Ireland, 19 novembre 04

Ingrid Betancourt, who was made honorary citizen of Souh Dublin County in 2002, was remembered on 19 November. At 4.30 p.m., Mayor Robert Dowds of South Dublin County presided at a outdoor ceremony in support of Ingrid Betancourt when a granite stone was unveiled at the base of a tree in the grounds of the County Hall, Tallaght, Dublin 24, Ireland. Members of the Council and the Ingrid Betancourt support committee in Dublin attended. The inscription on the stone is as follows:

In Support of Ingrid Betancourt,
Democracy and Liberty
Daonlathas agus Saoirse
La Democracie et la Liberté
La Democracia y la Libertad

In his speech Mayor Dowds paid tribute to the work and courage of Ingrid Betancourt. He said that democracy was taken for granted in many countries. However it was fragile and required constant care.

Ms Anne O'Connell, president of the Ingrid Betancourt support committee in Ireland, thanked the Mayor and all the councillors for their continued support of Ingrid. She spoke of the desperation of the families of the hostages in the face of the unwillingness of President Uribe to begin negotiations with FARC. She quoted the words of the Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ms Mairead Corrigan Maguire who remembered Ingrid and the hostages in Colombia. "In captivity Ingrid cannot be silenced because her passion for justice and peace for the Colombian people speaks to our hearts and echoes around the world."

Cllr Cáit Keane recalled the visit of Melanie Delloye - Betancourt to Dublin last year when she received, on her mother's behalf, the Freedom of the County. Melanie left a deep impression on all those who heard her speak about her mother's courage. Cllr Tony McDermott also spoke about the tremendous contribution that Ingrid had given to her country through her work with the Green Party in Colombia.

Aeropostale-3000.org campaign: The centrepiece of the Aeropostale campaign is a doll's house. Thanks to the hard work and artistic endeavour of Maebh, one of the Dublin committee, a small doll's house with a difference, is attracting attention from all who pass by in the Town Hall Concourse. The roof of the house is covered with the names of some of the 3000 hostages in Colombia. A collage of photos is seen on the walls of the house. The door of the house is left open, as there is no one at home.

On 20 Nov, members of the public were invited to sign letters of support in Tallaght Library. 32 letters were signed and the stand has now been moved into the Town Hall for the week when we expect that many more letters will be signed.

Galway