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Irish Daily Mirror
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Irish Daily Mirror
Anti-racism rally and anti-immigration demonstration held in Dublin
An anti-racism rally and an anti-immigration demonstration were held in Dublin city on Sunday. O'Connell Bridge was closed for a time on Sunday afternoon as the Gardai erected extensive barriers to separate the two crowds. The United Against Racism rally began at the Central Plaza on Dame Street, marching through the city to O'Connell Bridge at around 2pm. Several protesters carried signs saying: 'Blame the Government, not migrants'; and: 'Dublin stands against racism'. They also chanted: 'Say it loud, say it clear, refugees are welcome here.' The anti-immigration protest marched down O'Connell Street and turned left at O'Connell bridge before continuing along the quays. Participants from both sides shouted and gestured towards each other from across the empty space between the barriers created by gardai. The anti-immigration group, which was the larger of the two, was thick with large tricolour flags. It chanted 'ole ole' and: 'Whose streets? Our streets'. Several people were seen wearing 'Make Ireland Great Again' green caps and holding US or 'Trump' flags, and some signs critical of RTE. At one point, the famous rebel song 'Oro 'Se do bheatha 'bhaile' was played by the anti-racism rally over a speaker, and prompted some participants in the anti-immigration group to sing along and applaud at the end. There was an extensive Garda presence at the location where the two protest groups were due to cross paths. The Garda Mounted Support Unit, the Public Order Unit, and Garda members from outside the Dublin Metropolitan Region were in attendance. One Garda member was heard telling a member of the public he could not give directions as he was brought in from a region outside Dublin to police the protest. One mother said she and her eight-year-old attended the anti-racism protest as there was an anti-immigration demonstration being held close to her daughter's school. She said the group are camped beside the primary school every day over a nearby International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centre, which has been there since 2022. 'We want to just come down and show our support for all of the people who go to her school who are migrants, or who have migrant parents,' the woman said, who asked that she not be named. 'We want to pass the message over to the other side that this is unacceptable for Ireland today, especially for the youth to have to put up with this type of environment. It's been extremely upsetting for the children and the families.' Councillor Conor Reddy said that communities across Ireland had been divided over the last year and a half and what happened in Ballymena in recent weeks was 'only a few steps away' in Dublin. He said anti-immigration marches would 'further divide our city' and that it was 'about time we put it up to them'. 'We're here to say that we are stronger when we stand together, that hate divides us, hate plays into the hands of Government. We've seen how far hate can take us – when you look at what happened in Ballymena in the north last week, that's only a few steps away here I fear, especially in my community of Ballymun and Finglas where we have seen houses attacked and unfortunately burned before people have gone into them, so we have to draw a line in the sand.' He said the march was acknowledging that there are issues with housing and inequality, but shifting the blame to the Government rather than migrants. 'Migrants, asylum seekers people that own IPAS centres are also multi-property landlords, so the enemy is the same and it's about pointing that out.'
Irish Independent
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Finglas cheerleading team wins world championship title in Florida
Strike Force Cheer, based in New Cross College, Finglas West, Dublin 11, came out on top in the international competition in Florida last week. The school's senior team, known as SL4TE, are now world champions after winning the International Open CoEd Level 4 NT. Teams from all around the world were judged on athleticism, skill, technique and performance quality. Deja Blue, the school's junior team, secured a silver medal in their division. 'Making not only Strike Force history, but Irish Cheer history as the very first Irish team to place first in a competitive division in the US,' they said. 'An absolute pinch me moment! We celebrate 37 athletes, two teams and two world placements to be extremely proud of. 'Deja Blue and SL4TE, it's been an absolute pleasure getting to watch you chase your dreams this season. 'When we started this journey we just wanted to put out good quality cheer and now we're here in the US hitting zeros. This journey has been an absolute dream.' Conor Reddy, People Before Profit Councillor, said: 'A massive congratulations to Strike Force Cheer on bringing a world title home to the area.' Fianna Fáil TD, Paul McAuliffe, added: 'Huge congratulations to everyone in Strike Force. What an amazing achievement to succeed on the world stage. 'I've no doubt it involved endless practice and preparation. In representing Strike Force, they have also represented the entire community of Finglas and we are so proud of them.' Learn more Founded in 2008, the group combines gymnastics, acrobatics and intricate choreography. They pride themselves on being Ireland's leading cheerleading program. 'Our passion for cheerleading and commitment to excellence set us apart,' their website reads. 'Experience the thrill of competitive cheerleading and to be part of a community that supports and encourages each other. 'With Strike Force, you'll gain life lessons that you'll take with you far beyond your years of cheerleading. 'We see our athletes achieve success through gaining confidence, building lifelong friendships, developing a strong work ethic, and understanding that a team is only successful when hard work towards a common goal is achieved.'
