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LAST UPDATE | 18 Feb 2023
LARGE CROWDS GATHERED in Dublin this afternoon to show solidarity with migrants and refugees, standing in opposition to a wave of recent anti-immigration protests.
Demonstrators marched from Parnell Square to Custom House Quay, where a stage had been set up for speakers and musical acts.
The sizeable march stretched down O’Connell Street back to the starting point at the Garden of Remembrance. It came in the wake of anti-immigration protests at accommodation centres for refugees in recent weeks and incidents under investigation by gardaí, including an attack on a tenting site in Ashtown and the burning of a building in Dublin.
Organisations dedicated to support migrants and refugees race were being joined by advocacy campaigns, community groups, trade unions, NGOs, some political parties and more, while the line-up of performers included singer Christy Moore as well as Maverick Sabre, Zeztro, Smilez, Steo Wall and Adam Mohamed.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday ahead of the protest, Chair of United Against Racism Memet Uludag said that it is “not good enough to see rising homelessness numbers in 21st century Ireland, it is not good enough that hospitals are crumbling away and that the health service is under huge stress, and it is not good enough to give lip-service to these public services”.
“We are calling on the government to deal with these societal issues which have been a reason why many people in communities are angry,” Uludag said.
“But we reject hate, racism and anger, and that anger needs to be directed at those responsible for running this country, not the most vulnerable sections of our communities, not to people of colour, not to migrants, not to immigrants, not to women, not to LGBTQ people.”
Additional reporting by Carl Kinsella
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Maybe, if we were not in the middle of a ff/fg induced rental and housing crisis we would be able to welcome refugees. But when people who are already in the country are struggling to find places to live, maybe we should hold off until we have places to fecking put them.
@Daniel Muldoon: Solidarity should be shown with refugees regardless since we’re all victims of the FF&FG housing policies. (aside from landlords)
There was incidentally 166k vacant properties in the last census so the space exists but again there’s no political incentive to tax vacancy to make them available.
@Rochelle: small landlords are paying 52% tax on the rent. That’s one major reason why rents are high. They’re getting out in droves because there’s nothing in it and the smaller ones can’t afford to play a long game.
@Joe Bergin. You don’t pay 52% tax on rent. You pay between 20 and 40% on the profits you make on renting out a property.
@Thunder Snowman: Plus prsi and USC, making the effective tax rate approx 52%
@Eileen O’Toole: On the profits.
@Daniel Muldoon: with a post like that, you will be labeled as far right
@Thunder Snowman: that’s a complete myth Mr snowman .. You pay tax on the gross rental income.. Same as any other day job…
@Thunder Snowman: I suggest you consult Google.. Before embarrassing yourself further.. Mr thunder snowman.. Good name by the way..
@Pat Moriarty: Nah, just a selfish a88h01e who has never been in a war.
@Daniel Muldoon: sorry Daniel, can you tell me the stats on who is blocking the planning permissions ? FF and FG are very guilty here but are not alone. I’d be interested to know if you have researched this? I’m very aware of a number of schemes that have been blocked as a result of other parties running campaigns and using their votes to block planning permissions for schemes that would have helped ease the accomadation crisis.
There was too much ignorance in the market, please back up your argument with facts and policy arguments, it’s too easy just to throw away comments. Years ago in order to have a view aired one would have to have deeply considered one’s arguments whereas now every Tim dick and Harry can throw out bile and abuse without any supporting arguments. I’m a floating voter
@Daniel Muldoon: Irish people were and are in other countries all over the world. I’m sure it didn’t always suit.. so sad for humanity to see such hate
FFFG have so much to answer for by sticking their collective heads in the sand regarding housing. The census in 2016 predicted population growth of over 250k up to 2022. Why did they (FFFG) not act on this data which I must say was quite precise? They have turned this country into a very expensive kip.
@@MsHanrahanBNS: They certainly didn’t waltz off a plane with no documents and expect free housing/welfare services/third level education/health services etc.
In fact, most would have gone on legitimate visas/green cards. Alternatively, if they are illegal in USA for example, they are thrown in a dingy prison for 6 weeks before getting deported and forfeiting anything left behind.
You do see the difference I hope.
@Thunder Snowman: it’s 52% tax on your rent & that is a fact
I assume this was a march about helping those in most need? Not about allowing chancers flood the system?
@RJ: it was a march for everyone. But sure you know that already.
@RJ: clown
There was a wave of anti-immigration protests !! Funny because the journal didn’t really cover them did they !!!
@Mikes: Are you talking about the small groups of up to 100-150 m*rons blocking the roads and the port tunnel? Yeah, there’s really not much to report about, except the traffic delay and chaos they caused.
@Mikes: the journal, didn’t cover last Saturday in ardee and last Sunday in carrickmacross
More people at them than today
@Aileen Lawlor: I’m really not sure if the election will tell anything as most of the opposition parties would allow more immigration if anything, and no one is shouting stop. The like of the National Party and other fringe party don’t lend themselves to voters with some of their other policies. I like most people will have nothing to do with either sides protests or marches but surely we can at least have one party who will highlight the current problems and target sustainable future immigration into our country.
@Wolfgang Bonow: No . Im talking about the protests which took place night after night in Finglas and in Killarney. The major issue I have with all this is that our government doesn’t seem mature enough to hold full open debates hearing all sides and decide on an immigration policy and strategy. Constant fear of those objecting to immigrants without listening to their argument will only lead to anarchy. If it is the will of the people is to keep the floodgates open so be it . But by silencing anyone opposed to that plan and by not openly debating the issues will breed more and more hatred and resentment.
@Wolfgang Bonow: No, I’m talking about the protests night after night in Finglas and Killarney . The main issue I find is that this government unlike so many longer established countries appear to be terrified to hold a full open debate hearing all sides and the setting a defined strategy and policy to deal with the issue of immigration. It appears to be whee lout the PC line and keep the floodgates open. If it is the will of the people so be it but only by debating the issue and hearing all sides can we establish a consensus. Otherwise we will continue to fuel suspicion, resentment and head toward anarchy. At present we are taking in everyone . Is that not a disservice to the true refugees? Many arriving from countries with no direct flights and discarding passports on arrival.
@Wolfgang Bonow: maybe check facts
@Mikes: They did in the beginning. I think they stopped because they didn’t want to provide a platform for these people or give them media attention that may result in more people joining the “cause”. Just my speculation though.
@Josie Jones: Read Ellis O’Hanlon on the back page of the Indo
@Aileen Lawlor: Read Ellis O’Hanlon on the back page of the Indo about yesterday’s March
Refugees welcome.. Just not in my backyard march
Fairplay to all who took part and organised it
@Liam Mc Meel: it’s great to see
@Liam Mc Meel: Agreed, we need to show compassion and I believe largely we are pulling our weight as a nation. I also think we need a mature discussion on immigration including the positive and negative impact it has on the population. We also need to admit and recognise economic migration masquerading as those seeking refuge, it is happening and not recognising it is doing a disservice to everyone.
@Liam Mc Meel: it was a great turnout, couldn’t believe it myself. Made me very proud of our little country.
Well done to all involved, hatred has no place in our society.
@Maximus_Demonus: it’s not hatred to acknowledge that there is a rental and housing crisis and adding more people to that problem is not helping anyone, even the refugees.
@Maximus_Demonus: where is there hatred involved . People in comm
@Daniel Muldoon: So help yourself before helping anyone else?
@Tony Lewis: Maybe read the article, it explains this.
@Maximus_Demonus: a government should be judged how the most vulnerable in society are treated. What does it do to refugees if there is no where to house them? Fact is 34% came from same places of origin, while others tore up documents before presenting themselves for asylum. This is what people have a problem with, not genuine asylum seekers themselves, and are being branded by the left as racists.
@James Reardon: *safe places of origin.
@Aileen Lawlor: and you know he didn’t go? Did you?
@James Reardon: I understand it’s complex but people have NO humanity to protest outside asylum centers. I’ve spoken to traumatized parents and kids who’ve hidden inside. March outside the Dail or complain to your local reps. That’s where the hatred reveals itself for what it is.
@Daniel Muldoon: that is true but there is an element under that umbrella that display terrible bile and absolute ignorance and hatred towards all that are not irish. Nasty stuff all over other platforms. Not nice people.
@Daniel Muldoon: How is the homework going !
@Aileen Lawlor: I did thanks
So many posts deleted in this thread.
It would be interesting to know where today’s marchers are coming from .It is essential to have a fair distribution of incomers and whether intentionally or otherwise it would seem that’s not the way at present .You can’t expect people who have the bare minimum to be overjoyed at the arrival of outsiders .In my own area some rundown corporation housing was demolished and a pristine green area put in its place .For the first time ever the remaining residents could look out on green grass .Now it’s got a.giant hoarding around it and in a month or so will be covered with modular housing for refugees . Maybe the visitors need the space more for now at least ,but we had homeless before and not much panic then
@Joan Grennan: It’s very easy to be pro endless immigration when many will probably never have to deal with the negative consequences that may occur in future. They are similar with other social problems and are the ones who will preach the loudest. I can’t forsee us escaping the problems that other countries have experienced with this type of immigration or do they think we’ve some secret formula that will prevent them happening in Ireland? It will inveitablly be the poorer classes who will face the brunt of the problems as usual.
I don’t want undocumented asylum seekers and it’s not about hatred first there is no room for them second something must be wrong if they undocumented and third the government cannot look after their 11 thousand homeless
@Pauline Cahill: it’s a failing of the Irish government if they have not been able to either deny entry or assist in them becoming legal. Being an illegal immigrant does not mean they get to be subjected to racial abuse. The danger is people assume any foreign people or specifically non-whites are here illegally. Some are, but again doesn’t mean that Irish citizens get to bully or abuse them. The onus is on the immigration department, not the migrant.
@Pauline Cahill: Well I have been told that many of them come from war torn countries where the normal services such as passport offices are in disarray ,but who knows . It’s just a mess and for sure once they get in here they will be here for the duration . Our lot don’t do tough love .
@Joan Grennan: none of them come straight to Ireland so where are their Passports ? u can’t get on a plane without one
This isn’t gonna go down well but a lot of the people complaining are wanting their council house free from the state and there aren’t any. The government needs to stop pandering to the people contributing the least yet getting the most. I think the social welfare system in Ireland or at the very least Dublin needs a complete overhaul. Giving houses to single mothers in untenable. Working people have to wait until they can afford it to have family.
@Aileen Lawlor: obviously not all people on social welfare are Irish but before we had immigrants or refugees etc Irish were getting everything handed to them on a plat and still do to a certain degree. Working is not an incentive in Ireland. Refugees and asylum seekers are not in social housing they’re packed into direct provision housing. To pick on refugees and asylum seekers who are the most in need, the most vulnerable is pathetic. To be frank the people protesting are people who don’t want “foreigners” in Ireland. But let me tell you there would be no Celtic tiger without them. Tech companies built a large part of the economy . Requiring skills the vast majority of Irish didn’t have. Know what side your bread is buttered on.
That’s my Ireland. Well done ✅ to all.
@Joe Bergin.: Easily pleased with FF and FG I see. Long way off from “my” Ireland.
Great to see such great support from the ordinary people of Ireland
Tens of thousands??
The housing policy and immigration need to be considered in unison. What is the point of creating lots of jobs and opportunities for migrant workers, who by the way are most welcome, where there is a lack of housing supply.
The carefree days of the widespread privately funded Celtic Tiger developments which led to the crash probably wont ever appear again. And a balanced approach with an emphasis on increasing supply is needed.
The structure of Irish cities and towns will change. There needs to be a serious discussion about ongoing opposition to larger developments. For example, a good debating point is the proposed development in the Blanchardstown Centre. Is this a good development? Or would another Tyrellstown be a better option?
Great crowd, great atmosphere, great riposte to the fascists.
@DJ François: So on top of the 100k refugees in 2023, how many do you reckon Ireland can cope with? Or do you not do details, just left-gesturing, compassion-emoting and pro-refugee ideological virtue signalling? Because the issue is Ireland’s capacity to absorb refugees at the current rate, not racism or any other ism.
FFFG have so much to answer for by sticking their collective heads in the sand regarding housing. The census in 2016 predicted population growth of over 250k up to 2022. Why did they (FFFG) not act on this data which I must say was quite precise? They have turned this country into a very expensive kip.
Ireland does not belong to the Irish – the Irish belong to Ireland. Ireland is not for the Irish – the Irish are for Ireland. The soil is not of me – I am of the soil. Modern “patriots” seem to have a way of getting everything bass ackwards.
@Deirdre O’Byrne: I completely disagree with this.
@Deirdre O’Byrne: That attitude is something similar to what the English colonists adapted to Ireland many centuries ago. That wave of immigration went great didn’t it? I love this country for its beautiful scenery which of course will never change, but also its people and culture. Allowing mass immigration will of course affect this part of our country. Assimilation won’t be possible unless immigration is carefully managed, which it definitely is not at the moment.
Iv not a problem with refugees coming into this country once there room for them and they pass the correct criteria e.i they haven’t been convicted for a serous crime.
I think yesterday March was supposed to be aimed for the wrongs the the government is doing but it was taken over by the far left with the racism and we welcome refugees slogans.
Free movement is not working for example for a person have a serious criminal conviction in thete country they are allowed to come to ours this is 100% wrong and should stop straight away .
Iam not a racist I work with different nationalitys and they agree with me .
The problem with the anti-immigration protesters is that they have no problem burning down buildings and terrorising people. Kristallnacht comes to mind.
Tens of thousands f@@k up with yourself couple of 100 more like
Well said Memet. I hope this sends a message
This is the ireland we all know & love. People are very quick to forget that we were once immigrants ourselves.
@Damien Gormley: That old chestnut again ‘we were once immigrants ourselves’ We are 100% not comparing like with like .The Irish who went to America were no more than cheap labour , the men slaving away on building sites ,the women in kitchens . I do applaud your kind attitude but I believe like many people do that our government can’t be trusted to safeguard the interests of its own people .Free movement of people with a multitude of different languages ,confusion over identity , documents and what not is a potential nightmare .
Can’t teach a fo ol
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