Far-right rally sparks violence and political controversy
Dublin: A rally led by far-right figure Justin Barrett, former leader of the National Party and now head of a new group called Clann Éireann, descended into violence on Saturday after one of his supporters was attacked in the city. The incident has since been politicised by Barrett’s movement, which attempted to draw comparisons with the recent shooting of U.S. political activist Charlie Kirk.
Barrett, who addressed a small gathering near St. Patrick’s Cathedral under a banner reading “Be Nationalist, Face Extinction”, delivered a speech laced with anti-immigrant rhetoric. He claimed immigrants posed a constant threat to Ireland and insisted that “the time for moderation is over.” He cited historical examples, including Irish revolutionary leader Pádraig Pearse, to frame his call for “radical change”.
Following the rally, one of Barrett’s supporters was assaulted while returning home. Footage of the attack—showing the victim being punched and kicked—was circulated widely on social media by accounts linked to Antifa. Barrett himself later reposted the video, using it to demand that the Irish government ban Antifa, echoing U.S. President Donald Trump’s pledge to designate the group a terrorist organisation after Kirk’s killing.
Barrett, who has faced long-standing criticism for his admiration of Adolf Hitler, told supporters, “If we don’t embrace radical change, we will become the Charlie Kirks of this world. Our goal is to fight for our country until we die.”
Meanwhile, divisions within Ireland’s far-right movement remain evident. Irish Freedom Party leader Michael Leahy recently refused to share a platform with Barrett at an anti-immigration rally in Cork, underscoring the rivalry between hardline nationalist factions.
Irish Samachar English News
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