Dublin: Thousands of people took to the streets of Dublin over the weekend in a major demonstration organised by the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC), calling for stronger action from the Irish government over Israel’s actions in Gaza.
An estimated 10,000 people participated in the rally, which included representatives from trade unions, political parties, church groups, and refugee communities. Among the political parties present were Labour, the Social Democrats, Sinn Féin, and People Before Profit. Notably, hundreds of participants were residents of refugee centres, adding a powerful voice to the march.
The demonstration, which moved through central Dublin toward Leinster House, featured a broad coalition of support. Participants carried banners and signs expressing solidarity with Palestinians and condemning the Israeli government’s actions. Ecumenical Christian groups such as the Methodist Church, Church of Scotland, Baptist Union, Christian Aid/CAFOD, United Reformed Church, Episcopal Church, Iona Community, Church Mission Society, and Pax Christi also joined the rally.
Speakers at the event included two survivors of Israeli attacks in Gaza—Mara Nijim and Mohammed Migdad—alongside Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon, Irish Traveller Movement director Bernard Joyce, and Conor O’Neill, a leading advocate for the Occupied Territories Bill.
Demonstrators chanted slogans including “Ban trade with Israel” and “No more genocide bonds,” calling on the Central Bank of Ireland to cease facilitating the sale of Israeli government bonds. According to organisers, it took over 15 minutes for the march to pass a single point on Capel Street due to the size of the crowd.
The rally aimed to protest what organisers described as the Irish government’s failure to hold Israel accountable for the deaths of over 58,000 Palestinians. The IPSC also called for the immediate passage of the Occupied Territories Bill, a ban on the use of Irish airspace for arms shipments, and sanctions on Israel.
Bail Granted to Man Accused in Refugee Centre Attack
In a related development, a 34-year-old man accused of a violent incident at a refugee centre was granted bail under strict conditions. Declan Stubbs, a plumber from Balbrook Drive, is charged with causing damage and assault during an alcohol-fuelled attack at the IPS Centre on High Street, known as St. John’s House.
Stubbs allegedly broke into the centre while intoxicated, damaged property worth €1,000, and assaulted a security guard. He also faces charges of threatening and abusive behaviour toward residents.
Garda Gavin Cribbin opposed bail, citing concerns over Stubbs’ extremist political views and anti-immigration stance, warning that he could pose an ongoing threat to centre staff and residents. The defence argued that Stubbs, a full-time employee and father of one, struggles with alcohol addiction and has no prior serious convictions.
Judge Catherine Gahan granted conditional bail, barring Stubbs from coming within three kilometres of the IPS Centre except when signing at the local Garda station three times a week. He must also provide Gardaí with his phone number, refrain from posting or engaging with hate-related content on social media, and avoid participating in any rallies or demonstrations promoting hatred or violence.
Judge Gahan warned that any breach of the bail conditions would carry serious consequences and emphasised that all individuals, regardless of background, have the right to live safely.
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