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First published 2.48 pm
ANTI-RACISM PROTESTERS were thrown out of the launch of a new anti-immigration party this afternoon, at a hotel just across the road from Leinster House.
Identity Ireland – which favours stricter border controls, EU withdrawal and a return to “full Irish sovereignty” – will formally register as a political party today, activists present at the Buswells event claimed.
Party leader Peter O’Loughlin, an unemployed primary teacher, said that mass immigration undermines workers’ rights, and puts too much strain on education and health services.
He claimed that 90% of asylum seekers in Ireland are “bogus” and rather economic migrants.
The group – founded by O’Loughlin, Alan Tighe (its treasurer) and Gary Allen (its secretary) – also wants to see a return to the punt.
Catherine Healy / TwitterAnd here they are - Identity Ireland founders Alan Tighe, Peter O'Loughlin and Gary Allen. @thejournal_ie pic.twitter.com/xAO1MM5fp1
— Catherine Healy (@Chealy_) July 22, 2015
Escorted out
Two demonstrators who read out statements opposing the party’s policies were escorted out of the launch by hotel management shortly after the event began.
“Your party’s euphemisms about immigration controls are nothing but thinly-veiled masks that attempt to hide the beliefs at the core of your political party,” one woman said, before she was led out of the room.
Another protester laid a wreath at the top of the room in memory of the victims of Anders Breivik, who killed 77 people in a far-right massacre in Norway on this day four years ago.
Catherine Healy / TwitterProtester escorted out of Identity Ireland launch. Supporters hand out literature opposing party. @thejournal_ie pic.twitter.com/Gfpede086t
— Catherine Healy (@Chealy_) July 22, 2015
The remaining demonstrators handed out literature with information on members of the party.
They claimed two people associated with the group are involved in an anti-Islam group on social media.
General election
Identity Ireland said it currently has some 115 members and intends to run two to three candidates in the next general election.
O’Loughlin, who ran as a candidate in the recent Carlow-Kilkenny by-election, told TheJournal.ie that it will look to contest seats in areas like Cork and Dublin, where he said party support is strongest.
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Selective condemnation as per usual. Not a word from our lackeys in government about the imprisonment of Julian Assange
@Ronaldo Blanc: Exactly, or Snowden or Chelsea Manning.
@Ronaldo Blanc: different thing. Assange ain’t no hero, he committed crimes and two independent Investigatory bodies and court systems are holding him.
Russia does not have independent system. Very corrupted. Try to keep up lad.
@Tom Ripley: ones man terrorist is another’s freedom fighter Tom
@Tom Ripley: Assange committee no crimes, was wrongfully accused and is wrongfully held because he exposed WAR CRIMES. Navalny is no hero but is simply a useful mouthpiece for the west to end the Nordstream pipeline project in Europe. He is no hero.
@Tom Ripley: come off it, the only “crime” which Julian Assange was convicted of was the breach of his bail conditions, in the case to extradite him to the USA on the back of sealed secret charges and punish him for revealing the truth through wiki leaks.
In his position I suppose you would just happily wait to be extradited to face trumped up charges in a foreign jurisdiction, with the prospect of being sentenced to 200 years in prison…
@Tom Ripley: … and if the U.S beurocrats are successful in Theo attempts to end the Nordstream pipeline Europe will be forced to pay through the nose 3 times the price for gas from the U.S so it is you who clearly needs to “keep up” Mr. “Ripley”
@Tom Ripley @David cotter @Paul Wrenn @David Van-Standen @Ronaldo Blanc.: Assange was not convicted of any crime. He was not even charged with any crime. He is being held in maximum security Belmarsh prison. He has been held against his will in the UK for over 10 years. He’s a Journalist. He’s being held because of his journalism. He’s a political prisoner. He should be freed immediately to be with his Wife and Children.
@Tom Ripley: He was stitched up by the Americans because he was releasing their dirty secrets. Get with it you dummy and don’t believe everything you see on Fox TV.
@Tom Ripley: Assange, war crimes whistleblower, enemy of the US and UK .
Navalny, western backed useful tool to put an end to Nord Stream Two.
@Ronaldo Blanc: wheres Frances Black on this!!!!
Countries will condemn this in a quick statement but no actions will be taken. That will be it….
@Local Ore: you are absolutely right. Ireland should do more. We should invade Russia.
We worry because it is in the headlines. Those Catalan politicians and community leaders that organised the referendum a number of years ago received lengthy prison sentences by the Spanish and are still in prison. There was uproar at the time but life moves on…….
We could send the health minister over to check it out.
But complete silence from the hypocrites when they lock up Assange who threatens their war crimes and weapons industry sales.
Simon Coveney shakes fist @ clouds!
To be honest this is hypocrisy. Why is the Irish Government not concerned about Julian Assange. Because he compromised American Information! Why are they interested in Navalny ?because it is a chance to take a dig at Russia. Imagine if Putin told the courts in the Uk to release a UK citizen from jail.
Navalny was a business man in Russia before blogging. Ask yourself the question how clean was he? Did he pay all his taxes? Well he got caught. They were nice to him but he went too far. In Ireland he would be called and treated as a Tax Cheat. Why does n’t the Irish government stand up for irish tax cheats when revenue starts prowling?
Yes Bring back the CCCP
And what’s that going to do?
You will know if a comment posted anywhere is that of an Irish person
Patronizing. Try to keep up lad.
@Michael Fitzgerald: Can we have that in english please…
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