Following on from my post last week, it appears that another Libertas candidate has used the Coat of Arms of Ireland or something similar to the Coat of Arms of Ireland on their litir um tochán.
Ray O’Malley is the Libertas Candidate for Ireland East, and a reader sent me a copy of his litir um tochán. Despite ascertations to the contary earlier this week, where it would seem to have suggested that it was only Caroline Simons who used the Coat of Arms of Ireland.
Coat of Arms of Dublin City
Perhaps Mr. O’Malley was looking to represent the province of Leinster in his literature, as Ms. Simons “wanted to use the harp as a symbol of Dublin“.
I may add, just by way of clarification that the Coat of Arms of Dublin City, as the symbol of Dublin, is not the harp, but rather a blue shield, but not the St. Patricks Blue, with three flamed castles.
Again as a point of clarification, It is often supposed that the Castles are on fire, but in fact the flames symbolise zeal; they represent the zeal of the citizens in defence of Dublin.
Finally, the Coat of Arms of Dublin is completed with the city’s motto in latin which reads: “Obedientia Civium Urbis Felicitas” which can be translated as “Happy the city where citizens obey”. Erm maybe not then.
Ray O'Malley using the Coat of Arms of Ireland
Patrick
May 22, 2009
As previously stated, it is my hypothesis that Libertas are or intended to use national/nationalistic symbols on their posters in each of the countries in which they intended to or are running a European Parliament candidate. If this is the case then it would be to appeal to national sentiment and imply association with that country.
It is clear that Libertas intentially used the Coat of Arms of Ireland on their posters and it was not in anyway to symbolise association with Dublin. If it were the case that a Libertas candidate was using the Gold Harp on a Blue background to identify with Dublin then this would demonstrate clear ignorance of the symbols that have always been associated with Dublin. This is, as I have stated, not the case.
Libertas have knowingly used a symbol of the State on their posters for electoral gain by inclusion in posters of candidates. Any symbol included on an election poster is placed their for a reason and all images are designed to convey a message.