British far-right activist lends support to Limerick protest

BRITISH far-right activist Tommy Robinson has lent his support to a protest against a plan for 340 refugees to be accommodated at River House on Charlotte’s Quay in the city.

Hundreds gathered on Saturday outside the former home to the Revenue Commissioners. It was organised by a group called Limerick Says No. 

Mr Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley Lennon, shared a video taken at the Limerick protest with his over 670,000 followers on X (formerly Twitter). The clip had been viewed over 60,000 times this Sunday.

Attendees marched to City Hall while chanting “Limerick says no” and “Whose streets? Our streets”. The “Olé Olé Olé” chant was also heard ring out.

One banner quoted Republican hunger strike Bobby Sands, who died in prison in 1981, “Our revenge will be the laughter of our children”. A number of speakers addressed the crowd once they had reached Merchant’s Quay.

Gardai were a visible presence during the peaceful event.

READ MORE: Bishop Eamonn Casey's 'Buried Secrets' in Limerick to be revealed

The Government has issued a briefing note to public representatives confirming that River House is being looked at.

“An experienced and trusted accommodation provider has expressed an interest in the delivery of accommodation services to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and the provider is now carrying out works at the site with the view to providing accommodation to people seeking international protection,” the note reads.

It continued: “It is estimated at this early stage that in the region of 340 people may be housed there, initially on a phased basis.”

Melanie Cleary, who is standing in the next General Election for the Mid-West Hospital Campaign, has backed Doras CEO John Lannon’s appeal for people to avoid protests targeting refugees or migrants.

“Many people who have successfully applied for asylum in the past – whether that’s because they are fleeing persecution because of their sexuality, religion, or gender or because of the political situation in their country – have made Limerick their home. We know that some of those now work to keep our chronically under-resourced health service afloat. 

“Which brings me to the important point. The unfolding social crisis in health and housing are no excuse to protest against refugees. By singling out the most vulnerable you are letting the Government off the hook. It is the Government and the government alone who are responsible for the disgraceful undermining of our public services. 

“I, as much as anyone, knows how this costs lives,” said Melanie, whose daughter Eve died in 2019 hours after she was discharged from UHL. 

“You will not build one single home by denying shelter to another person. You will distract from the campaigns, like the Mid-West Hospital Campaign, which is fighting for the supply of more services by instead trying to reduce demand,” she said.

Just up the street from Saturday’s protest a celebration of immigration culture - Brazil Day - was taking place in the Hunt Museum. It was attended by the Honorary Consul of Brazil, Letíca Bastos.