Controversial Scientology leader hails Irish branch in New Year's message to followers

David Miscavige, in an address to the faithful, praised the work carried out in the cult's Irish mission

Irish Mirror/January 14, 2014

By Brynmor Pattison

The leader of the controversial cult of Scientology has praised its Irish mission in a New Year's address to the faithful.

In a presentation that highlighted the best of 2013 in the church of Scientology at a complex in Clearwater, Florida on New Year's Eve, David Miscavige pointed to Ireland as an example of the excellent work that the organisation was carrying out.

Seven minutes into the video above, he describes Ireland as a home "to one of the finest literary traditions of the western world" and a "land of both enduring beauty and beautiful sadness".

In an address that lasted a total of over two hours, he says that the people here would tell you that "Ireland is not immune to the decaying values of this 21st century".

After running through the services provided by Scientology's Dublin home on Abbey St, including 'Personal Efficiency' and 'Life Improvement', Miscavige goes on to describe the work being done by the following in Ireland.

He says: "Where this mission of Dublin begins to assume a distinctly Irish profile is with a grassroots campaign to meet the LRH (L. Ron Hubbard, Scientology founder) target by capturing one percent of the reading public with LRH based books."

We are shown shots of Dublin Scientology's 'book van' rolling out onto Talbot St, Moore St and more, while leaflets and pamphlets are shown being handed out at numerous landmark shops and streets throughout the capital.

The organisation claims that over 110,000 leaflets have been distributed so far, with 270,000 people reached through radio and other media.

It then claims that the mission of Dublin "accomplished an 85% drop in drug-related crime" and cites an unnamed county councillor who states: "You set a shining example. You have effective solutions and are dedicated to improve the lives of others."

See the video above, about seven minutes in.

Internet activist group Anonymous Ireland has planned a protest outside the office of the Irish mission of Scientology on Abbey St in Dublin this month.

It will take place from 11am to 5pm on January 25.

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