Irish should not be ‘5G guinea pigs' if Belgians aren't, meeting is told

THE organiser of a public meeting held recently in Clonakilty on suggested health risks associated with 5G is calling on the Irish government to lead the way and ensure the Irish do not become ‘5G guinea pigs.’

Liam Fleming from Ballinascarthy said he was surprised at the turnout at the meeting he organised in O’Donovan’s Hotel, which was also attended by several councillors.

5G is the next generation of cellular technology which allows for faster speeds and downloads. 

Just last week Vodafone Ireland announced a limited roll-out of the 5G network in Irish cities, including Cork, with other additional locations planned for later this year.

Liam told The Southern Star he has real concerns about the dangers and health risks associated with the 5G network.

‘This is a health issue and I want the government to halt the introduction of 5G until such time that it is proven to be safe health-wise,’ said Liam.

‘There is no independent report to say that it is safe and I don’t think we should be sacrificing peoples’ health for the benefit of business,’ he added.

He said that the mood generally from those at the meeting, which included members of ‘Kinsale, Stop 5G’ was that they were against it and that the councillors who did attend – county mayor Cllr Christopher O’Sullivan along with Cllrs Alan Coleman and Paul Hayes – ‘were left in no doubt about what people think about it.’

He highlighted the current situation in Brussels where the introduction of 5G has been stalled in the city, over fears about its health effects. There is a similar situation in Rome, the meeting heard.

‘If the people of Brussels are not going to be 5G guinea pigs, then the people of Ireland should not allow themselves to be guinea pigs, either,’ said Liam. 

‘Politicians must stand up and be counted. It is a known fact that over 270 of the world’s leading scientists have written to the European Commission expressing their concerns about the dangers of 5G.’

Liam said he is trying to lobby councillors about the issue and to get them to raise a motion to stop it being introduced in the county until the health and safety aspect can be clarified. At a recent Cork County Council meeting, Cllr Kevin Murphy (FG) raised the issue of 5G and its health implications. 

Chief executive Tim Lucey said that they should get a briefing on the way new technology is going and that if there is a downside, then it needs to be managed. 

However, he also added that ‘5G is where it’s at.’

• A further 5G meeting has been organised for O’Donovans Hotel on Wednesday September 4th at 7pm. UCC’s Prof Tom Butler will address the meeting and speak about his own research into microwave technology.