Gardaí raise concerns over far-right anti-immigrant patrol groups ahead of nationalist events
Conor McGregor has offered to host a trad session in his pub following the planned far-right day of action.
Gardaí have described self-styled anti-immigrant "patrol" groups as "a cause of concern" ahead of a series of planned nationalist events this weekend.
A number of groups have begun "patrols" in towns across Ireland in the last 18 months, largely linked to far-right anti-immigrant movements. Gardaí have warned only they have a statutory role in public order.
Far-right nationalist groups have organised a day of action this weekend, with former MMA fighter Conor McGregor offering on social media to host a trad session in his Dublin pub afterwards.
A key figure in of one the groups — Sinne Na Daoine's Anthony Casey — was one of a number of far-right activists pictured at Mr McGregor's venue last week alongside American broadcaster Tucker Carlson, who had interviewed the former fighter. McGregor was last year was found civilly liable in a High Court damages case in Dublin taken by a woman who accused him of rape.
Sinne Na Daoine has in recent months carried out "patrols" in Limerick City and Clonmel, and is continuing to organise on social media.
At the formation of the group, Mr Casey said "deterrence" was needed in Irish towns. He recently became president of the Ireland First group, former political home of anti-immigration activist Derek Blighe.
Mr Casey had been a candidate in last year's local elections for the Irish Freedom Party, whose leader Hermann Kelly has described Sinne Na Daoine as a "vigilante group".
However, gardaí said they were concerned that "even with the best of intentions, there is potential for confrontation between such volunteer safety patrols groups and other persons, confrontations which could result in harm to any person present".
Additionally, they warned there were "legal concerns surrounding their activities, which may also have implications for future criminal proceedings".
A Garda spokesperson said: "It is An Garda Síochána's statutory role to investigate crime and enforce enacted legislation, ensuring that every citizen is afforded their constitutional right to innocence until proven guilty and a human rights-based criminal investigation.
"An Garda Síochána urges anyone with information regarding breaches of criminal law to report it directly to us, where it will be investigated professionally and thoroughly."
It said the force was "acutely aware of the significant volume of misinformation, disinformation and fake news in circulation in relation to public safety".
"The actions of certain private groups are a cause for concern for An Garda Síochána and other police services," it added.
Another individual at Mr McGregor's event, Kildare councillor Tom McDonnell, defended his attendance where he presented Mr McGregor with a bottle of holy water and a copy of the Irish constitution.
He told KFM Mr McGregor "has a direct line" to the White House and Mr McGregor is "the only one who can save Ireland".
Mr McDonnell told the station Ireland was "in a crisis" and Mr McGregor had brought this to the attention of Donald Trump, who would now "assist Ireland", but did not expand on what that assistance might be.
He said he would "stand with Conor McGregor" and suggested the civil case taken against Mr McGregor was "probably backed by the Government".
Meanwhile, last weekend, the Freemasons of Ireland said it was a "mistake" to allow an interview between Mr McGregor and Mr Carlson to take place at its Dublin premises.
During the interview, Mr McGregor criticised the Government, which he claimed was responsible for the "erasure of Irish culture" and "mass" immigration and also admitted his presidential ambitions may not get off the ground.
A representative for Mr McGregor who had previously contacted the on his behalf, did not respond to a query as to whether Mr McGregor was a member of, or funding, any far-right groups.
