International far-right groups taking inspiration from Irish violence against migrants

James Cox

International far-right organisations have taken inspiration from extremist violence against migrants in Ireland, according to an organisation that monitors global far-right movements.

In a report from the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism (Gpahe), seen by BreakingNews.ie, the authors wrote: "The violence against migrants has made Ireland of particular interest to the international far right, who view the unrest and protests as an inspiration or an example of the white rage festering below the surface as they are forced to endure the indignity of living with unwanted migrants. Images from the 2025 unrest, like masked participants charging police lines on horseback, have been spread across far-right Telegram channels in the US, Canada, UK, Australia, and across Europe."

The report warns that althought Ireland's far-right "may be small in both size and power compared to many of its European contemporaries" it "nonetheless occupies a significant position as a place of motivation and inspiration for far-right actors and broader anti-immigration movement".

The report traces the legalisation of same-sex marriage and the abortion referendum, the far-right has been "gaining a foothold" in Ireland.

This was exacerbated by anti-lockdown and Covid-19 conspiracy theories during lockdown restrictions during the pandemic.

The report notes: "Many of Ireland’s far-right groups are influenced by American far-right extremists, as they have imported conspiracy theories about “cultural Marxism” and the white supremacist “Great Replacement” conspiracy theory that were popularized in the US. To date, none of these groups have had any real electoral success, but are active in attempts to stir up hatred and fear in communities."

Gpahe also point to an attempt by far-right parties in Ireland to amalgamate in what they called the 'National Alliance'.

"This has come to include a swath of small political parties that banded together in 2024 in what they called the National Alliance. While this was a strong showing of unity from the country’s typically fragmented far-right that managed to bring together political parties with xenophobic and discriminatory platforms like the National Party, Ireland First, The Irish People, and several independent candidates, the coalition failed to produce a significant turnout at polling stations and eventually fell apart.

"Outside of the ballot box, the subject of immigration has been mobilizing for the far right, as a handful of smaller groups that target immigrants and the LGBTQ+ community have emerged. Many of these groups use the long history of the Irish people and the Catholic Church to provide religious and cultural justifications for targeting immigrant communities. Others invoke the specter of Hitler’s National Socialism to justify their hatred."

The report finds anti-immigrant sentiment has replaced Covid-19 conspiracy theories.

"Under the banner of  'Ireland is full,' and similar xenophobic slogans, protests against immigration began to pick up steam in 2022. By 2023, the temperature in the country around the issue had risen significantly. Combined with a critical housing crisis, these issues have allowed the far right to make more headway into the country."

It makes specific reference to anti-immigrant protests outside Ipas centres that turned violent in places like Ringsend, Ballymun, Finglas and Mullingar.

Gpahe said the adoption of the racist 'Great Replacement' white supremacist theory is prominent among anti-immigrant groups in Ireland, with many rebranding it the 'Great Plantation'.

The report identified a number of far-right anti-immigrant groups active in Ireland including Anti-Corruption Ireland, Brotherhood of the Gaels, Ireland First, the Irish Freedom Party, We the People and Seed of Ireland.

Gpahe co-founder and president Wendy Via said the fact Ireland has overwhelmingly rejected far-right parties in elections should not be "mistaken for immunity".

Ms Via said: "Ireland has long resisted extremist political activity, but that resilience should not be mistaken for immunity. What we are seeing now is a movement that exploits public anxiety, and moments of crisis, to normalize xenophobia and, in some cases, incite violence against vulnerable communities.”