Over a thousand individuals held a demonstration adjacent to an unused warehouse in Coolock, Dublin’s northern region on a Sunday evening, in reaction to indications that it may be used to accommodate as many as 500 refugees. Following days of dissent, the Department of Integration announced on Friday that they were contemplating using the old Crown Paints warehouse on Malahide Road as a living centre for individuals seeking international protection.
Prior to the demonstration on Sunday, protestors carrying the national flag and signs massed at the warehouse’s entrance. The escalating crowd eliciting beeps of support from passing vehicles, including a Dublin Bus, on the bustling street, which garnered cheers from the protestors.
Shortly past 5:20pm, the protesters embarked onto Malahide Road, marching towards the intersection with Greencastle Road, before turning around and directing towards Malahide Road Industrial Park.
The demonstration, with slogans such as “Harris, Harris, Harris, Out, Out, Out” and “Whose streets? Our streets”, saw attendance from all age groups, from children in pushchairs to the elderly, either participating or observing from pavements. Some protesters even held signs highlighting opposition to other potential refugee accommodations nationwide.
Upon reaching the O’Tooles GAA club roundabout, the march doubled back to the former Crown Paints site. A woman, who looked to be the protest’s lead, sought the crowd’s help in ensuring a constant presence at the site, from the warehouse entrance. She emphasised their unified concerns about the prospective transformation of Ireland and their objection to housing single males in the building, urging everyone’s participation to halt further development work on it.
In the previous week, the erstwhile warehouse saw continuous gatherings of a handful of demonstrators in response to an alleged email from the Department of Integration. The email outlined accommodation proposals for asylum seekers residing locally.
Malachy Steenson, a noted activist and leader of anti-immigration rallies in East Wall during 2022’s final quarter, addressed the gathered protestors. Several recognisable figures from the anti-immigration scene also joined the protest.
After the speeches, a section of the group marched towards the Garda station in Coolock. By 7pm, the crowd started to thin out, but a few remained stationed at the entrance to the facility, with a tent, a burning fire, and plastic chairs arranged for use. The entrance gate bore tricolour flags.
Throughout the evening, uniformed gardai kept up a presence during the protest, with the assistance of the Public Order Unit. Traffic was diverted strategically to accommodate the protest march.
A statement from Garda Press Office on Sunday evening confirmed that the protest wrapped up without any problems. Midweek, the protests caused considerable traffic congestion on the Malahide Road as a portion of it was closed off by protestors, including some horsemen.
The Department of Integration was reached out to for a comment. On Friday, it revealed in its statement that if the location was designated for international protection applicants, it would be gradually populated with families, couples, both single men and women.
In a statement, it was mentioned, “A provider for accommodation, known for their trust and experience, has demonstrated an interest in managing the accommodation and the requisite security services under the given proposal. More details and comprehensive engagement with public leaders and the community shall be arranged in the near future.”