Cóir (pronounced [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]