Latest news with #Steenson
Irish Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Daily Mirror
Tense scenes as Paul Gogarty rows with Gavin Pepper and Malachy Steenson
Independent TD Paul Gogarty was confronted by independent councillors Gavin Pepper and Malachy Steenson at a protest by residents over the Government's purchase of the Citywest Hotel in Dublin. Local residents distanced themselves from Mr Pepper and Mr Steenson, but stated Deputy Gogarty made a mistake by telling protestors he had "no truck" with racism or the far right. Cabinet heard last month that Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan will present proposals to purchase the Citywest site. It is currently being used to house asylum seekers and Ukrainian refugees. Mr Gogarty addressed the crowd and started with what he called a "preamble", stating that he would "not be associated" with elements he considered to be racist or far right. Mr Steenson and Mr Pepper, who are both Dublin City councillors, objected to Mr Gogarty's remarks. Several members of the crowd also objected. As Mr Steenson and Mr Pepper approached Deputy Gogarty, the Dublin Mid-West TD said: "Go back to where you came from. I'm talking to the people of Saggart. "I don't want any far right here." Cllr Pepper responded: "You're a disgrace." A member of the crowd moved Mr Steenson away from Mr Gogarty but he later re-approached him and asked, "Who are you calling far right?" Mr Gogarty told the crowd: "The reason I came here is because all of you are peaceful individuals who have a right to make a point. "I support you fully in making your point. I'm looking at these signs, which say, 'Public consultation'. "In that context, I am happy to support the residents of Saggart without having any truck with the other people." One local resident from Saggart told Deputy Gogarty that they did not need a "lecture on racism". Mr Steenson later spoke to Mr Gogarty and said, "You called us far right and racist. "No truck with what? What are you having no truck with, Paul?" Speaking to reporters, Deputy Gogarty stated the local residents had told him that if there was anything "untoward", the protest would be cancelled. He continued: "The issue is that certain groupings who aren't associated with the protestors tend to hang around the fringes." Deputy Gogarty stressed that he had "no truck with any racist comments." He continued: "Some of the usual suspects started shouting me down. I wasn't allowed finish my preamble. I don't condone any form of abuse or racism of any nature." Mr Gogarty admitted that it "might be his fault" if residents believed he was calling them racist, insisting that he supports their calls for proper consultation about the purchase of Citywest Hotel. Speaking on behalf of the group, Bernie Cronin, a former Fine Gael member and a current member of Independent Ireland, said they were concerned about the "luxury hotel" no longer being available to locals. He also expressed concerns about outside parties trying to "hijack" the protest, saying they "don't help us". Susan Murphy, a resident of Saggart for 66 years, said it is "not a question about race, it's about space". The group said that Mr Gogarty made a "mistake" by speaking about racism. Cllr Pepper accused Deputy Gogarty of "putting people down and trying to call them racist and far right, as usual". He added: "I think it's unfair for me to be called far right and an agitator. It's classism and it punches down on people that want to speak out."
Irish Times
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Anti-immigration protest marking Easter Rising gathers in Dublin
Thousands of people have taken part in an anti-immigration rally in Dublin city centre on Saturday, alongside a smaller counter-demonstration. Both passed off without any major incidents with gardaí acting as a cordon between both groups on O'Connell Street . The anti-immigration protest, described by organisers as an Easter Rising commemoration to pay respect to 'those who fought and gave their lives to preserve the Irish nation and create the Irish Republic' began at 2pm at the Garden of Remembrance on Parnell Square. United Against Racism, supported by a number of organisations and members of Opposition parties including Sinn Féin , Labour , People Before Profit , the Social Democrats , the Socialist Party and the Green Party , hosted a counter-protest at the nearby GPO at 1.30pm. READ MORE A large number of gardaí were present throughout the afternoon, including the Garda Public Order Unit, Air Support Unit and Mounted Support Unit. The anti-immigration protest saw those gathered carrying Tricolour flags, wearing green 'Make Ireland Great Again' caps and shouting slogans including 'get them out' and 'Sinn Féin are traitors'. Some carried signs which stated 'Irish Lives Matter', with copies of the 1916 Proclamation handed out. There were some hostile and aggressive interactions between protestors as the anti-immigration rally passed by the anti-racism demonstration at the GPO. The United Against Racism demonstration saw those gathered carry signs reading 'Stand Against Racism' while chanting 'refugees are welcome' and 'whose streets - our streets'. The anti-immigration protest travelled down to Custom House Quay with speakers including Dublin City councillors Malachy Steenson, Gavin Pepper and Philip Sutcliffe and Fingal councillor Patrick Quinlan. Protesters on O'Connell Street in Dublin during the rally. Photograph: Conor O Mearain/PA Wire Anti-immigration activists including Hermann Kelly from the Irish Freedom Party and Philip Dwyer were also present. Cllr Steenson spoke of 'really exciting times' and how 'we have moved this project on hugely'. He said Independent councillors such as himself and cllrs Pepper and Sutcliffe, who won seats on Dublin City Council last year, were using them to 'push forward our message that this country should be run by its people for its people'. Cllr Steenson also said the biggest day of the year had been 'St Patrick's Day in the White House'. 'It doesn't matter who the messenger is - it's the message,' he said. 'That message was brought very clearly to Irish-Americans… We are now calling out to our friends and family in America and throughout the world - look at what is happening here. Sixteen million follow Tucker Carlson , 10 million follow Conor McGregor , that is a huge reach that we couldn't get without those two people.' Gardaí on duty near the GPO near the counter-demonstration which gathered to oppose racism. Photograph: Conor O Mearain/PA Wire Cllr Pepper said Irish people 'come first in our own country' and that it was 'time for mass deportation'. He said people were gathered because they were 'sick of the Government treating us like crap' and that 'people can't get by in this country' struggling with bills, rent and mortgage payments. 'We've had enough of it and the people in Leinster House are just not listening,' he said. 'We're bringing in thousands and thousands of people and putting them up in hotels while our own people are being left to rot. We have over 15,500 people in emergency accommodation, they come first.' [ Power struggles, resignations and Conor McGregor's toxicity: The fracturing of Ireland's far right Opens in new window ] He added that those present needed to ensure their children were registered to vote and that 'we don't need big posh people to come and represent the working class'. Cllr Pepper also claimed that politicians in Leinster House 'don't care about you' and to 'call them out on the street when you see them'. Cllr Sutcliffe said those gathered were 'getting put down day by day by the people put in to represent us'. 'The Government does not represent the people of Ireland… Let it be heard - up the Irish,' he said. Protesters in tricolour balaclavas join the march. Photograph: Conor O Mearain/PA Wire Former MMA fighter McGregor posted a video of himself and his family at the Garden of Remembrance ahead of the anti-immigration protest. In a post on X, McGregor said it was 'a big day here for our country' and that the rally was to commemorate 'the valiant heroes who went before us' . He said the protest was also to 'shine our light on the failure of Ireland's Government and our full disapproval of it'. Why is Ireland's far right movement so divided? Listen | 19:50
