Anti-immigration protesters gathered in Dublin today, claiming Irish politicians have been influenced by foreign forces.
Around 500 demonstrators marched from O'Connell Street towards the Dáil, blocking traffic and chanting slogans such as "get them out" and "whose streets, our streets".
The protest coincided with the start of the new Dáil term.
Participants carried Irish flags and banners representing local movements against housing international protection applicants.
One protester said "the Irish can't afford this"
GB News
One protester, speaking to GB News Ireland reporter Dougie Beattie, expressed concerns about undocumented migrants: "The problem with the immigrants coming in is they're undocumented and illegal.
"The Irish people can't afford this. These undocumented male. There's no women. There's no children. It's just men."
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She added: "We have lots and lots of people here, diverse from everywhere in the world.
"There's no problem with those people. They have jobs, they come, they work. They make their whole life here."
Another demonstrator claimed: "They don't want to listen. We feel that they've been hijacked by foreign forces with big money."
Beattie pointed out: "I have been on many of these protests, as you have said, and I have seen a big difference today in the amount of people from all over Ireland."
Protesters carried Irish flags
GB News
She added: "We have lots and lots of people here, diverse from everywhere in the world. There's no problem with those people. They have jobs, they come, they work. They make their whole life here."
Another demonstrator claimed: "They don't want to listen. We feel that they've been hijacked by foreign forces with big money."
These statements reflect the protesters' concerns about the perceived strain on resources and the influence of external forces on Irish politics.
The anti-immigration protest featured banners representing local movements against housing international protection applicants, including "Coolock Says No", "Thornton Hall Says No", "Dundalk Says No" and "Newtown Says No".
Protesters chanted slogans targeting political parties, such as "Sinn Féin are traitors" and "Fine Gael are traitors".
Another demonstrator claimed "they don't want to listen"
GB News
Several speakers addressed the crowd, including Kildare councillor Tom McDonnell and unsuccessful local election candidates Ben Garrigan and Michelle Keane.
The demonstration caused significant disruption to Dublin's city centre, with protesters blocking traffic on O'Connell Bridge and causing tailbacks.
Some protesters expressed a desire for stricter border controls, with one stating: "We should be like Germany, close the borders".
The Irish Independent reported that whilst a Garda spokesperson was unaware of any arrests, images showed people being detained by officers at the scene.
