Youth Defence
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (June 2012) |
| Formation | July 1992 |
|---|---|
| Type | Social Conservative and Pro Life lobby group |
| Headquarters | Dublin, Ireland |
Spokesperson | Niamh Uí Bhrian Íde Nic Mhatúna |
| Website | youthdefence.ie |
Youth Defence is an Irish pro-life organisation founded after the X case in 1992.
Foundation
The organisation was founded in 1992 by pro-life and anti-divorce campaigner Una Bean Nic Mhatúna and her husband Seamus Mhatúna.[1] Nic Mhathúna, originally from Cork, was the sister of Larry White, a member of the republican paramilitary group Saor Éire who was killed in a feud with the Official IRA in 1975.[2] According to the CRO, "Youth Defence" and "Friends of Youth Defence" are registered business names, which means the organisation does not need to file annual accounts.[3] It is affiliated with the group, Precious Life, which is registered with an address in Kanturk, County Cork.[4]
Protests
In 1997 Youth Defence picketed the home of Róisín Shortall.[5] Neighbours found the protest intimidating.[5]
Youth Defence picketed the home of then Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in 1999.[6]
2012 Anti-Abortion Campaign
In June 2012 Youth Defence began their "Abortion tears her life apart" campaign. This campaign consisted of billboard signs, posters, and many members of the group handing out flyers. The campaign was across many cities in Ireland.[7]
Pro-choice supporters called upon advertisement companies to pull down the ads, because of what they deemed to be misinformation.[8] Some went as far as to complain to the The Advertising Standards Authority for Ireland that the advertisements were against the accepted standards, but the organisation later clarified that the campaign was outside of their remit. It stated:
RE: Youth Defence Campaign
The primary objective of the ASAI Code of Standards for Advertising, Promotional and Direct Marketing is the regulation of commercial marketing communications in the interest of consumers.Marketing communications that do not have a commercial element and which whose principal purpose is to express the advertiser's position on a political, religious, industrial relations, social or aesthetic matter or on an issue of public interest or concern do not come within the remit of the Code.
We have received a number of complaints about the current Youth Defence campaign. However, as this advertising does not have a commercial element (e.g. a fundraising element) and is expressing the advertiser’s position on an issue of public interest, it is outside the remit of the Code.
We are therefore unable to investigate complaints about this campaign.
The posters were later found to have used agency photographs of models without consent and in breach of the terms and conditions of use of those photographs.
References
- ^ "Young Bloods: The Nic Mhatúna Sisters". The Phoenix (magazine). 27 July 2012.
{{cite news}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help) - ^ Index of Deaths from the Conflict in Ireland, CAIN. Retrieved 2010-02-02.
- ^ http://www.cro.ie/search/CompanyDetails.aspx?id=122023&type=B
- ^ http://www.cro.ie/search/CompanyDetails.aspx?id=438044&type=C
- ^ a b "Residents terrified by Youth Defence protest". Irish Independent. 5 December 1997. Retrieved 13 December 2012.
- ^ Sheehan, Aideen (18 September 1999). "Anti-abortion group picket Ahern's home". Irish Independent. Retrieved 13 December 2012.
- ^ "Youth Defence". Youthdefence.ie. 2012-06-18. Retrieved 2012-07-17.
- ^ "Have You Got A Minute?". Broadsheet.ie. 2012-06-20. Retrieved 2012-07-17.