Anti-immigration activist Derek Blighe quits Ireland First party
Derek Blighe ran in the Cork North Central constituency in the November general election. He was eliminated in the seventh count in the general election. File Picture: Brian Lawless/PA
Anti-immigration activist Derek Blighe has resigned from the Ireland First party, saying he wants to “resume other ambitions” and “cannot be involved in party politics at the moment”.
In a post on his social media platforms, Mr Blighe said: “As of today, I have resigned from the Ireland First party (committee and membership). I gave this a huge amount of thought, and the decision did not come easily.”
Mr Blighe, a construction worker from Mitchelstown, Co Cork, said that the past few years have taken a large toll on both his family and work life, adding: “I must take this step now to focus on those closest to me and work on some new exciting ventures.
Mr Blighe had served as president of the far-right party, which was founded in 2023.
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He said, however, that the decision will not “impact on any future elections I may decide to run in, but I cannot be involved in party politics at the moment”.
He ran in both the local and European elections last June, and also ran in the Cork North Central constituency in the November general election. He was eliminated in the seventh count in the latter.
While he failed to get elected, he said in his announcement on Sunday that securing over 25,000 first preference votes in the European elections was a “massive achievement” which he could not have done without his supporters and voters.
He added: “I would like to wish the Ireland First committee and membership the very best for the future, and know that I will be right beside you in your journey to a peaceful and free Ireland.”
Last month, Mr Blighe appealed a public order conviction after he had failed last year to make a contribution to the Irish Refugee Council.
His legal team told the court that his problem with paying the contribution was not political but was “purely a religious matter”.
The issue related to the stance taken by the Irish Refugee Council on the repeal of the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution in relation to abortion, the court heard.
Judge Helen Boyle varied the order so that Mr Blighe could instead pay €500 to Nasc, which advises migrants and refugees on their rights in Ireland.
His appeal was adjourned for two months to allow for confirmation of payment of the Nasc contribution. The public order case related to an alleged incident at Abbeyville House, Fermoy, on December 22, 2023.
He had eight previous convictions.
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