Sinn Féin TD Claire Kerrane has rejected claims that her party is being “two-faced” on immigration, after being pressed on the party attending a national-level counter-protest against immigration critics and later hosting local meetings with residents to hear their concerns on the issue.
In an exchange with Gript this week, Kerrane was asked whether it was hypocritical for Sinn Féin deputies to attend a counter-demonstration in Dublin against a major protest objecting to the Government’s immigration policy, and then subsequently hold a public forum in Carrickmacross to hear concerns about immigration from local constituents.
“It’s important that you create the spaces publicly for people that have genuine concerns and questions,” she said.
“That they’re able to do that in a forum where they meet their elected representatives and they raise their questions or concerns.”
She said the purpose of the earlier counter-demonstration had been to send a clear message against racism.
“That counter demonstration from the signs I saw was very much saying no to racism and welcoming people that are here that are coming here to work and to contribute,” Kerrane explained.
“And obviously for those that aren’t, their return to their countries — and we’re seeing that happening now.”
When it was put to her that counter-protesting a large public march amounted to insinuating that those participating were racists, she pushed back on the suggestion.
“No, not at all,” she said.
“But I think sometimes we see racist rhetoric when it comes to the conversation and the debate around immigration. Unfortunately that is part and parcel and it has become that.”
Kerrane defended the decision to counter-protest and said those involved had every right to be there.
“They had a clear message and they were very entitled to have a counter demonstration,” she said.
Pressed again on whether it was contradictory for Sinn Féin to both oppose the Dublin march and hold local meetings engaging directly with residents raising the same issues, she rejected the premise.
“No, there’s no disjointed message,” Kerrane said.
“There’s an issue in Carrickmacross — people are concerned. Matt Carthy is their elected representative. He created that public forum, that’s important. And the counter demonstration — those that wish to be part of that were there, and that was for them.”
The counter-demonstration in Dublin, attended by several Sinn Féin representatives, took place ahead of a major protest against immigration policy that drew tens of thousands of participants. The counter-protest featured signs with slogans including “No to racism” and “Refugees welcome.”
In the weeks that followed, Matt Carthy TD hosted a local forum in Carrickmacross to hear from constituents about immigration, one of several issues on the agenda.
Attendees at the Carrickmacross meeting expressed deep frustration with both immigration policy and what they described as deteriorating safety in the town. The meeting heard of a sharp decline in quality of life, with one individual saying the town was “practically dead,” and claiming women no longer felt safe walking alone.
Concerns were also raised about antisocial behaviour, large groups loitering near ATMs, and children being unable to walk to school unaccompanied.
There were also criticisms of perceived Government neglect and failure to manage migration effectively, with repeated references to a lack of Garda presence and a fear that crime was rising.