Tensions in Wexford over controversial placards as Gardai ‘continue to monitor situation'

Irish Independent

a day ago

Among the subjects broached on the signs are 'Chinese nail shops' which he claims are putting indigenous operations out of business and are breaching employment law.
Long a source of frustration, and one which has been raised by elected representatives in the past, the protestor also targeted organised begging gangs operating in the town.
'They are not homeless,' his sign claims. 'They have never presented themselves as homeless in the town. They are professional beggars which is against the law.'
Another placard points to an apparent growth in popularity of the name Muhammad in the UK, claiming 'this is Ireland's future in 15 to 20 years if we don't act now'.
Having received complaints before, Gardaí on patrol confronted the man this week, pointing out that many could be of the opinion that the sentiments expressed on the placards are offensive.
The man and some supporters around him became quite frustrated by the intervention of gardaí, stating their belief that the language was not offensive and that no crime was being committed.
"Gardaí were getting real abuse,' one onlooker said. 'Fair dues to them for keeping calm in the situation. They were getting abuse for not dealing with 'real criminals'.'
A garda source confirmed: "Gardaí on beat patrol happened upon this guy again. They explained to the man involved that the signs may be seen as offensive by some. We had received complaints previously.
"We've had a couple of engagements with him and we are actively monitoring the situation.'
In attendance on this occasion, filming the encounter was the self-dubbed 'Ordinary Irishman', Gearóid Kelly, from Camross, Co Wexford, who has made several outlandish and inaccurate claims about IPAS centres via his YouTube channel in the past, most notably claiming that Johnstown Castle was to be converted into refugee accommodation.
Introducing himself as Hugh Fagan, the protestor outlined his gripe with 'the Roma beggars in the town'.
"They're not homeless, they are professionally begging,' he said. 'There's four of them in it together.'
He then goes on to make outlandish claims on the Roma community as a whole stating 'their culture consists of robbing, professional begging and sex trafficking'.
On the subject of Chinese owned nail bars he said: 'They don't hire any Irish and Wexford town is really suffering. When one shop opens, two shops close and these don't hire any Irish.'
Having been approached by gardaí, Mr Fagan also stated: 'There is no hate speech in a free society, there's just speech. It's okay to be offended. It's just another person's opinion. The reaction I've had has been brilliant. I've only had three issues, so the support is there.'
When confronted by a passer-by who disagreed with his signs, Mr Fagan stated: 'There's nothing racist on here. Do you have an issue with free speech? You want people to be censored just because you don't like it?'
Turning towards the gardaí, he said: 'You'd arrest me if people weren't here wouldn't you? You would. You'd move me on and you'd speak to me differently."
Concerns over organised begging gangs operating in Wexford town centre are nothing new. Back when he was Mayor of Wexford, now Labour TD George Lawlor said that there was a problem with 'aggressive, in-your-face, intimidating begging' in the town.
"It's not illegal to beg in Ireland,' he said at the time. 'But it is illegal to be involved in organised begging, which is clearly the case when these people arrive into town in an organised manner.'
Just prior to his election to Dáil Éireann, Deputy Lawlor even suggested a 'permit system for ordinary decent beggars' to differentiate them from organised gangs.