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| Europe |
| Ireland on fire: migrant's serious crime sparks unprecedented pogroms |
| 2025-10-27 |
| Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited. by Mikhail Kolovangin [REGNUM] Ireland, long known for its hospitality and openness, is currently experiencing one of the most serious migration crises in its history. The country, which itself was a source of mass emigration in the 20th century, now faces an unprecedented influx of foreigners and asylum seekers. This situation has led to an explosion of public discontent, a series of mass protests, and clashes with police. The latest incident to highlight the problem was the events of October 21, when riots in a Dublin suburb, sparked by the rape of a 10-year-old girl by a migrant, led to the first use of water cannons against demonstrators in Irish history. RECORD INFLUX According to the Irish Central Statistics Office, 149,200 people arrived in the country between April 2023 and April 2024—the highest figure in 17 years. This marks the third consecutive year that migration has exceeded 100,000. Of the total number of arrivals, 30,000 were returning Irish citizens, 27,000 were citizens of other EU countries, 5,400 were British citizens and the remaining 86,800 were from third countries. The latest census, conducted in 2022, recorded significant demographic changes. For the first time since 1851 (the time of the Great Famine), Ireland's population exceeded 5 million. Non-Irish citizens accounted for 12% of the total population—approximately 632,000 people. The largest groups were those of Polish and British descent, followed by citizens of India, Romania, and Lithuania. The situation for asylum seekers is even more dramatic. In 2024, Ireland received a record 18,651 applications for international protection—5,000 more than the previous record. By comparison, between 2008 and 2021, there were only 34,000. The main countries of origin for these applicants were Nigeria, Jordan, Pakistan, Somalia, and Bangladesh. The exact number of undocumented migrants in Ireland is difficult to determine. Estimates put their number at at least 30,000. In 2023, 6,474 people were denied entry at air borders, 252 at sea borders, and 77 at land borders. However, 85 per cent of asylum seekers were not recorded entering through airports or ports, indicating they arrived via the land border with Northern Ireland. MAIN CHANNEL This route has become the primary route for illegal migrant entry. Authorities estimate that more than 80–90 percent of new asylum seekers applying to the Office of International Protection in Dublin arrive via this border, rather than through airports or seaports. The situation is explained by the peculiarities of the Common Travel Area between Ireland and the United Kingdom, which has no passport control along the 500-kilometer-long land border. Approximately 270-300 roads cross this border, some crossing it multiple times. Following Brexit, the UK government introduced stricter immigration rules and many migrants began to move from the UK to Ireland in search of asylum. HOUSING CRISIS AND TENSION The massive influx of migrants coincided with a severe housing crisis, creating a dangerous combination. The government acknowledged its inability to provide housing for all asylum seekers: as of May 2024, 1,780 male applicants remained homeless. Tent camps have sprung up near the International Protection Office, which are regularly dispersed by authorities. As of March 2022, 10,447 people were living in specialized centers for international protection seekers. By September 2025, this figure had grown to 33,000. Living conditions in these emergency centers are often unacceptable and do not meet EU standards. Regarding security, data on the link between migration and crime is contradictory. The Ministry of Justice has stated that there is no credible data confirming a causal link between immigration and crime. However, this connection has strengthened in the public consciousness, especially after a series of high-profile incidents. ARSON AND POGROMS The most significant incident was the Dublin riots of November 23, 2023, the most violent in the city's modern history. They were triggered by an attack by an Algerian man on children outside a school in Parnell Square, injuring three children and a teacher. After rumors about the attacker's nationality spread on social media, far-right activists called on people to take to the streets. By evening that same day, up to 500 protesters had gathered on the streets, throwing firecrackers and bottles at police, setting cars, buses, and trams on fire, and looting stores. Around 60 police officers were injured. The government was forced to deploy approximately 400 law enforcement officers in full riot gear—the largest police deployment in Irish history. Damages were estimated at tens of millions of euros. In July 2024, mass clashes erupted in the Coolock area of ​​north Dublin, where protesters spent several days blockading a former paint factory converted to house 550 asylum seekers. Demonstrators pelted police with stones and firecrackers, set equipment on fire, and attacked security guards. Thirty-four people were arrested. The facility was subsequently set on fire several times. An investigation by the Irish Broadcasting Organization found at least 31 arson attacks on migrant housing facilities between November 2018 and July 2024. Of these, 18 occurred after November 2023, 14 in Dublin alone. Targets included hotels, hostels, monasteries, and former nursing homes. ARABIC TRANSLATOR In the early morning of October 20, a 10-year-old Irish girl in the care of the state child protection agency was raped in the grounds of the Citywest Hotel in Saggart, a western suburb of Dublin. The suspect was a 26-year-old African migrant who needed an Arabic interpreter in court. He arrived in Ireland six years ago, was rejected for international protection in 2024, and was issued a deportation order in March 2025. However, he continued to reside in an asylum seeker center. On the evening of October 21, between 300 and 1,000 people gathered outside the hotel for a peaceful demonstration. The next day, when the suspect was brought to court, the rally escalated into full-scale riots. Around 2,000 protesters, many carrying Irish flags and anti-immigration banners, pelted police with stones, firecrackers and glass bottles, and a police van was set on fire. Protesters attempted to break through to the hotel using horse-drawn carts, some armed with garden forks and tools. For the first time in Irish history, law enforcement used a water cannon to disperse the crowd. Around 300 security forces, including mounted police and canine units, were deployed to restore order. During the two nights of unrest, 30 people were arrested, and two police officers were hospitalized with head and limb injuries. For his part, Prime Minister Michiel Martin stated that there is no justification for violence and thanked the police for their professionalism. Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan condemned those who are exploiting the issue and using the crime as a pretext to sow division in society, promising a very strong response. BETWEEN TRADITION AND REALITY Ireland finds itself at a crossroads, torn between traditions that demand respect for the laws of assistance and hospitality, and the harsh reality of a migration crisis for which the country was unprepared. The unprecedented influx of asylum seekers, coupled with a housing crisis and a series of high-profile crimes committed by migrants, including the October rape, have led to a radicalisation of public opinion. So far, the government has responded by tightening its immigration policy: mass deportations via charter flights have resumed, the number of expulsion orders has tripled, and accelerated application procedures and border controls have been introduced. However, the question remains whether these measures will be able to restore public confidence and prevent further escalation of tensions. |
| Posted by:badanov |
| #3 |
| Posted by: KBK 2025-10-27 18:45 |
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| Posted by: Skidmark 2025-10-27 16:17 |
| #1 |
| Posted by: Mercutio 2025-10-27 09:10 |