| Cóir | |
| Size: | 160px |
| Type: | Civil society |
| Headquarters: | Dublin, Ireland |
| Focus: | Irish republicanism, Right-wing populism, Social conservatism, Euroscepticism |
| Leader Title: | Spokesperson |
| Leader Name: | Richard Greene |
Cóir (in Irish pronounced as /koːɾʲ/; Irish for "justice") was a social Catholic, conservative Eurosceptic lobby group established to campaign against the Treaty of Lisbon which was approved by referendum in Ireland on 2 October 2009.The group claimed to have had approximately 2,600 campaign volunteers for the 6 months prior to the referendum.[1]
According to spokesman Brian Hickey, members of Cóir had considered registering it as a political party. In 2009, Hickey said he believed there was room for a "patriotic, conservative and socially conscious party" to fill the "gap there in the Irish political spectrum".[2]
It claimed to be an independent group with members coming from different political backgrounds. It was generally more conservative than other Lisbon No vote campaigns, and included a number of individuals involved in social conservative issues.
Coir's ideology could be described as a blend of traditional Catholicism and Irish republicanism. It was however centre-left economically. In addition, it supported restrictions on immigration during times of economic decline.[3]
Former member of the Fianna Fáil party and former Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown Green Party Councillor, member of Muintir na hÉireann Richard Greene acted as spokesperson in the media.[4] Other figures who have represented Cóir include Niamh Uí Bhriain and Peter Murphy.[5]
Cóir advertised in the national and local media, notably in newspapers such as Alive!, Irish Family Press and also submitted letters on the subject to these publications.[6] Its spokespersons also had several opinion pieces in newspapers such as Irish Times, and appeared on local and national radio and TV.[7]
It has campaigned against the second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty.[8] Greene, Uí Bhrian and Murphy, addressed the Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the European of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Affairs in a heated debate.[9] [10] Greene accused the committee of treason for not upholding the vote on the treaty.[11]
In 2008, the leader of Fianna Fáil Micheál Martin alleged that the group was a "front organisation" of the anti-abortion group Youth Defence.[12] The organisation operates from the same building on Capel Street in Dublin as Youth Defence and the Pro-Life Alliance.[13] Some members of religious organisations also criticised the organisation's stance on the Lisbon Treaty.[14]