A sea of Make Ireland Great Again hats could be seen at a far-right rally in Dublin yesterday, where threats were made against their opponents and a former loyalist terrorist was welcomed.
Coming on the heels of a similar rally in Cork two weeks ago, it attracted roughly 2,500 protestors. Unhappy with Ireland’s immigration and housing policies, the gathering of extremists called for the forced “remigration” of all asylum seekers and migrants.
Counter-demonstration
A smaller counter-protest assembled on O’Connell bridge, opposite the anti-immigration rally. Both groups engaged in shouting at each other but a large Garda presence ensured that neither side got close to the other.
As with the Cork rally, the various branches of the Irish far right were present, with members of Ireland First, the National Party, and smaller local groups from around the country all being represented.
Former terrorist
Of particular note was the presence of Mark Sinclair, who was live-streaming the event. Sinclair is a former member of the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), a loyalist terrorist group, and was sentenced to 17 years in prison for a series of bank robberies.
He was welcomed by anti-immigration group Limerick Says No last week for a similar anti-immigration rally.
During the rally the crowd chanted “Get them out” in reference to Ireland’s migrants and shouts of “Ireland for the Irish” were also heard.
Dublin City Councillor Malachy Steenson was also interviewed during the stream. He claimed that he and other extremists have “took [sic] back the Tricolour from the state”. When the interviewer referred to the increasing number of rallies over the last few years Steenson admitted that “we have very clear strategy and we’re delivering on that strategy”.
Extremist rhetoric
The platform speeches featured more extremist rhetoric. Councillor Patrick Quinlan of the National Party accused the government of being traitors akin to the former British colonial overlords of the country.
Unsurprisingly the Irish far-right’s links to loyalist groups in Northern Ireland and Tommy Robinson in England were not mentioned.
Fellow Councillor Gavin Pepper continued along similar lines, shouting that “Immigration has our country destroyed” and that “It’s about accepting the fact that Ireland is full”.
Held accountable
He went on to name three individuals who have made investments in property related to Ireland’s asylum system and a well-known journalist who has recently reported on the Irish far right.
Pepper screamed that they and their families“will be held accountable”.
Eric English of Waterford Says No called on the crowd to get active in their communities. He told them to identify the “traitors” — neighbours, politicians, civil servants, and NGOs who do not adhere to anti-immigration views — and “shun them in your communities”.
Increasing incitement
Last year English ran in the Local Elections in the Waterford City South constituency where he picked up 89 votes.
This latest gathering of Ireland’s assorted extremists is nothing new. But the increasing levels of incitement aimed at migrants and their defenders make these rallies ever more dangerous. With more rallies on the way elsewhere in the country, extremists clearly feel emboldened and free to provoke.
Whether or not new legislation or the enforcement of old legislation will help deal with this is now a moot point.
The Irish far right is well and truly let loose.
