The largest protest to date in opposition to the government’s handling of immigration saw thousands of demonstrators pack Dublin city centre today.
As numbers of migrants and asylum seekers surge, and the government struggles to deal with what an Taoiseach Simon Harris has described as ‘shanty towns in Dublin city centre’, protesters today demanded urgent action on the growing crisis.
Just a small section of the crowd marching down from Parnell square today pic.twitter.com/wWRx1Q0rA1
— Séamus Mór (@SeamusMor19) May 6, 2024
Marchers waved tricolours and held posters critical of the government’s immigration policy. They passed a counter-protest on O’Connell Street which had been cordoned off by an Garda Síochana without incident.
Crowds passing by the statue of Daniel O'Connell pic.twitter.com/H5tPGNRjqY
— gript (@griptmedia) May 6, 2024
Sinn Féin, which has recently pivoted on the issue of immigration, were described as “traitors” during chanting by the crowd on Custom House Quay.
Thousands gathering outside the Customs House, Dublin. pic.twitter.com/1jwqO7lj3Q
— gript (@griptmedia) May 6, 2024
The crowd heard from a number of speakers, and was addressed by candidates in the upcoming local and European elections including Malachy Steenson and Gavin Pepper.
A very large crowd of people has assembled in Dublin for what organisers say is a protest against Government immigration policy. pic.twitter.com/mWkw39lRam
— gript (@griptmedia) May 6, 2024
There were criticisms of media outlet for the coverage of the crowds – and praise for X, which Elon Musk responded to by tweeting that “The people of Ireland are standing up for themselves”.
The people of Ireland are standing up for themselves!
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 6, 2024
Mr Steenson, who was an organiser of today’s event, slammed the government for seeking to blame the crisis in the immigration system on Britain – saying “the British government is doing what the Irish government should be doing”. He said that the elections in June were an opportunity for change.
The crowd applauded those in attendance from Newtownmountkennedy who were the focus of national attention in recent weeks when the Garda riot squad charged those opposing the placement of a migrant centre in the Wicklow town.
Welcome to the newest recruits to the Irish, Far right.
The Irish mammies and Grannies are sick of the nonsense.
We're all in trouble now. pic.twitter.com/Zisk07W4uK
— Dave (@DaithiM72) May 6, 2024
There were repeated call during the march to get the government out, while marchers chanted “whose streets? Our Streets” as the crowd moved down O’Connell Street.
#IrelandOptsOut pic.twitter.com/9PrxsTv7Y7
— Teach Gruama (@Bleakhouse12) May 6, 2024
Immigration is now now a priority issue for voters, polling shows. Numbers of asylum applicants continue to surge as more than 30,000 are housed by the state in addition to demands for accommodation and services for more than 104,000 Ukrainians.
The additional pressure on housing and services have come as Ireland was already experiencing a critical shortage of homes, and a crisis in healthcare services.
According to the last Census, one in five people now living in Ireland were not born here.