Latest news with #SinneNaDaoine
Irish Times
03-07-2025
- Irish Times
Afghan refugee attacked in Limerick after being wrongly accused by far-right group of approaches to children
An asylum seeker has been hospitalised after he was attacked in Limerick . The incident happened a day after the man was approached by suspected members of a far-right group who recorded him as they falsely accused him of inappropriate approaches to young children. The videos were shared on social media and gardaí believe the man was singled out for attack the next day by someone in Limerick who recognised him from the footage. The victim is an international protection applicant in his 40s from Afghanistan . Gardaí described as 'misinformation and disinformation' the videos of the man recorded in the People's Park, Limerick City, as people surrounded him on Monday and accused him of inappropriate approaches to young children. READ MORE A Limerick-based group working with migrants said the Afghan man had been subjected to a 'targeted act of harassment and violence'. The Irish Times has learned one of the men who shared the footage of Monday's incident online has served a prison sentence for killing his father. Gerard McNamara is also an active member of Sinne Na Daoine, a far-right group that claims to conduct 'patrols' to 'protect' the community in Limerick and other parts of the country. It is very active on social media though it has a minimal following. It is suspected some of the people who approached the Afghan man in the People's Park on Monday, accusing him while recording, were also members of Sinne Na Daoine. However, the attack on the same man the next day was being treated by gardaí as a separate incident, even though it appears to have been prompted by the footage from Monday. McNamara (37) was convicted of the manslaughter of his father Joseph 'Joey' O'Donnell at Hyde Road, Prospect, Limerick City, in October 2010. The fatal attack occurred after they had spent the day drinking. McNamara was in 2012 jailed for eight years with the final two suspended. The videos of Monday's incident are described as 'Muslim man trying to take children in public park' and the group's approach to the man, and the accusations they level at him, are described as a 'citizens arrest'. The man tries to explain, using limited English, he is from Afghanistan and there was 'no chance' he would 'take a baby'. However, he is accused several times of inappropriate approaches to children as he is filmed seated on the bench. Doras, a migrant and refugee rights organisation based in Limerick, said it was 'appalled by the recent assault in Limerick of a man from a migrant background, following unfounded and fabricated allegations against him'. 'This was a targeted act of harassment and violence' that had led to 'outrage among the vast majority of people in Limerick who reject racism and vigilantism'. In reply to queries, the Garda confirmed 'a number of members of the public expressed their concern' on Monday to gardaí about 'the alleged behaviour of a man who had earlier been seated in the People's Park'. However, enquiries concluded the man's conduct 'was not of a criminal nature and was nothing untoward', adding the man had 'fully co-operated with gardaí'. The Garda also confirmed that, separately, it was investigating an assault on the same man in the Parnell Street area of Limerick City at about 3:45pm on Tuesday. The victim was taken to Limerick University Hospital for treatment and his injuries were not life-threatening. The Garda stressed it was 'the sole agency' with the responsibility and power 'to investigate crime and enforce enacted legislation'. Anyone who had concerns a crime had occurred should report it to the Garda for investigation.
Irish Examiner
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Gardaí raise concerns over far-right anti-immigrant patrol groups ahead of nationalist events
Gardaí have described self-styled anti-immigrant "patrol" groups as "a cause of concern" ahead of a series of planned nationalist events this weekend. A number of groups have begun "patrols" in towns across Ireland in the last 18 months, largely linked to far-right anti-immigrant movements. Gardaí have warned only they have a statutory role in public order. Far-right nationalist groups have organised a day of action this weekend, with former MMA fighter Conor McGregor offering on social media to host a trad session in his Dublin pub afterwards. A key figure in of one the groups — Sinne Na Daoine's Anthony Casey — was one of a number of far-right activists pictured at Mr McGregor's venue last week alongside American broadcaster Tucker Carlson, who had interviewed the former fighter. McGregor was last year was found civilly liable in a High Court damages case in Dublin taken by a woman who accused him of rape. Sinne Na Daoine has in recent months carried out "patrols" in Limerick City and Clonmel, and is continuing to organise on social media. At the formation of the group, Mr Casey said "deterrence" was needed in Irish towns. He recently became president of the Ireland First group, former political home of anti-immigration activist Derek Blighe. Mr Casey had been a candidate in last year's local elections for the Irish Freedom Party, whose leader Hermann Kelly has described Sinne Na Daoine as a "vigilante group". However, gardaí said they were concerned that "even with the best of intentions, there is potential for confrontation between such volunteer safety patrols groups and other persons, confrontations which could result in harm to any person present". Additionally, they warned there were "legal concerns surrounding their activities, which may also have implications for future criminal proceedings". Cllr Tom McDonnell with Conor McGregor: Mr McDonnell said Mr McGregor is 'the only one who can save Ireland'. A Garda spokesperson said: "It is An Garda Síochána's statutory role to investigate crime and enforce enacted legislation, ensuring that every citizen is afforded their constitutional right to innocence until proven guilty and a human rights-based criminal investigation. "An Garda Síochána urges anyone with information regarding breaches of criminal law to report it directly to us, where it will be investigated professionally and thoroughly." It said the force was "acutely aware of the significant volume of misinformation, disinformation and fake news in circulation in relation to public safety". "The actions of certain private groups are a cause for concern for An Garda Síochána and other police services," it added. Another individual at Mr McGregor's event, Kildare councillor Tom McDonnell, defended his attendance where he presented Mr McGregor with a bottle of holy water and a copy of the Irish constitution. He told KFM Mr McGregor "has a direct line" to the White House and Mr McGregor is "the only one who can save Ireland". Mr McDonnell told the station Ireland was "in a crisis" and Mr McGregor had brought this to the attention of Donald Trump, who would now "assist Ireland", but did not expand on what that assistance might be. He said he would "stand with Conor McGregor" and suggested the civil case taken against Mr McGregor was "probably backed by the Government". Meanwhile, last weekend, the Freemasons of Ireland said it was a "mistake" to allow an interview between Mr McGregor and Mr Carlson to take place at its Dublin premises. During the interview, Mr McGregor criticised the Government, which he claimed was responsible for the "erasure of Irish culture" and "mass" immigration and also admitted his presidential ambitions may not get off the ground. A representative for Mr McGregor who had previously contacted the Irish Examiner on his behalf, did not respond to a query as to whether Mr McGregor was a member of, or funding, any far-right groups.
