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Irish Examiner
4 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
All-island housing rally hears of Government's 'inability' to address homelessness
The Irish Government and Northern Ireland Executive have demonstrated an "inability to address homelessness", the organisers of a major housing protest in Dublin has said. Hundreds of people participated in a rally between the Garden of Remembrance and Leinster House on Saturday. Organised by the Community Action Tenants' Union (Catu), the protest was also supported by opposition political parties, unions and other civil society groups. People hold signs calling for change (Conor O Mearain/PA) Catu said the action was an all-island demonstration critical of Governments in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. It said it believes ministers in both jurisdictions have demonstrated their 'inability and lack of commitment to addressing homelessness and housing inequality'. In particular, it criticised recent announcements to 'gut the tenant-in-situ scheme' and changes to rent control in the Republic of Ireland despite a record number of families living in emergency accommodation. Groups made speeches during the protest in Dublin (Conor O Mearain/PA) In a statement, it said: 'Whether it's being evicted from your home with a few weeks' notice, or seeing your children emigrate due to lack of affordable housing, hardly anyone on this island has not been affected by the years of disastrous housing policy in Ireland. ' It is calling on both the Dáil and Stormont to immediately implement a number of measures to protect people across the island from homelessness, including the introduction and re-instatement of the eviction ban; a commitment to ensure no child is living in emergency accommodation by 2026; and a full and proper resourcing of the tenant-in-situ scheme. The union is also demanding an end to the direct provision system for asylum seekers, and urgent resourcing and provision of culturally appropriate Traveller accommodation.
Dublin Live
09-06-2025
- Dublin Live
Young girl injured in Parnell Square attack 'back in school'
The young girl who was seriously injured in a stabbing incident on Parnell Square is "back in school" and "getting stronger again" after an "unexpected stay back in hospital". The little girl, who was aged five at the time of the horror November attack in 2023 was critically injured and spent 281 days in Temple Street Children's Hospital before being released at the end of August last year. Two other children and a carer, who also sustained injuries, received treatment in hospital before being released. A fundraiser was set up for the young girl, called Barróg do Chailín Beag or a Hug For A Little Girl, with her family sharing updates on her health as people continue to donate to the fundraiser. So far, it has raised over €134,000.. In their most recent post on Friday, the family said: "Our angel warrior's resilience is impressive. "Even after an unexpected stay back in hospital, she smiled through lines being put in, bloods being drawn, oxygen mask, the works. "She is out again, back home, back in school, getting stronger again. (Image: Conor O Mearain / Collins Photo Agency) "Despite the circumstances, it was really nice seeing so many familiar faces. They were also delighted to see how far she has come, how strong she looks." So far the GoFundMe has raised €134,304, far surpassing the initial €500 target. To donate, go here. Riad Bouchaker (50) is currently before the courts charged with three counts of attempted murder, one of producing and possessing a kitchen knife, three counts of assault causing harm and one of assault causing serious harm. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
BreakingNews.ie
27-04-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Taoiseach criticises Dublin protesters and ‘narrow nationalism'
The Taoiseach has rejected the 'negativity' expressed by those who spoke at a major protest in Dublin over the weekend. Thousands of people participated in an anti-immigration protest in Dublin city centre on Saturday. Advertisement There was a heightened police presence in the Irish capital for the protest and counter demonstration which disrupted traffic on some of the main thoroughfares through the city. Public order units, mounted gardai and a helicopter were involved in policing the two rallies. Gardaí said no major incidents occurred but three people were arrested for public order offences. Made up of disparate groups, the main protest was generally organised against the sitting Irish Government and its policies on immigration and housing in particular. Advertisement People take part in an anti-immigration protest in Dublin City centre (Conor O Mearain/PA) The demonstration was also convened to mark the 1916 Easter Rising – 109 years after the armed rebellion against British rule in Ireland. On Sunday, the Taoiseach attended the annual commemoration of the Rising held by his Fianna Fáil party at Arbour Hill Cemetery. Asked by reporters about the protesters also invoking the the memory of the leaders of the 1916 Rising, Micheál Martin said: 'The message of the 1916 proclamation is an inclusive, internationalist vision, not one that is narrow. 'It never had at its core a narrow nationalism. It was very internationalist. It was inclusive, it was open. Advertisement 'And that's the spirit which Fianna Fáil will be continuing – and that's a very important point. 'We don't believe in a narrow nationalism, and we are part of modern European society, members of the European Union since the early 1970s and that's brought great transformation to the country. 'We have a thriving economy in Ireland, and I would be very cautious about those who are advocating – those yesterday and some who would advocate – policies that in my view would be detrimental to the future of the country and of our people.' Asked if the size of the thousands-strong rally was a concern for him, Mr Martin said: 'We just had a general election, we've had a local election before that. Advertisement 'And I think the ballot box is the key determinant of the organisation of society who gets elected into Government, who gets elected to local councils – and I think it has to be based on ideas and policies. 'We believe we have a stronger set of ideas than perhaps those who articulated yesterday.' Asked about the demonstration's charge that the Government was failing on housing, Mr Martin said he 'did not accept the negativity' of speakers in the protest yesterday. The Taoiseach said housing remains the 'big social issue' in Ireland right now but said Government was focused on 'solutions rather than rhetoric'. Advertisement 'In terms of the last five years, for example, the amounts of social housing spent has been way, way in excess of anything built in the previous two or three decades – but we need to build more.' Ireland Government warned not to ignore McGregor's 'far-ri... Read More He added: 'But I think this Government has come through and the previous Government came through some very serious challenges, from Covid-19 to the war in Ukraine to the inflationary crisis that was caused by that, through Brexit, and has positioned the Irish economic model well. 'I don't accept the negativity from those who spoke yesterday in respect of where modern Ireland is today. 'The level of opportunity in modern Ireland today, again, is far in excess of anything previous generations experienced.'
Irish Times
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Anti-immigration protest marking Easter Rising gathers in Dublin
Thousands of people have taken part in an anti-immigration rally in Dublin city centre on Saturday, alongside a smaller counter-demonstration. Both passed off without any major incidents with gardaí acting as a cordon between both groups on O'Connell Street . The anti-immigration protest, described by organisers as an Easter Rising commemoration to pay respect to 'those who fought and gave their lives to preserve the Irish nation and create the Irish Republic' began at 2pm at the Garden of Remembrance on Parnell Square. United Against Racism, supported by a number of organisations and members of Opposition parties including Sinn Féin , Labour , People Before Profit , the Social Democrats , the Socialist Party and the Green Party , hosted a counter-protest at the nearby GPO at 1.30pm. READ MORE A large number of gardaí were present throughout the afternoon, including the Garda Public Order Unit, Air Support Unit and Mounted Support Unit. The anti-immigration protest saw those gathered carrying Tricolour flags, wearing green 'Make Ireland Great Again' caps and shouting slogans including 'get them out' and 'Sinn Féin are traitors'. Some carried signs which stated 'Irish Lives Matter', with copies of the 1916 Proclamation handed out. There were some hostile and aggressive interactions between protestors as the anti-immigration rally passed by the anti-racism demonstration at the GPO. The United Against Racism demonstration saw those gathered carry signs reading 'Stand Against Racism' while chanting 'refugees are welcome' and 'whose streets - our streets'. The anti-immigration protest travelled down to Custom House Quay with speakers including Dublin City councillors Malachy Steenson, Gavin Pepper and Philip Sutcliffe and Fingal councillor Patrick Quinlan. Protesters on O'Connell Street in Dublin during the rally. Photograph: Conor O Mearain/PA Wire Anti-immigration activists including Hermann Kelly from the Irish Freedom Party and Philip Dwyer were also present. Cllr Steenson spoke of 'really exciting times' and how 'we have moved this project on hugely'. He said Independent councillors such as himself and cllrs Pepper and Sutcliffe, who won seats on Dublin City Council last year, were using them to 'push forward our message that this country should be run by its people for its people'. Cllr Steenson also said the biggest day of the year had been 'St Patrick's Day in the White House'. 'It doesn't matter who the messenger is - it's the message,' he said. 'That message was brought very clearly to Irish-Americans… We are now calling out to our friends and family in America and throughout the world - look at what is happening here. Sixteen million follow Tucker Carlson , 10 million follow Conor McGregor , that is a huge reach that we couldn't get without those two people.' Gardaí on duty near the GPO near the counter-demonstration which gathered to oppose racism. Photograph: Conor O Mearain/PA Wire Cllr Pepper said Irish people 'come first in our own country' and that it was 'time for mass deportation'. He said people were gathered because they were 'sick of the Government treating us like crap' and that 'people can't get by in this country' struggling with bills, rent and mortgage payments. 'We've had enough of it and the people in Leinster House are just not listening,' he said. 'We're bringing in thousands and thousands of people and putting them up in hotels while our own people are being left to rot. We have over 15,500 people in emergency accommodation, they come first.' [ Power struggles, resignations and Conor McGregor's toxicity: The fracturing of Ireland's far right Opens in new window ] He added that those present needed to ensure their children were registered to vote and that 'we don't need big posh people to come and represent the working class'. Cllr Pepper also claimed that politicians in Leinster House 'don't care about you' and to 'call them out on the street when you see them'. Cllr Sutcliffe said those gathered were 'getting put down day by day by the people put in to represent us'. 'The Government does not represent the people of Ireland… Let it be heard - up the Irish,' he said. Protesters in tricolour balaclavas join the march. Photograph: Conor O Mearain/PA Wire Former MMA fighter McGregor posted a video of himself and his family at the Garden of Remembrance ahead of the anti-immigration protest. In a post on X, McGregor said it was 'a big day here for our country' and that the rally was to commemorate 'the valiant heroes who went before us' . He said the protest was also to 'shine our light on the failure of Ireland's Government and our full disapproval of it'. Why is Ireland's far right movement so divided? Listen | 19:50
Irish Examiner
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Mick Clifford: Protest without a plan — the worrying void at the heart of Ireland's far-right surge
Anyone for the last few tricolours? The man on O'Connell Street is doing a brisk trade. An odd passer-by takes up the offer and joins the legions either waving or wrapped in the national colours, en route to the Garden of Remembrance. From there, at just after 2pm, a parade was formed and took off down towards O'Connell Street, with a fleet of Garda public order vans leading the way. This was what was billed as a far-right protest, although many among them take exception to the label. Various estimates of the size of the crowd have been made, but it took nearly an hour for the marchers to pass the GPO, where they were met with a counter-demonstration. On one level, the gathering had all the appearance of a family day out, with good-natured greetings, plenty of children, a bagpiper blowing out through the April sunshine, and stray currents carrying the sweet waft of cannabis. People take part in an anti-immigration protest in Dublin City centre. Picture: Conor O Mearain/PA Wire On another level, this large gathering was a purveyor of fear. Last Thursday, Tusla sent out a notice to foster parents of minors who have come through the international application process. The notice said that an anti-immigrant protest was taking place and that 'safety protocols should be agreed for those young people placed in Dublin' as well as a recommendation to instruct those 'placed outside Dublin that no free time to Dublin is permitted this weekend.' The notice was well placed. As the gathering moved off from Parnell Square, down towards O'Connell Street, one of the recurring chants was 'get them out.' They are asylum seekers and many of those marching want them out of accommodation, out of the country. They want this based largely on the disinformation that, according to one marcher who spoke to the Irish Examiner, 'the whole place is being flooded with them and the government is behind it.' Thousands of people participated in an anti-immigration protest in Dublin city centre on Saturday, after Conor McGregor posted on social media in support of the march. Picture: Conor O Mearain/PA Wire There were around 15,000 applications for protection in the last twelve months in a state of five million people. 'Get them out,' they chanted over and over. One of the most depressing sights among the marchers was two young girls, maybe nine or ten, swigging from soft drinks and chanting with glee: 'Get them out.' Malachy Steenson, elected to Dublin City Council, was prominent wearing a green Make Ireland Great Again hat. Conor McGregor recorded a post from the Garden of Remembrance but was not marching. Usually, such a gathering would have a preponderance of varying posters, but here the vast majority were brandishing the tricolour and little else. Read what you will into that, including an expression of general dissatisfaction with the state of the country but no coherent policy or direction, or even political philosophy, beyond blaming asylum seekers. There were signs from various locations, claiming to speak for places like Finglas and Coolock, but there is no indication that this was representative of majority sentiment in these enclaves. Counter protestors gather outside the GPO in Dublin ahead of planned nationalist protests at the Garden of Rememberance. Picture: Dylan O'Neill At around 2.15, outside the GPO, the Garda operation was in place. There were vans from the public order unit, barriers corralling in the counter-demonstration, a line of grim-faced Gardaí and four horsemen there to ensure there would be no apocalypse. The counter-demonstration, led by People Before Profit and including a number of civic and anti-racism groups, was completely outnumbered by the marchers. All that really goes to show is it's much easier to get people to gather in the name of anger than empathy these days. 'Blame the government, blame the markets, blame the landlords,' those corralled at the GPO chanted. A cordon of barriers penned in the counter-demonstrators. As the march passed, the volume reached for the blue skies with opposing chants trying to outdo each other. A professional Garda operation ensured that stray words or missiles would not get out of hand and spark off something dangerous. Just one bottle, filled with water, was thrust across the Garda line by a marcher. The most notable feature of the meeting of the two sides was the propensity for so many to have their hands raised with phones, filming as if this whole episode should be captured for posterity. Counter protestors gather outside the GPO in Dublin ahead of planned nationalist protests at the Garden of Rememberance. Picture: Dylan O'Neill One individual did decide to talk to the Irish Examiner, where others declined, including an angry tall bearded man who just offered a middle finger. 'You can put me down as Hughie from Sheriff Street,' the agreeable man said, mentioning that he took an hour off work just to show his support. 'The main problem is the housing. There are people out there who can't get a place to live. One young woman I know is in a tiny room with three small children. People have had enough of the politicians.' And what about the constant anti-asylum seeker drone? 'That comes into it, but if the other thing was sorted, you wouldn't have the same opposition to it,' he said. Among the sea of fluttering tricolours, there was a single banner on housing. It was around 3.10pm when the last of the marchers passed the hallowed site of the 1916 Rising and the Gardaí began to relax. By then, the waft of cannabis was being smothered by the smell of horseshit, indicating that the four mares had been as nervous as everybody else for the potential for things to turn ugly. Ironically, the two sides in this Saturday afternoon coming together have one thing in common: they both agree that the direction of the country is excluding large cohorts of the population. Their respective solutions differ greatly, and the far-right crowd don't appear to have any coherent direction beyond hate, but the event certainly highlights some disturbing undercurrents in society at a time when politics as usual appears to be the approach in Leinster House. Read More Thousands participate in Dublin anti-immigration protest and counter demo
