By Áine McKeon
On Thursday September 19th , Dublin witnessed a sharp division as anti-immigration protests were met with vocal opposition from counter protesters, displaying deepening divisions over the country’s immigration policies.
Source: TheBurkeanIE on X
The protest resulted in considerable disturbance for the public and multiple arrests. Groups against Ireland’s immigration laws organised the march, which began in front of the General Post Office (GPO) on O’Connell Street.
Protesters expressed their disproval of the country’s immigration and asylum seekers laws. During the demonstration chants like “Get them out” and “Irish Lives Matter” could be heard.
Lorraine Vallessca, originally from the Philippines, who has lived in Ireland for nearly 16 years, described how she felt walking past the protest.
“I was on my way to work when I first saw the protest – as an immigrant myself who’s lived here basically my whole life, for the first time I felt scared”, she said
Irish flags and banners with anti- immigrant messages were held by the protesters and upon arriving at Leinster house, the marchers retreated to O’Connell bridge where they staged a sit-down protest that blocked important roadways. This led to significant delays in Dublin City Centre, stopping the Luas and other public transportation systems causing extensive disruption.
“Close the borders” and “foreigners” were just some chants screamed at passerby’s during the march.
“Hearing the chants and anger in their voices was uncomfortable when I finally got to work, I thought I’d feel relieved, but I was anxious my whole shift” explained Lorraine.
Source: Aine McKeon
The Gardaí dispatched public order units in reaction to the crowds’ unwillingness to disperse on top of the increasing tensions.
Nineteen people were taken into custody for defying Gardaí instructions and causing disruption to the public. Investigations into the event are still ongoing. No injuries were recorded.
A short distance away, at the bottom of Grafton Street, a small anti- racism organistaion staged a counter protest, chanting “refugees are welcome here”. Gardaí were stationed to prevent clashes between the two groups.
The protests have generated a lot of discord. Numerous civil rights and community organisations have organised counter demonstrations to promote diversity and inclusion. The Irish Refugee Council and MAS (Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland) have denounced the anti-immigration discourse whilst highlighting Ireland’s longstanding status as a haven for refugees.
This protest follows a rising trend of far-right and anti-immigration protests in Ireland in recent years.
One of the onlookers of the protests who asked to remain anonymous said, “it is upsetting to see this happening in our country – Dublin hasn’t felt like a safe place in a very long time, it’s just not the same.”
The individual who claimed to have lived in Dublin for over 20 years, emphasised that the protest’s driving force was dissatisfaction with the way the immigration system is being run, not hatred.
Anti- immigration protests have been more frequent over the past year, which is reflective of the growing dissatisfaction among a minority of people with how the government is managing immigration and asylum policies. The highly publicised demonstrations have sparked a national conversation on Irelands Immigration laws, ranging from nonviolent marches to more aggressive riots.
Source: TheBurkeanIE on X
Over the past year, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of refugees and asylum seekers in Dublin’s inner-city areas, such as Ballymun, East Wall and Finglas. Anti-immigration sentiments have been concentrated in certain places, where locals have expressed discontent about the increasing demand for healthcare and housing provided by the influx of people.
Tensions in Ballymun escalated due to demonstrations at a shelter for asylum seekers, citing rising homelessness and stretched public resources. Nonviolent protests included vandalism and police clashes.
On November 23rd, 2023, after a stabbing attack that left three children and one adult injured, rioting broke out in Dublin. Rumors of the attacker’s immigration status contributed to the incidents anti-immigration riot. A few hundred people gathered in the throng, who at first expressed protest but soon turned aggressive. Buses, Gardaí vehicles and businesses vandalised and set on fire by rioters, Dublin’s city Centre was also looted, resulting in extensive damage.
While Ireland adjusts to the reality of its shifting demographic despite the polarising nature of the protests. The government has previously discussed enhancing efforts and discuss concerns between immigrant communities and Irish citizens.
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