Far-right campaigner uses photos of migrants to sell 'criminal identifier' spray

Extra.ie​

25-05-2025

A far-right activist and former leader of an anti-immigration party is using images of immigrants in a bid to bolster demand for a self-defence spray he is selling online.
The platform selling Farb Gel – a 'criminal identifier' spray – appears on a website set up by failed general election candidate Derek Blighe last month.
He recently told his followers on Elon Musk's X, formerly Twitter, that the gel is a 'precursor to pepper spray legalisation in Ireland'. This is a reference to calls for pepper spray, which only gardaí are currently permitted to use, to be legalised. Mr Blighe has used images of immigrants in adverts for the spray that he has posted online. Pic: Defender 21
The Cork-based construction worker said: 'When carrying self-defence becomes normalised, they'll be forced to legislate to public demand.'
Since launching the website, Defender 21, last month, Mr Blighe has used images of immigrants in adverts for the spray that he has posted online.
The first advert he posted on the site – video stills from which we have included – shows a young woman walking down a street while being accosted by what appears to be three Irishmen. A young woman walking down a street while being accosted by what appears to be three Irishmen. Pic: Defender 21
In the video, the anti-immigration activist claims it is legal to carry Farb Gel in Ireland. He urges followers to buy the spray to protect themselves, 'because what's between you and your attacker could save your life'.
But in later posts promoting the spray, Mr Blighe uses images and videos of men from other countries. Reposting a video from Italy, which purportedly showed a Moroccan man stabbing pedestrians, Mr Blighe comments: 'Knife attacks will become more commonplace in your future. I'm going to show you the best defence for a knife attacker, but deterrence is the best option.
'Get some Farb Gel self-defence spray at Defender21.com,' he urges his followers. Pic: Defender 21
In another post containing a still CCTV image of a black man carrying a barrel, he writes: 'Get yourself some high pressure self defence spray today, and put some distance between yourself and the dangerous threat!'
Earlier that day, in a message beside a picture of the same man, he wrote: 'Naked foreign national caught on camera smashing up a dozen or more cars. Ireland needs mass deportations and remigration.'
The former Ireland First leader, who is also advertising an anti-immigration protest in Cork next month, also used a post about a car being driven into a crowd in Germany to promote his spray.
He tells followers: 'Terror attacks are becoming commonplace all over the western world. Defender 21 will offer you common sense strategies to keep you safe in today's world.' Mr Blighe reposted a video of an attack on a black man allegedly filmed in South Africa. Pic: Defender 21
In another social media message, Mr Blighe reposted a video of an attack on a black man allegedly filmed in South Africa. This post did not contain any promotion of his new product but was posted among his advertisements for Farb Gel and next month's planned anti-immigration protest.
He wrote: 'If they can do this to their own, imagine what they would do to a white person! And does that level of violence suddenly disappear when they arrive in your country?'
His website claims the Defender 21 'team' is 'passionate about your safety'.
It states: 'Personal safety is becoming more challenging in today's world. From knife crime to sexually motivated assaults, kidnapping and home invasions, traditional self-defence methods need an update. We will bring you a range of solutions to deter potential attackers and keep you safe.' Derek Blighe. Pic: File
Earlier this year, Extra.ie reported that Mr Blighe is under criminal investigation after he claimed – without providing any evidence – that a 15-year-old boy was allegedly 'gang raped' by a group of Roma men.
The move to prosecute Blighe signalled the first move by gardaí to clamp down on widespread disinformation being peddled by well-known far-right agitators online.
It came as senior sources revealed gardaí are being 'flooded' with referrals about potential breaches of the new EU Digital Services Act, whose main goal is to combat illegal and harmful activities online and the spread of disinformation.
In recent months, gardaí have been forced to issue several misinformation notices after false claims were made by far-right provocateurs online.
One of these notices was published the day after Mr Blighe posted on social media that a '15-year-old boy was allegedly gang-raped by a group of Roma Gypsy men' in Ballaghaderreen, Co. Mayo'. The subsequent Garda statement said there had been 'a significant degree of misinformation in circulation online'. Gardaí confirmed they did receive a report of an alleged assault in Ballaghaderreen, but said their probe did not involve foreign nationals.
In February, Mr Blighe told his followers that 'armed detectives' turned up at his door because the post allegedly 'incited hatred against a group of people'.
The failed general election candidate said he was invited to make a statement after a complaint was made 'about one of my alleged social media posts about an alleged rape of a child in Co. Mayo'.
Mr Blighe claimed he told gardaí he had 'no interest in making a statement late at night when my two children are inside in bed'.
He also said he was told by a detective that a file on the matter will be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The far-right agitator previously told Extra.ie he would continue to post the addresses of proposed asylum centres online after several buildings linked with international protection accommodation were set on fire. He also said he wouldn't report arson threats made on his social media platforms to gardaí.
According to the Incitement to Hatred Act 1989, it is an offence to communicate threatening, abusive or insulting material that is intended, or likely to 'stir up' hatred against a group of people because of their race, colour, nationality, religion, ethnic or national origins, membership of the travelling community or sexual orientation.
The communication can be spoken, in writing, broadcast or part of a recording. However, as previously reported by Extra.ie, there have been just 50 prosecutions in the 35 years since the law came into effect.
In response to queries, Mr Blighe insisted the gel is 'a discreet self-defence product, which is completely legal in Ireland for self-defence purposes'.