Anti-immigrant activists protested today at the former orphanage where 260 Ukrainians are to be housed

Hundred of people gathered in Dundalk at the former St. Joseph's female orphanage and Industrial School and St. Malachy's Convent at Seatown in Dundalk to protest against the decision to house 260 Ukrainian refugees there.

They were met by a large group of counter-demonstrators who chanted 'refugees are welcome here'.

There was a strong garda presence with memeber of the Garda Special Unit making a ring between the anti-immigrant protesters and the counter-demonstrators.

The protest continued for an hour and a half with counter-demonstrators surrounded by gardai leaving at around 6.20pm this evening.