Protesters face off in Dundalk for second week

Protesters and counter-protesters faced off for the second consecutive Sunday at the former St. Joseph's Female Orphanage and Industrial School on Seatown Place in Dundalk, over plans to house 260 Ukrainian refugees at the site.

Crowds began gathering shortly after 11am, with counter-protesters positioning themselves on the footpath directly in front of the building, while anti-immigrant protesters assembled on the opposite side of the street.

A strong garda presence was evident, with officers stationed between the opposing groups and members of the Public Order Unit on standby in the surrounding streets.

Counter- protesters at Sunday's demonstration

Anti-immigrant protesters carried Irish flags and displayed a banner reading “Dundalk Says No.” In contrast, counter-protesters waved Louth, Palestinian, and Antifa flags, holding placards with messages such as “Dundalk Says No to Racism” and “Love Dundalk, Hate Racism.”

Shortly after midday, the anti-immigrant group, flanked by members of the Public Order Unit, began marching up Crowe Street towards the Courthouse, chanting “Get them out.” They paused briefly outside the Dundalk Sinn Féin office.

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At the Courthouse, several speakers from the anti-immigrant side including recent local election candidate for the Irish Freedom Party Tracy O’Hanlon and Dr Finbar Markey addressed the crowd, criticising the government, the Gardaí, and local media.

Meanwhile, counter-protesters, escorted by gardaí, lined up in the middle of Earl Street. They were contained by a line of officers before eventually moving down to the Demesne end of Market Square. Counter protesters led chants such as, “Refugees welcome here,” and “The workers united will never be defeated.”

An anti- immigrant protester talking to a guard

Gardai again formed two lines at either end of the Square to separate the two sides.

The gathering at the Courthouse dispersed around 1pm, with the counter-protesters disbanding shortly thereafter.

It is understood that a third protest is being organised again for this coming Sunday.