In recent days, an abandoned paint factory in North Dublin has become the latest focal point of the immigrant issue in Ireland. Within a week of July 16th, clashes between locals unhappy with using the factory as a refugee reception center and the police have occurred multiple times, resulting in the arrest of 21 protesters. The factory has caught fire five times. The Irish Prime Minister and Minister of Justice have released statements condemning the protesters’ use of violence.
On July 19th, thousands of protesters gathered for a march in front of the factory. The organizers of the march emphasized in a statement that the event was a “peaceful protest”, and they planned to submit a formal complaint letter to the police after the march, protesting against the “violent actions of the police” and the “lack of dialogue with the residents of Coolock”.
Coolock community is located in the north of Dublin. In March, the government announced plans to rent the local abandoned paint factory to accommodate 500 asylum seekers, which was strongly opposed by some local residents. They not only held large-scale marches but also set up tents and small huts outside the factory, protesting around the clock at the entrance.
For over three months, the protests were mostly peaceful. However, tensions escalated rapidly on the 15th when contractors arrived at the factory escorted by the police. Clashes erupted between the police and protesters, with excavators and police cars set on fire, culminating in the arrest of 21 protesters.
According to RTE, the Irish national broadcaster, on the day of the march, the police deployed 50 officers and a helicopter.
Protesters waved Irish flags, held signs saying “Irish Lives Matter” and “Community says no to authoritarian rule”. Some passing drivers honked in support. Protesters also held a rally outside the factory, with speakers including local councilor Malachy Steenson delivering speeches.
Hours later, the situation became tense again. Protesters threw stones, glass bottles, and other items at the police, who used pepper spray to disperse the crowd. The factory once again emitted thick smoke, less than 24 hours after the previous fire.
A police spokesperson stated that three officers were injured in the clashes on the 19th, and one protester was arrested. The incident is currently under further investigation.
Prime Minister Simon Harris said in a speech on the 19th, “I will always support people’s right to protest, but I have to say, what we have seen in the past few days is not that.”
Harris mentioned seeing “a few individuals” attempting to “loot and engage in criminal activities”. He warned that those who “cross the line and participate in violence” would face severe legal consequences.
The leader of the main opposition party Sinn Fein, Mary Lou McDonald, stated in a declaration on July 20th that the violence and destruction at the protests were “unacceptable” and should be condemned. However, she emphasized the need for escalated events to underscore the importance of dialogue with the electorate.
McDonald pointed out that local residents had “no opportunity to raise questions, express concerns, or receive explanations or assurances” when the government decided to use the factory to accommodate refugees.
She highlighted that this issue was not only due to immigration, but also because local services such as education, healthcare, and sanitation facilities had been “severely underfunded”. McDonald called for government departments, institutions, and local community residents to establish “channels of contact for communication and dialogue”.
Coolock is just one of many protest points nationwide against the government’s refugee accommodation plans. In recent years, record numbers of asylum seekers arriving in Ireland have exacerbated existing housing supply issues, particularly in low-income areas like small towns or Coolock.
To accommodate 100,000 Ukrainian refugees and tens of thousands of asylum seekers, the government has rented hotels, office buildings, and factories nationwide. However, the sudden influx of these new faces, especially single adult males, has raised concerns among local residents.
Currently, a large number of refugees continue to pour into Ireland. Despite tightening border policies and adding to the list of safe countries for refugee repatriation, the number of asylum applications in the first six months of this year has doubled compared to the same period last year. Official figures show that as of the end of June, 10,604 people have applied for asylum in Ireland, a 93% increase from the 5,470 people in the same period last year.