On Thursday, September 19, an anti-immigration rally took place in Dublin, leading to 19 people being arrested as part of the policing operation. A counter-protest was organised at the same time, with several community groups coming together to oppose the far-right.

According to reports, yesterday at 2pm, people gathered outside the GPO on O’Connell Street to take part in the anti-immigration rally, before marching through Dublin city centre towards the Dáil. Participants carried Irish flags and banners with messages like “Erin Go Bragh” and “You’ll Never Beat the Irish”.

The group marched while chanting, “Whose streets? Our streets?” and “Get them out”. They arrived halfway down Molesworth Street facing the Dáil, but Garda barriers prevented them from getting closer to Leinster House.

At the junction of Dawson Street and Molesworth Street, the anti-immigration group was faced with a counter-protest organised by United Against Racism. A diverse cohort of roughly 200 people took part in the counter-protest, with students, community groups, LGBTQ+ and pro-Palestinian activists coming together against the anti-immigration mob.

Counter-protesters responded with chants like “Refugees welcome, racists not”, “Trans rights migrant rights, same struggle, same fight”, and “When migrant rights are under attack, stand up, fight back.” They carried Starry Plough flags and Palestinian flags, as well as the Irish Tricolour to reclaim it from the far-right.

Anti immigration protest Vs counter protest at bottom of Grafton St Dublin pic.twitter.com/eM3gkq7R5W

— Conor Lally (@conormlally) September 19, 2024

Some speakers addressed the counter-protest crowd, including organiser of Dundalk Communities United, James Renaghan, who gave a speech about who the “real enemy” is, namely landlords as opposed to migrants. Renaghan emphasised the importance of showing up at counter-protests to ensure that far-right groups don’t feel welcome in Dublin.

Others who spoke to the crowd included Councillor Darragh Adelaide, Jenny Maguire from Trans & Intersex Pride Dublin and a member of Rosa Socialist Feminist Movement, who gave a harrowing account of an attack they had witnessed only a day prior in the city centre.

 

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Un post condiviso da United Against Racism (@unitedagainstracismireland)

The two groups of protestors were kept separated by dozens of Gardaí to prevent violence, though some counter-protesters were physically threatened by the anti-immigration group, with several pointing and gesturing at individuals.

The crowd later dispersed, with participants in the anti-immigration rally marching through Dublin again towards O’Connell Bridge, where they staged a sit-down protest, causing road closures and “major delays” with public transport.

Gardaí ordered the crowd to disperse from O’Connell Bridge, before moving in to forcibly remove protesters. According to a statement released by An Garda Síochána, officers were required to respond to a number of public order incidents throughout the duration of the anti-immigration rally in Dublin.

The anti-immigration protestors have now been moved from O’Connell Bridge @irishtimes pic.twitter.com/PmtaYu9Xt8

— Fiachra Gallagher (@fiachragllagher) September 19, 2024

A Garda spokesperson said, “Gardaí engaged with protestors and directions were given to those that had gathered at O’Connell Bridge to disperse from the area within the hour…This direction was not adhered to and two Garda Public Order Units were subsequently deployed.”

A total of 19 arrests were made, with Gardaí saying they are not aware of any injuries at this time.