Anti-racism and anti-immigration demonstrations held in Dublin city
O’Connell Bridge closed temporarily amid large Garda presence as groups marched through city
www.irishtimes.comRecent anti-immigration protests in Ireland have escalated, particularly in Dublin, amid tensions over asylum seeker accommodations and alleged crimes. The most prominent recent incident involved hundreds of protesters clashing with police near a hotel housing asylum seekers.[1][2]
October 2025 Dublin Clashes
Over 1,000 demonstrators gathered in southwest Dublin after a 26-year-old man, believed to be an asylum seeker, was charged with sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl at the Citywest Hotel. Protesters threw bottles and fireworks at officers, set a police vehicle ablaze, and chanted slogans like "Get them out!" and "Irish lives matter." Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan condemned the violence as an exploitation of crime to incite discord, while Prime Minister Micheál Martin called it "extremely serious."[2][1]
Earlier 2025 Events
In June 2025, counter-demonstrations occurred in Dublin, with anti-immigration groups marching alongside anti-racism rallies, leading to barriers and chants across O'Connell Bridge. A March 2025 protest in Belfast saw anti-immigration and counter-racism groups face off at City Hall.[4][7]
Broader Context
Protests date back to late 2022, often triggered by rumors of asylum seeker involvement in crimes, though Gardaí reported no crime increase linked to them. Violence has included arson and clashes, drawing political backlash labeling some actions as "fascist-like." No major incidents appear post-October 2025 up to April 2026 based on available reports.[3][1]