A FATHER and son from Glasgow who made headlines around the world because of their peaceful protest against the G8 in Fermanagh say the are proud of their Donegal roots.
Andrew and Darren Carnegie – and their pet dog Grace – spent five days at a peace camp in Enniskillen before marching to the security fence surrounding world leaders at the Lough Erne Resort.
Picture of the duo, from Black Hill in Glasgow, have been seen around the globe.
The protest was the most peaceful in the history of G8 meetings, with not a single arrest.
“My grandad was a McDevitt from Donegal and we’re very proud of our links to the county,” said Andrew, an artist.
“There is a huge connection between Black Hill and Donegal; there are so many families with links.
“Now that we’ve made it as far as Fermanagh, the next time we’ll be back and going to Donegal.”
Son Darren said the huge links between Glasgow and Donegal were misunderstood by many people.
“When Aiden McGeady chose to play for Ireland we understood it because we do see ourselves as Irish, but a lot of people didn’t get it,” he said.
“We’ll definitely be back and next time it will be to Donegal to maybe trace some relatives.”
Andrew says he’d love to bring some of his soccer teams over for some games in Donegal.
“But I don’t think we could manage the gaelic football,” he said.
The father and son, who protested against the G8 at Gleneagles in Scotland seven years ago, are heading back home to Glasgow this morning.
They have won praise from the local police.
Added Andrew: “I came to Ireland because I thought it was important to tell the world’s leaders that they are doing nothing to help the poor people on this planet.
“Last week I found two people going through the rubbish of my bins looking for food. That’s in Glasgow in 2013. And one person dies from starvation in this world every ten seconds. Nothing has been done here to stop that. That’s the disgrace of it all – not our being here.”
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