Ardal O’Hanlon pays tribute to social justice campaigner

Comedian Ardal O’Hanlon paid tribute to campaigner Fr Micheal Mac Greil’s “tireless commitment” to social justice at the launch of the Jesuit priest’s memoir in Dublin tonight.

Approximately 60 people attended at the Royal Irish Academy on Dawson Street, including Senator David Norris and Fianna Fail's Eamon O Cuiv, for the launch of The Ongoing Present, which is described on the cover by the 83-year-old as "a critical look at the society and world in which I grew up".

“He’s a man I’ve come to respect for his integrity, his just causes, and for doing something incredibly rare in Ireland: actually practicing what he preaches,” said Mr O’Hanlon at the launch. “If only all Mayo men in leadership positions would follow suit.”

Mr O’Hanlon described the book as “part memoir, part history, part utopian philosophy”.

“It strikes me that he has always applied his knowledge and his experiences in a practical way to help people and to promote social justice,” he said. “It is this tireless commitment to social justice that best sums up the man and the book.

“Within these pages he eloquently outlines his involvement in millions of campaigns, from travellers’ rights, to world peace, the Irish language, prison reform. I know him primarily for his pioneering work on tolerance and prejudice in Ireland.

“He’s very clear sighted in his analysis of domestic and world affairs, especially on the perils of liberal capitalism. While he is in no way despairing, he is also concerned about the consequences of materialism, individualism and the decline of religion on our society.”

Fr Mac Greil also spoke and outlined his vision for society. “Among the criteria I hold central is universal social justice - and that means universal - from the native Australians to the stock brokers in New York,” he said.

“Maximum income levels, whether they’re footballers, film stars, politicians, capitalists or not. Because I don’t think victim-ology works. By helping the underdog you don’t bring justice to society. You can only bring justice to society by curtailing the consumerist choices of the wealthy.”