Ireland: After the riots in Dublin, minority communities express their concern

Three days after unprecedented riots took place in the streets of the Irish capital in response to a stabbing attack outside a school, minority communities in Dublin are expressing their concern. Many immigrants are plagued by fear.

By: RFI Follow

With our correspondent in Dublin, Clémence Pénard

On Thursday, a stabbing occurred outside a school. Five people were injured, including three young children. Shortly afterwards, in the evening, violent clashes, blamed on the far right, broke out, all against a backdrop of rumours spread about the nationality of the attacker, presented as Algerian.

Since then, some have been afraid. This is the case of Karthik, an Indian and a Muslim. The rioters stole his cash register, after smashing the windows of his store. "I think if you don't look like a white person, an Irishman, then anyone can be targeted. So, yes, right now, I'm scared. But when you come to a foreign country, you have to work, so we have no choice but not to come to work," he said.

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There are a lot of police officers here, so it gives us a little bit of hope that nothing is going to happen," Karthik said. When I came here, I felt like Ireland was my own country. Those were the good times! But now I realize that we are not part of the country, we just live here. In fact, they tell us that we don't belong here.

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Brazilian immigrants, who are very numerous in Dublin, share the same feeling of anxiety. Maria arrived in Ireland six years ago. "I really don't feel safe," she says. I don't want to go downtown alone anymore. For a lot of racists, it was an open door. Now they just have some sort of pass to do whatever they want. The violence of the riots surprised me, but I think we felt it coming. People were really furious. With the arrival of Ukrainian refugees, the housing crisis has worsened. That's terrible.

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Since Thursday, more than 50 rioters have already appeared in court on charges of disturbing public order.

Violence in Dublin: "We know that there is a far-right faction operating in Ireland"


Irish Campaign Against The Dangerous Acts Of Immigrants In Ireland


By: BNN Correspondents
Published: November 25, 2023 


The streets of Dublin witnessed an unsettling spectacle of violence and chaos as anti-immigrant sentiments fueled a riot, triggered by an incident involving two foreigners. A tragic stabbing attack on three children and a woman, speculated to have been perpetrated by a foreigner, ignited the flame of unrest, leading to over 30 arrests.

The incident, shrouded in hearsay and speculation, stirred a wave of anti-immigrant sentiment across the city. The ensuing violence, characterized by looting, vandalism, and disruption of public transport, reflected a rising tension over immigration in Ireland. As rumors circulated about the assailant’s foreign origin, the city’s quiet murmurs of discontent evolved into a loud outcry, culminating in the chaotic scenes that unfolded.

In the aftermath of the upheaval, Ireland’s Prime Minister condemned the protesters, accusing them of seeking to sow chaos rather than protect the country’s way of life. The incident has become a flashpoint in the ongoing debate about immigration, with political leaders attributing the unrest to far-right agitators capitalizing on the situation to stoke xenophobia. The riots have underscored the societal strain caused by the issue of immigration and the potential for manipulation by radical elements.

The Human Experience Amidst the Chaos

Beyond the political skirmishes and societal tensions, the riots have had a palpable impact on the lives of immigrants in Dublin. One immigrant recounted the night of terror, with the chaos and violence raising significant safety concerns for those wishing to settle in the country.

The actions of the two foreigners, whose identities and nationalities remain undisclosed, have elicited a mix of admiration and rejection, reflecting the complex dynamics and polarized views on immigration in Irish society.

The Dublin riots serve as a stark reminder of the volatile nature of social dynamics and the profound impact individual actions can have on public perception. While the dust settles on the streets of Dublin, the incident leaves behind questions about the future of immigration and societal integration in Ireland, with the need for dialogue and understanding more crucial than ever.