Far-right activists have launched a campaign that is dividing communities and intensifying debates about immigration, filling the streets of Dublin with national flags, Reuters reports.
Supporters of the campaign have said the flags, placed on lampposts without approval, are a simple display of patriotism, and many have reacted angrily to the idea that the use of the national flag could be restricted. Meanwhile, others said the flags, which mimic a similar campaign in Britain, are being put up to intimidate and mark neighborhoods as Irish-only.
Ashley Nelson, 52, was the first to see the flags. She said she had never been ashamed of the national flag, but now it is being used as a symbol of hate: “This is racism, this is ‘Ireland for the Irish’; it’s disgusting.”
Although no one has claimed responsibility for the flags, the most vocal defenders have been far-right groups. Some locals who welcome the flag-raising have expressed openly anti-immigration views. Martin Kidd, 62, said he could not blame the people who put up the flags: “These (immigrants) are going around as if they own the place.” He described the city as becoming more unsavory in the past 20 years, blaming the increasing number of immigrants. He also said
there would be resistance if local authorities decided to remove the flags.
The 2022 census showed that 47% of Dublin’s inner-city North were born outside Ireland. The country, which has a history of poverty-stricken emigration, is almost unique in Europe in having no far-right representatives in its parliament. However, the 21st century has seen increased affluence, and the mixed ethnic makeup of the streets suggests that Ireland has become attractive to immigrants.
The number of anti-immigration groups has increased in recent years. In 2023, anti-immigration activists helped to cause widespread riots in Dublin, and there have been cases of arson in asylum seekers’ shelters.
So far, the authorities have not tried to prevent the flags, which are also seen in other cities.
Dublin North Inner City Councillor Janet Horner complained of palpable tension, and said the lack of action was creating an environment in which small-scale attempts to intimidate ethnic minorities were allowed and tolerated.
Dublin City Council said it was working on the issue and was working with local officials. A comprehensive risk assessment was needed before the flags were removed. One local resident said that if the flags were taken down now, there would be twice as many. While immigrants who had been living in Dublin for a short time said they were not informed about the symbolism of the flags, those who had been living in Ireland for a longer time said they felt very worried.
Read also: Lagarde: European economy cannot grow without migrants