Is this the same girl who supports "abortion for terminally ill babies"? Weird mixed message from LoveBoth supporters?|date=11 December 2016}}</ref>
===Citizens Assembly=== {{See also|Citizens' Assembly (Ireland)}} In 2016 the Irish government set up the Citizens' Assembly, a group of 99 citizens to discuss the Eighth Amendment, and then make recommendation to the government. This is similar to the 2012 Constitutional Convention.
Youth Defence were selected as one of the groups to present to the Citizens' Assembly.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.citizensassembly.ie/en/News/17-Advocacy-Groups-to-Address-Citizens-Assembly-on-the-Topic-of-Eighth-Amendment.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222195034/https://www.citizensassembly.ie/en/News/17-Advocacy-Groups-to-Address-Citizens-Assembly-on-the-Topic-of-Eighth-Amendment.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 February 2017|title=17 Advocacy Groups to Address Citizens' Assembly on the Topic of Eighth Amendment|date=21 February 2017|publisher=Citizens' Assembly}}</ref> They were represented by Rebecca Kiessling, an American anti-abortion campaigner. The majority of Kiessling’s presentation differed from the script she had submitted to the assembly in advance.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.newstalk.com/Citizens-Assembly-hears-from-advocacy-groups-|date=5 March 2017|newspaper=Newstalk|title=Citizens Assembly hears from advocacy groups}}</ref>
==Funding== The Irish Times reported in March 2013 that the Standards in Public Office Commission has been attempting to investigate Youth Defense's sources of funding, but that the organisation has thus far refused to cooperate.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2013/0302/1224330698219.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130411042123/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2013/0302/1224330698219.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 April 2013 |title=Anti-abortion groups ignored political watchdog queries |date=2 March 2013 |access-date=2013-03-03 |newspaper=The Irish Times |location=Dublin }}</ref> By law, any organisation involved in political lobbying must declare all donations over €100, can only accept donations of up to €2,500, and cannot accept donations from overseas unless the donor is an Irish citizen or from a corporation that has offices in Ireland.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/anti-abortion-groups-ignored-political-watchdog-queries-1.1316629|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=2 March 2013|title=Anti-abortion groups ignored political watchdog queries|first=Ronan|last=McGreevy|quote=Third parties can only accept donations of up to €2,500, and cannot accept donations from overseas unless the donor is an Irish citizen or from a corporation that has offices in Ireland|access-date=29 July 2016}}</ref>
==See also== * Pro Life Campaign * Iona Institute
==References== {{Reflist|2}}
*
{{Abortion in the Republic of Ireland}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Youth Defence}} Category:Fascism in Ireland Category:Conservatism in Ireland Category:Anti-abortion organisations in the Republic of Ireland Category:Catholicism and far-right politics Category:1992 establishments in Ireland Category:Organizations established in 1992 Category:Organisations based in Dublin (city) Category:Far-right politics in Ireland