Neighbours From Hell

Every Sunday for the past 3 months I have been filming the congregation of the Sacred Heart Church in Limerick as they pray the Rosary outside their locked church while Mass is being said inside.

I was invited to do so by one of the congregants in the hope that my camera and tripod would deter any sectarian bigots from disrupting their prayers.

For the most part I am stationed directly across the road from the church perched on the steps of a Georgian building; I’m not filming constantly, but I do film the various interactions that happen between those saying the Rosary and those seeking to disrupt it.

I have filmed the Gardaí on numerous occasions as they try and fail to call a halt to the praying.

On Palm Sunday, the 28th March 2021 the Gardaí showed up again as a complaint about the Rosary had been made by Councillor Elisa O’Donovan; she later posted about it on her various social media accounts saying that “They film and intimidate local people while gathering illegally” and that she had “been filmed multiple times and intimidated”. She claimed that she was acting on behalf of residents that had complained to her about those gathering to pray.

Her associates in Limerick Against Fascism also chimed in, identifying me as the supposed intimidatory cameraman in a Facebook post that labels me as far-right and seeks to incite hatred and violence, not just towards me, but towards my children as well….An absolutely vile and untrue post that was liked by Councillor O’Donovan.

In her final comment on the matter Councillor O’Donovan tweeted that the local residents who contact her about the Rosary are all women. And that she will always support any women who tells her they feel frightened or intimidated.

The Limerick Leader picked up on the story and quoted her tweets in full as if they were fact.

My camera never lies and I have no desire to embarrass and humiliate anyone, but events have overtaken me and I have little choice but to respond.

I think it’s time to let everyone meet those so called frightened and intimidated women.....