There was a bit of a party yesterday in Dublin.

People turned out in their masses to protest at this seemingly never-ending lockdown.

There was a bit of a mill when the police decided to charge at the partygoers and this of course was the headline news of the day.

All the top knobs came on one by one to condemn the “rioters”, labelling them as anti-vaccine, anti-mask and anti-lockdown protestors, far right groups, and those intent on trouble and disorder. They originally included the far-left but for some reason withdrew that group. We had MyHole and Varadkar, the leaders of the various other parties and the chief of police all condemning the goings on in the city. Apparently without exception they were scum and were an insult to the “ordinary people of Ireland”.

Lets imagine a scenario:

As a lad, I have an idea for a business. I go off and borrow large sums to set up that business and to my delight the business is a success. I employ a few people and quickly become friends with the staff. We are one happy family providing a service to our customers. Times can be tough but it’s worth it working twelve to fourteen hours a day to keep the business going and maybe make some plans for expansion. I’m happy.

Then along comes a virus and the gubmint suddenly decides I and my business are “not essential”. I have to let my staff go and shut up shop. For the best part of a year I still have to buy food, pay bills and probably continue to pay off my business loans and rates. I have no income. I am alone. The business I worked so hard for looks less and less like it will survive. Depression sets in as the future looks ever gloomier.

I’m normally a quiet bloke. I keep my head down. I have nothing against vaccinations or even masks [apart from them being a constant reminder of restrictions]. I’m not a member of any political group. I am just an ordinary Joe Rasher who has reached breaking point.

Would you blame me for joining a protest?