Ireland is experiencing unprecedented civil unrest due to anti-migrant sentiment, following a 300 per cent surge in immigration applications over five years.
Dublin has witnessed severe disturbances, with incidents of violence involving public transport, street confrontations and residential disturbances. Civilian patrols have emerged in the capital, whilst police forces employ riot control measures against protesters, Daily Mail reported.
The CSO reports that 150,000 individuals relocated to Ireland in 2023-24, marking the highest influx in 17 years. Of these, merely 30,000 were returning Irish nationals. The majority settled in central Dublin’s disadvantaged areas or small provincial localities.
The country currently accommodates nearly 33,000 international protection applicants, increased from 7,244 in 2017. This includes African and Middle Eastern arrivals, alongside 100,000 Ukrainian refugees. Each applicant costs approximately £70 daily, representing a one-third increase over two years. Late last year, homelessness amongst asylum seekers reached 3,001.
Ukrainian refugee accommodation funding has decreased from £910million in 2023 to £340million this year, with further reductions anticipated.
‘Ireland is at war’: Anti-immigration protests leads to violence in capital
Anti-immigration demonstrations caused severe unrest in Dublin, with protesters hurling petrol bombs, burning vehicles and setting ablaze a paint factory intended to house 550 asylum seekers.
At the former Crown Paints facility in Coolock, hundreds clashed with Gardai as violence erupted throughout the day. Anti-immigration demonstrators established a temporary encampment, with photographs showing burning machinery including a digger.
Fifteen individuals faced charges related to public disorder incidents at the north Dublin location.
The previous November, prominent figures, including MMA personality Conor McGregor, intensified tensions on social media before public demonstrations erupted over unverified claims that an Algerian migrant had attacked three children near a kindergarten. McGregor stated: “Ireland is at war”.
Approximately 500 individuals initiated an anti-migrant disturbance, congregating near notable city landmarks, displaying flags and holding placards stating “Irish Lives Matter.”
Rioters initiated a blaze in a Holiday Inn Express following speculation about migrant occupancy. A nearby refugee facility was reportedly attacked with petrol bombs, whilst emergency services faced assault with projectiles and metal rods.
Why migrants still hopeful about Ireland?
Ireland’s historical emigration has seen over six million people move to the US since 1820, driven by poverty and aspirations for better opportunities.
The Great Famine of 1845-52 marked the highest exodus from Ireland, when potato crop failures led to widespread destitution. The situation worsened with subsequent evictions and near-famines, as the nation’s dependence on potatoes proved catastrophic due to crop disease.
During this decade, approximately 25% of the population relocated to America, contributing to the current statistic that one in six Americans claim Irish ancestry, as per Daily Mail.
Female emigrants, particularly young and unmarried, dominated the outflow, reaching its peak between 1886 and 1905 when they constituted nearly two-thirds of US-bound emigrants.
The current population surge has severely impacted housing and healthcare sectors. Property prices exceed the 2007 boom by over 10%, whilst rental costs have increased 43% in five years. Despite separate housing lists for locals and migrants, newcomers face blame for accommodation shortages.
Government policies have toughened, with deportation orders rising 156%. Border police immediately expel illegal entrants from Northern Ireland.
Dublin’s International Protection Office area now features extensive temporary shelters. The Irish Refugee Council reports over 3,000 homeless asylum seekers. Since December 2023, only 736 of 6,407 applicants received immediate accommodation after vulnerability assessment.
Nick Henderson, Irish Refugee Council CEO, stated: “We can’t continue to normalise homelessness and have the State effectively delegate its duties to volunteers and under resourced charities. It puts both people seeking protection and those helping them at risk of harm.”
The UK government rejected Dublin’s request to accept asylum seekers crossing from Northern Ireland. Irish officials report 80% of asylum seekers arrive via this route, prompting Taoiseach Simon Harris to propose new return legislation after courts deemed the UK unsafe due to its Rwanda agreement.
