A petition has been launched by Michelle Ryan on change.org which flatly rejects the case being taken by Gemma O’Doherty and John Waters in relation to restrictions imposed in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic in Ireland.

Already the petition has been signed by almost 51,000 people, with an immediate target to reach 75,000. Among the well-known supporters of the petition is the great Irish singer Christy More who has ling been known for his support for radical, anti-establishment causes. Clearly, however, the legal action being taken by Gemma O’Doherty and John Waters is anathema to the man from Newbridge in Co. Kildare.

The full text of the petition reads:

"We as Irish citizens (AKA ‘the people of Ireland’) want the Irish Court services and frontline workers to know that Gemma O’Doherty and/or John Waters do not speak for us.

"We want Irish Court Services to be made aware that in bringing their legal action/case against the Irish Government and in particular rules regarding the ‘lockdown’ regulations during the Covid19 pandemic of 2020 on ‘behalf of the people of Ireland’ or ‘for the people of Ireland’ they are in no way speaking for or on behalf of us as Irish Citizens.

"We do not authorise Gemma O’Doherty nor John Waters represent us. In the event that they use any of the terms; Irish people, Irish citizens or people of Ireland or anything that encompasses all Irish people at any point in their proceedings we demand that it be made clear that we as individuals are not included in that collective term. We can speak for ourselves. We understand we live in a democracy which includes free speech and citizens can freely bring legal action of their own free will, however we do not agree to be named in any such action brought by either Gemma O’Doherty and/nor John Waters.

"Furthermore we wish to advise the frontline workers; in hospitals, Gardai, etc. that we do not agree with what Gemma O’Doherty has been saying, we are extremely disappointed and dissatisfied with her words and attitude and we do not feel that we are ‘your masters’. We live in a democracy.

Sign the petition here.