The protest, which had an estimated participation of around 200 individuals, including members from a relatively small but notorious far-right group, was predominantly characterized by racism. Recently, the far right has organized protests against the accommodation of refugees at direct provision centers, as well as targeted trans individuals within libraries.
It is worth noting that the vast majority of people in the country do not support organized far-right protesters. While it is important to acknowledge the existence of this emerging movement, it would be unwise to exaggerate the level of threat it poses to the State.
Therefore, reactive statements claiming that protesters seek to “establish a fascist dictatorship over the dead bodies of left-wing TDs” do not accurately reflect the actual level of threat posed by this group.
It is also important to remember that this is not the first time menacing protests have taken place near the Dáil or targeted individual TDs.
Back in 2010, a group of over 50 people, led by a Sinn Féin TD, breached the gates at Government Buildings following an earlier protest. In addition, in 2014, the Tánaiste and Labour Party leader Joan Burton was trapped in her car for nearly three hours due to angry protesters blocking her departure from an event in Jobstown, Tallaght, which a judge subsequently described as “an attack on the Irish State.”
According to our columnist Gene Kerrigan, An Garda Síochána needs to continuously rethink its approach to policing such demonstrations and treat all protesters impartially, regardless of their political leanings.
The ongoing culture war is generating extreme actions and reactions, fueled largely by anger and hostility on social media, as highlighted by another one of our columnists, Colin Murphy. He mentions the valuable work being done by organizations to understand this phenomenon and reduce the level of threat it poses.
In today’s published letters, various individuals address this issue using robust yet respectful language rarely found on social media and absent from the gates of Leinster House during the protest.
If the construction of a mock gallows featuring images of political figures is deemed to violate relevant laws following these events, appropriate legal action must be taken.
Meanwhile, security measures are under review by the authorities, with discussions around the potential establishment of a “sterile zone” around Leinster House.
While this is understandable given the vitriolic nature of the recent protest, implementing such measures may have unintended consequences and ultimately pose a risk to everyone’s constitutional right to peaceful demonstration.
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