Inaccurate public discourse plays major role in 'widespread' misconceptions on immigration in Ireland

The unrest at Citywest last year. The ESRI report found that 'misperceptions predicted more negative attitudes to immigration'. 

Misperceptions about immigration in Ireland are “widespread and systematically biased”, as many with negative feelings believe it is happening on a larger scale than it actually is, a new study has found.

Furthermore, factual inaccuracies by public figures about migrants may “distort democratic debate”, increase public vulnerability to misinformation and worsen tensions, according to research published on Thursday.