Séamas O'Reilly: I think anti-racists are right to be on high alert

I’m less concerned with why Garron Noone said what he said, than with whether it’s true or not

Much more striking than the critiques Garron Noone received, were the far-right grifters applauding him for his bravery. Picture: Andres Poveda

Garron Noone is a comedian who mostly plies his trade on video-forward social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram. He has a large following due to his affable persona, and a sense that he seems like a decent skin. Taken altogether, he has a following of around three million. Comparing digital audiences to traditional ones is a mug’s game — he has many international followers, and there’s no reason to suggest that every follower watches every video he puts out — but, to put that number into context, Ireland’s most watched TV programme in 2024, The Late Late Toy Show, was watched by 1.5 million people. By any definition, the size of his audience makes him a significant media personality, even if your auntie Pauline couldn’t name him. Until a few days ago, that is.

Last week, Noone made a video in response to Conor McGregor’s appearance at the White House, in which McGregor took aim at Ireland’s immigration system. In response, Noone said he didn’t believe McGregor was a good person, but added “there absolutely is an immigration issue in Ireland. That doesn’t mean that people feel like we shouldn’t take the refugees that we’re able to take. It doesn’t mean that people feel like people shouldn’t be able to come here for better opportunities. But the systems that we have in place are being taken advantage of and that is plain to see, and the Government continually does not allow people to express their concerns about that.”