logo
'And there you have it' -- Joe Brolly reacts to galling poster at protests

'And there you have it' -- Joe Brolly reacts to galling poster at protests

Extra.ie​27-04-2025

Joe Brolly has reacted to a poster which appeared at the anti-immigration protest which took place in Dublin over the weekend.
Thousands took part in the rally in the city centre on Saturday which began at 2pm at the Garden of Remembrance at Parnell Square.
Public transport was impacted and there was a heightened Garda presence throughout the city. Joe Brolly has reacted to a poster which appeared at the anti-immigration march which took place in Dublin over the weekend. Pic: Sam Boal/Collins Photos
The protest travelled down to Custom House Quay. Councillors Gavin Pepper, Malachy Steenson, Patrick Quinlan and Philip Sutcliffe were among the attendees.
Chants of 'Ireland for the Irish,' and 'Get them out' were shouted with some protestors holding signs reading 'Coolock Says No,' 'Irish Lives Matter,' and 'Ireland is Full.'
Another poster saw Conor McGregor, who was vocal in his support for the march, in between US President Donald Trump and President of Russia Vladimir Putin.
Ahead of the protest, the Dubliner took to social media and branded the rally a 'big day here for our country.' The protest travelled down to Custom House Quay. Councillors Gavin Pepper; Malachy Steenson' Patrick Quinlan and Philip Sutcliffe amongst attendees. Pic: RollingNews.ie
He said: 'Over 100 years ago, our brave men and women made the ultimate sacrifice so that we could live free today. So let us remind ourselves why we are here — and also why we are not here.
'We are not here to build hatred amongst each other. We are not here to sow division. We are here to commemorate the valiant heroes who went before us. We honour their spirit, we honour their fight.'
'To those leading the march and speaking for the tens of thousands standing behind you: be calm, be clear, speak with dignity.
And there you have it pic.twitter.com/VIbsRqNXPD — Joe Brolly (@JoeBrolly1993) April 26, 2025
'We want to hear your voice. Together, we rise. Together, we win. God bless us all. God bless Ireland.'
Joe Brolly took to social media to share the picture of a galling poster at the rally which displayed McGregor alongside Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, simply writing: 'And there you have it.'
The post was met with a mixed reaction, with those in support of McGregor stating that it was planted.
One said: 'Clearly a plant like they did during the anti-lockdown protests. Remember Brolly cried his eyes out on Newstalk for a looted Foot Locker. They feel nothing for Ireland as a nation. It's parish and county for them only.'
Another asked: 'Did you plant that there yourself Joe? The left funding nonsense to try to tarnish every one else.'
A third added: 'Honestly. The mentality of this crowd and who's lead they are following,' while a fourth commented: 'The unholy trinity.'
A counter-protest took place at the nearby GPO at 1.30pm. Their counter chants heard criticism of McGregor, who was last year found liable for rape, as well as 'refugees are welcome here.'

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Oceans get their day in the sun at UN summit in French Riviera
Oceans get their day in the sun at UN summit in French Riviera

The Journal

time2 hours ago

  • The Journal

Oceans get their day in the sun at UN summit in French Riviera

PROTECTING THE RICH undersea wildlife in our oceans – like the kind brought to life in David Attenborough's recent 'Ocean' film release – is the focus of an international conference taking place in France this week. Environment activists are watching to see whether countries will use the UN Ocean Conference as a platform to ratify the High Seas Treaty – a legal framework to protect biodiversity that is only open to signatures from states for a few more months. Ireland signed the treaty in 2023 when it was introduced but has not yet ratified it – that is, agreed to be bound by it internationally. A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed to The Journal that Ireland intends to ratify it later this year pending an EU Directive. Taoiseach Michéal Martin is representing the Irish government at the conference, where a political declaration that has been drafted for countries to consider will focus on ocean conservation and using oceans for economic activities in ways that are sustainable. Advertisement It aims to put countries on track to comply with a 2022 agreement that set a target of protecting at least 30% of the world's marine ecosystems by 2030. New polling by Red C for campaign group Fair Seas last week found 72% of people agree the Irish government needs to do more to show leadership on ocean environmental issues, while 82% said a healthy marine environment is essential for Ireland's long-term food security. French President Emmanuel Macron, who is pushing to reach the necessary threshold of 60 countries ratifying the High Seas Treaty to bring it into force, said in the lead-up to the conference in the French Riviera that the world's future 'depends on protecting our oceans'. The UN Ocean conference meets only once every three years and it's hoped that the gathering of leaders this week will lead to countries pledging funding for measures to protect the oceans. Ahead of the conference, the European Commission revealed a new 'Ocean Pact' on Thursday. It includes measures like fighting illegal fishing, restoring degraded coastal marine habitats, and supporting coastal and island communities. Tom Pickerell of the World Resources Institute's Ocean Program said the pact 'rightly places the ocean at the heart of Europe's environmental, economic, and geopolitical future' and that its 'push for ocean innovation, from offshore renewables and blue biotech to circular economy solutions and zero-carbon shipping, marks real progress toward a sustainable blue economy'. Related Reads Ireland just had its warmest spring in at least 126 years Storm warning: Extreme wind is now 'priority' climate risk for Ireland However, he cautioned that 'bold words must be backed by results' and that 'many commitments lack clear timelines, targets and accountability'. 'As leaders meet in Nice next week for the UN Ocean Conference, this is a vital moment for countries to restore the ocean's health,' Pickerell said. 'Governments must ratify the High Seas Treaty, protect 30% of the ocean by 2030 and back efforts to manage all national waters sustainably.' Oceans are under mounting pressure from climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. Oceans absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, helping to contain some emissions that would otherwise contribute to global warming, but increasing volumes of these emissions are raising acidification levels in the water, threatening marine life. Economic activities linked to oceans are worth an estimated $2.5 trillion globally but the impacts of climate change on marine life are a threat to the sectors that rely on the blue economy. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal

Irish TV tax break gets green light from Europe
Irish TV tax break gets green light from Europe

Irish Independent

time7 hours ago

  • Irish Independent

Irish TV tax break gets green light from Europe

RTÉ could be a major beneficiary of the €211m scheme, with The Late Late Show among the programmes that should qualify. The commission examined the plan, announced by minister Jack Chambers in last year's Budget, under EU state-aid rules. The aim is to promote the production of unscripted audiovisual programmes with either Irish or European cultural content. The measure will be introduced for a four-year period, backdated to last December and running until December 31, 2028. The aid is in the form of a tax credit of up to 20pc of the production expenditure that happens in Ireland. The maximum support cannot cover more than 16pc of the total cost of production. To be eligible, a programme must have a minimum cost of €250,000, with half of that being spent in Ireland. A 'cultural test', which will be designed by the Government, will be used to ensure that the unscripted productions 'contribute meaningfully to the promotion and expression of Irish or European culture'. Anthony Muldoon, director of strategic policy at Screen Producers Ireland (SPI), said the tax incentive is a 'transformative' investment for Ireland's creative industry. 'It will empower our producers and creators to develop and produce high-quality programmes that resonate with both domestic and international audiences,' he said. Members of SPI had joined together to campaign for the tax credit, forming an Unscripted Working Group, and had co-operated with the Department of Finance and Revenue, as well as with the Department of Arts and Media. Stuart Switzer, chair of the Unscripted Working Group, said he was thrilled that the European Commission had decided to approve the aid package. 'This is a first in Europe, and a recognition that the creative unscripted sector in Ireland has the potential to emulate the success of our scripted colleagues,' he said. 'The challenge will be to ensure the benefits of the incentive are retained within the independent production sector to build companies of scale.' According to an analysis included in the Tax Strategy Group papers last year, spending on unscripted TV productions could increase from about €90m a year to €300m if a tax credit was introduced. It referred to two similar schemes in Europe, operated by Malta and Cyprus. "If introduced, such a relief could have the potential to support additional employment in the sector and increase demand for studio space,' the report said.

Simon Harris was lobbied by arms industry, FoI records show
Simon Harris was lobbied by arms industry, FoI records show

Irish Examiner

time9 hours ago

  • Irish Examiner

Simon Harris was lobbied by arms industry, FoI records show

A lobby group for some of the world's largest arms companies pushed Simon Harris to establish an arms industry strategy. Records released under Freedom of Information show that the Irish Defence and Security Association (IDSA) wrote to Department of Defence assistant secretary general Eamonn Murtagh seeking to schedule a 'quarterly meeting' in late March. The following week, the group's directors, Catriona Heinl and Pat O'Connor, wrote 'a letter of introduction' to Mr Harris, who had been appointed defence minister in January. Lobbying register disclosures show a meeting was held on April 10 at the Department of Defence with the directors of the association to 'represent IDSA member priorities such as certainty surrounding industrial participation policy and industry strategy aspects'. In the letter, the group said it had a number of priorities which it says arose in light of both Irish and European commitments to increase military spending. The introductory letter says the step-up in national and European defence expenditures, 'will prompt the call for local industrial involvement' and that it 'is critical to shape these foundations at this stage'. 'IDSA has strongly recommended the need to develop the nation's defence industry strategy and thereby determine a defined industrial participation policy in defence procurement [in compliance with national/EU regulation].' IDSA members include Lockheed Martin The lobby group, whose members include the world's largest arms manufacturer Lockheed Martin, told the department it 'can provide essential input, bringing national and European industry experience to relevant consultations'. The letter to Mr Harris goes on to say that 'there is an urgent need for active coordination with relevant ministries/agencies responsible for trade and the economy' and the industry and adds that 'the Government's expected economic benefit to Ireland of these increased national defence spend ambitions does not seem to have been yet provided for'. In March, EU 27 leaders signed off on a move to loosen budget restrictions so that willing EU countries can increase their military spending. They also urged the European Commission to explore new ways 'to facilitate significant defence spending at national level in all member states'. The IDSA letter says 'clarity will be needed on how Ireland will position itself in relation to EU Defence Industrial Strategy where the implications of an evolving but fast moving EU industrial focus for Ireland does not yet seem to be determined'. Harris proposed €3bn military budget Mr Harris told the 'Irish Examiner' in February that, 'over time', Ireland should raise military spending to €3bn a year, the highest level set out by the Commission on the Defence Forces 2022 report. That envisages 12 naval vessels, a squadron of combat aircraft, and the army ranger wing having 'an organic self-sustainment capability which would include dedicated combat helicopter assets'. Mr Harris said then: 'The programme for government talks about reaching what they call level of ambition two by 2028 and that basically gets to the €1.5bn. 'But I think we are going to have to go further than that in time. And the programme for Government does talk about moving towards level of ambition three. What I'm saying to the Irish people is €1.5bn should be seen as the floor and certainly not the ceiling in terms of where defence expenditure needs to get to.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store