Mothers’ Rebellion Ireland staged a sit-in protest in Dublin city today against the expansion of Dublin Airport. 

Mothers’ Rebellion Ireland gathered at the bottom of Grafton Street this afternoon, holding signs with messages such as, ‘I’m here for all our children’. 

Mothers’ Rebellion is a climate action group focused on reducing carbon emissions to prevent climate disasters for the next generations. 

It’s reported that if the expansion of Dublin Airport went ahead, it would increase greenhouse gas emissions by 750,000 tonnes. 

Mothers' Rebellion protests at Grafton Street against the expansion of Dublin Airport. Image: Leah Farrell/© RollingNews.ie

Speaking at the protest today, campaigner Louise O’Leary said people are “running out of time” to prevent a climate emergency. 

“That means reducing emissions as quickly as possible across every sector including aviation,” she said. 

“This Dublin Airport expansion is suggesting we do the opposite of that - I don't see how that's in any way supportive of children’s rights.” 

She previously told Newstalk Breakfast she has a young son and she wants him to have “a better world than we have today”. 

“The reality is at the moment, those things are completely in danger for our children because we're not taking the transformative action. 

“Mother's Rebellion gives a space basically for mothers, grandmothers, and anyone who cares about their kids’ future to channel some of those sorts of feelings of grief, and sadness about the harms that have been done.” 

Mothers against Dublin Airport

Ms O'Leary said the expansion of Dublin Airport will lead to more flights coming to and from Ireland, increasing greenhouse gas emissions. 

“It's indisputable that right now, in order to do that we have to be reducing emissions across every sector,” she said. 

“The fact that they're proposing to do something that goes in direct opposition to that direct opposition to the science, it’s really problematic. 

“The fact that it's coming from a semi-State body makes me feel particularly that [children’s] futures aren't considered.” 

In a statement previously issued to Newstalk, Dublin Airport said it hoped to invest €400 million over the next four years in 20 sustainability initiatives. 

The airport has also pledged to reduce its carbon emissions by 51% by 2030. 

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