Niall Boylan’s deep, raspy and assertive voice is the first thing one notices about him. Known by many from his radio gigs, he’s often found engaging with the masses while lobbying for votes for the upcoming European Parliament polls. “For three decades, I’ve been voicing out the unpopular opinions on my radio show,” he shares. There is hardly a pause in his discourse.
James, a local in his 60s from Inchicore, jokes that Boylan could chatter a wall’s wallpaper off, after pausing for a chat with him.
Besides his voice, Boylan’s physical appearance is distinctive. Slim, bespectacled, sporting a mildly crumpled suit and thick grey hair, Boylan swiftly moves from one location to another, pushed by adrenaline, incessant chatter, occasional energy drinks and cigarette breaks.
However, what makes Boylan truly distinctive is his standpoint. As an independent candidate from Dublin, his perspective draws the attention of the noon crowd at the bustling Square shopping centre in Tallaght, a suburb of southwest Dublin.
“His stance on migration resonates with me. He seems to be the only one speaking logically,” comments James from Inchicore.
He isn’t the only one echoing such sentiments. In just over an hour at the packed shopping centre, a significant number of individuals flock around Boylan, sharing similar views. He seems to be garnering a growing crowd of supporters who are against further immigration into Ireland.
“I have lost faith in the Government, Sinn Féin, Soc Dems, or Labour. I am skeptical if any of them are truly willing to reform the system,” points out Boylan.
Boylan’s perspective is that immigration law should be upheld vigilantly and fairly. He believes aid should be offered to refugees escaping war, persecution, or direct threats to their life. Economic migration for personal gain, however, should warrant deportation, he posits. He proposes implementing a border in the Irish Sea through negotiation with Northern Ireland and establishing processing centres at each airport and seaport in Ireland, both north and south. He is additionally advocating for the expansion of the list of government-approved ‘safe’ countries, a classification which expedites asylum seekers’ cases, typically within 90 days.
Boylan laments the extensive wait times that some asylum seekers face, sometimes spanning up to 12 years, describing them as absurd. He believes those hailing from safe countries should not hold the right to appeal.
Boylan himself has a unique backstory. After being born in a mother-baby home, he was adopted at half a year old and raised in a council estate in Edenmore, Raheny, situated in north Dublin. His childhood was marked by bullying in school due to suffering from alopecia. Prior to entering the radio industry, he was employed selling shoes.
His radio career took off when he joined the Chris Barry Show on 98FM as a street reporter. Barry was the original ‘shock jock’, breaking the silence on taboo topics during a late-night call-in program. Before long, Boylan hosted his own show which has been on air for over 25 years, most recently airing on Classic Hits FM.
Often, Boylan finds himself the target during radio debates between Dublin candidates, although he shrugs this off, accustomed to handling aggressive callers over the years on his show. A past filled with hardship, including a period of homelessness lasting two years following the end of his first marriage, during which time he continued to work, has influenced his tenacity.
He remarried and frequently has his wife Karen accompanying him on the campaign path. His popularity increased during the Covid pandemic, when he voiced opposition to the extended lockdowns. Although not against vaccinations, he stresses that vaccine uptake should be a personal choice. Boylan insists that children should receive standard childhood vaccinations while also respecting the choice of people who chose not to get vaccinated during the Covid outbreak.
While campaigning in Tallaght, his discourse centres around the apparent estrangement between the governing bodies and the populace. Without explicitly mentioning a specific party, it’s conspicuous that numerous people grapple with issues related to Sinn Féin.
Jackie, a Tallaght-based grandmother and former Sinn Féin advocate, suggests she’ll cast her vote in favour of Boylan. She voices concerns about Ireland losing its essence and the influx of ‘unvetted and undocumented’ individuals.
Clarifying she’s neither right-leaning nor xenophobic, Jackie asserts her acceptance of newcomers who are willing to contribute to the workforce. However, she takes issue with the expectation of adjusting one’s own cultural norms to accommodate those of immigrants. She mentions the large number of men, who subsequently bring along their families, entering Ireland.
During a discussion with Boylan, who frequently appears on The Tonight Show aired on Virgin Media TV, a 50-year-old man offers commendations about his television appearances. He declares his vote for Boylan, citing his stance on prioritising Irish citizens over refugees for housing allocations regardless of the quantity. He laments England-born immigrants financially benefiting from the situation.
In response, Boylan concurs, describing the entire immigration process as a disorganised mess.
Michael, a man in his 70s from west Mayo having spent numerous years in Tallaght, who traditionally supports Fianna Fáil, expresses he might vote for Boylan. Without being xenophobic, he communicates his unease about the increasing number of people coming to work in Ireland.
However, Paddy Sharkey from Killybegs in Co Donegal, following a conversation with Boylan, clearly disagrees with his views. Sharkey later comments about all political parties’ambiguous stance, failing to distinguish between different types of migration. He criticises the current strategy as being haphazard and neglects the nuances of the plethora of immigration scenarios.
Sharkey isn’t particularly fond of Sinn Féin. However, he criticises the Government for rejoicing over Sinn Féin’s decreasing popularity and the shifting of working-class voters toward more radical factions, calling the situation dreadful.
Gareth, a Tallaght resident, previously voted for Labour’s Pat Rabbitte and Sinn Féin’s Seán Crowe. However, he thinks that all the distinguished parties appear similar and it’s time for a change.
Boylan classifies himself as moderately conservative, upholding traditional values. However, he is also progressive in some respects, such as his endorsement of equal marriage rights. Questioned about his prior use of the term “nefarious” during a recent interview to discuss international protection applications, Boylan doesn’t shy away from repeating the word. Critics accused him of employing veiled inflammatory rhetoric.
He asserts, “Indeed, there are dubious individuals entering the country.” He challenges the naïve view that everyone entering is benevolent, terming it as absurd. Although he acknowledges that the majority may be honourable and respectable individuals, he also warns against those who could present a danger or potentially engage in criminal activities.
Boylan is not opposed to immigration per se. He contends that a certain level is beneficial, but he believes the current volume is excessive and has particular concerns about the placement of asylum seekers in the working-class districts. He strongly stresses the Irish Government has a clear duty to secure the borders and safeguard its citizens.