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Wicklow Sinn Féin TD John Brady has expressed his full support for the Apartheid Free Zone initiative in Wicklow, describing it as a vital act of community solidarity. He stated, “When people place their trust in government to uphold human rights and international law, they rightly expect action, not just words. However, the Irish Government has failed to hold the apartheid Israeli state to account for its ongoing genocide in Palestine, including its failure
Local Business Support: McDaniels Bar, Wicklow Town
Denis Dwyer, organiser of the Black Castle vigil for Gaza, said,
Pic: rescue.org
atest press release from Cllr Mark Barry, issued on Tuesday, 
January 13th 2026…
atest press release from Cllr Mark Barry, issued on Tuesday, 
January 13th 2026…Wicklow has officially launched its Apartheid Free Zone initiative, following in the footsteps of Cork and, more recently, Kildare.
The initiative aims to encourage local businesses, organisations, and community members to explore ethical alternatives and solidarity actions in support of Palestinian human rights.
The Wicklow Apartheid Free Zone was formed following a meeting held in December last year. Local organiser Niamh Egan is now calling on Wicklow businesses who wish to get involved to get in touch for information, discussion, and consultation on what becoming an apartheid-free business means in practice.
The initiative offers businesses the opportunity to engage in a supportive, educational process, providing guidance on ethical sourcing, awareness-raising, and solidarity actions. Organisers stress that the focus is on conversation and community engagement, and that businesses are supported at every stage to ensure the process is constructive and manageable.
The launch event was attended by John Brady TD, Greystones Councillor Mark Barry, and local activist Anthony Hill, who spoke on the importance of collective, community-based action.
Wicklow Sinn Féin TD John Brady has expressed his full support for the Apartheid Free Zone initiative in Wicklow, describing it as a vital act of community solidarity. He stated, “When people place their trust in government to uphold human rights and international law, they rightly expect action, not just words. However, the Irish Government has failed to hold the apartheid Israeli state to account for its ongoing genocide in Palestine, including its failure 
to progress the Occupied Territories Bill and the Illegal Israeli Settlement Divestment Bill. In this context, the Apartheid Free Zone initiative gives ordinary people a meaningful way to show solidarity with the Palestinian people, stand against genocide and apartheid, and demonstrate that communities will lead where governments fail.”
to progress the Occupied Territories Bill and the Illegal Israeli Settlement Divestment Bill. In this context, the Apartheid Free Zone initiative gives ordinary people a meaningful way to show solidarity with the Palestinian people, stand against genocide and apartheid, and demonstrate that communities will lead where governments fail.”Anthony Hill said: “We can often feel hopeless when we hear of the daily struggles of the Palestinian people, but this initiative gives us a way to come together and do something productive, and sends a message that Wicklow supports the Palestinian people. As Irish people, we know all too well what it is to be oppressed by an occupier. We can speak up for what is morally right and just, and what is happening in Palestine now is neither.”
Graffiti by Hussein Abu Sadeq. Pic: Abu Mustafa
Niamh Egan added: “For over two years, I’ve watched a genocide unfold, where men, women, and children are being bombed every single day. I couldn’t stand by any longer, so when I heard about the Apartheid Free Zone initiative, I knew it would be a good way to make a difference. In 10 or 20 years, when people ask where I was during the genocide of the Palestinian people, I want to be able to say I did everything I could.”
Local Business Support: McDaniels Bar, Wicklow Town
Local business McDaniels Bar in Wicklow Town was highlighted as an example of how businesses can engage with the Apartheid Free Zone initiative in a positive and practical way. McDaniels has previously shown solidarity by hosting awareness events and supporting community discussions, demonstrating how local businesses can contribute to informed, respectful dialogue while remaining rooted in their local community.
Organisers noted that examples like McDaniels show that participation can take many forms, and that businesses of all sizes are encouraged to reach out to explore what involvement could look like for them. The initiative has received strong backing from local solidarity groups.
The North Wicklow IPSC welcomed the launch of the Wicklow Apartheid Free Zone initiative, stating, “This initiative is a constructive, community-led response grounded in human rights and international law. It creates space for education, ethical reflection, and voluntary action, allowing people and businesses to engage thoughtfully and responsibly in solidarity with the Palestinian people. We believe meaningful change happens through informed, collective action at a local level, and this initiative supports that process in a practical and inclusive way.”
Jen Robinson of North Wicklow Against Genocide (NWAG) welcomed the launch of the Apartheid Free Zone Initiative for Wicklow. She stated, “This would support the Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement, which is the bare minimum we can do in the pursuit of freedom and justice for the Palestinians.
“In April 2024, NWAG successfully lobbied Wicklow County Council to actively support the BDS movement, which targets businesses profiteering from the oppression of the Palestinian people. Collective action is the way forward. This is a first step, and we should keep fighting to end all complicity with apartheid Israel at all levels – government, trade, workplaces, sports, and cultural institutions.”
Saintraint at Burnaby Park vigil SUN26OCT25
“It is uplifting to see so much support in Wicklow for the Palestinian people. With luck, initiatives like this can make a positive impact.”
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On February 10th 2026, the launch occurred in Wicklow Town, as Cllr Mark Barry explains…
Wicklow officially launched its Apartheid Free Zone initiative last night, following in the footsteps of Cork and Kildare. The initiative aims to encourage local businesses, organisations, and community members to explore ethical alternatives and solidarity actions in support of Palestinian human rights.
The Wicklow Apartheid Free Zone was formed following a meeting held in December last year. Local organisers Niamh Egan, Cllr Mark Barry and Anthony Hill are calling on Wicklow businesses who wish to get involved to get in touch for information, discussion, and consultation on what becoming an apartheid-free business means in practice.
The launch event was attended by Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid, Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland and Dr Mohammed Abu Mughaisib (Doctors Without Borders) spoke about the reality on the ground in Gaza and the West Bank, and the importance of continued solidarity from Ireland. Senator Frances Black, and Bronadh Ni Bhrian (IPSC) spoke on the importance of collective, community action and the actual efforts happening in Ireland to sustain this solidarity. In attendance at the event were Wicklow TD John Brady who also chaired the event, Greystones Cllr Mark Barry and local activist Anthony Hill.
Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid, Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland, said:
“When I see the people of Wicklow come together against Israel, it gives me strength in my mission as the representative of the state of Palestine.
The support of the people of Ireland, all of them wherever I go, gives me strength. The Irish people will not stand for injustice.”
Senator Frances Black, who was instrumental in writing the Occupied Territories Bill in 2018, and continues to work tirelessly to get the OTB enacted with Goods and Services said:
“We must never give up on fighting for the freedom of the palestinian people, because until we have freedom for the Palestinian people None of us have freedom”
Dr Mohammed Abu Mughaisib spoke of what he witness during the more than 700 days he worked as a doctor in Gaza, and his experience being evacuated:
“I wasn’t allowed to take anything when I left. My phone, my charger, my passport and the clothes on my back, was all I could bring. My cat, my albums… everything, I left it all behind. I couldn’t even bring sand from my country with me. It was never about Hamas. It was always about ethnic cleansing. History will remember what has happened in Gaza. We will have a term for this, like they do for the 40s. We will have a term that unites all of the horrors that have happened in Gaza.”
In relation to the ongoing support by Irish activists locally and across the country, he noted:
“The people in Gaza, they see. Sometimes, they get wifi, and they see the support. They are not stupid, they know who has stood with Palestine. History will remember who stood with Palestine.”
Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow, John Brady said:
“It was heartening to see the very strong turnout at last night’s meeting, which shows the growing commitment of people and communities in Wicklow to stand for Palestinian freedom, equality and justice. This grassroots movement of solidarity and boycott is spreading across Ireland and beyond, as people commit themselves and their communities to standing up for the Palestinian people.”
Wicklow AFZ organiser, Niamh Egan, added:
“I d like to acknowledge the level of support we have received from Wicklow businesses and to everyone that has attended here tonight, i am extremely grateful to the ambassador, Senator Frances Black, Dr Mohammed Abu Mughaisi,and Bronadh Ni Bhriain whom all have spoken here tonight at our launch event, and Wicklow TD John Brady for his support to date and chairing tonight’s meeting
A Wicklow Palestine committee is now being formed to support the ongoing work of implementing Apartheid Free Zones across the county, bringing together groups including Greystones for Palestine and the IPSC.
The group is calling on businesses, community groups and local councils to support the initiative, and to keep advocating for the Occupied Territories Bill, which would prohibit the importation of goods from illegal settlements in Palestine.
Businesses, organisations, and individuals interested in learning more, arranging a consultation, or getting involved are encouraged to make contact and start a conversation.
For more information, updates, or details about upcoming meetings, follow @wicklowafz4palestine on Instagram. To join with your business or local community group up, sign up at https://apartheidfree.ie/