Heated scenes as far-right councillors heckle Independent TD at Leinster House protest

People protesting the sale of the CityWest Hotel outside Leinster House. Picture: Sam Boal / Collins Photos

There were heated scenes outside Leinster House after far-right councillors heckled an Independent TD during a protest against Government plans to buy the CityWest Hotel. 

Paul Gogarty, an Independent TD for Dublin Mid-West, visited the protest and spoke to the demonstrators to give his support for a public consultation on the Government's proposals.

Justice minister Jim O’Callaghan is expected to bring forward proposals to buy the hotel and expand the asylum seeker accommodation at the site.

During his speech to protesters, Mr Gogarty said he had “no truck” with far-right protesters and would only be supporting the residents of Saggart involved in the demonstration.

His comments led to far-right independent councillors for Dublin City, Malachy Steenson and Gavin Pepper, protesting his comments and questioning who he was calling far right.

Mr Gogarty said Saggart residents had the “right to make a point” on the sale of CityWest. Questioned afterwards about his comments, Mr Gogarty said he supported local residents questioning why the Government was looking to purchase the hotel.

“The issue is that certain groupings who aren’t associated with the protestors tend to hang along the fringes,” Mr Gogarty said, referring to Mr Steenson. 

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Mr Pepper accused Mr Gogarty of “putting people down” and attempting to paint the protestors as far right, which was denied by the local TD. Mr Gogarty said the local protestors involved do not have “anything to do with the so-called far right”.

“I would try and separate CityWest, Saggart, Rathcoole residents who are making the point, versus the more sinister elements who are fomenting hatred towards any sort of newcomer to Ireland.” 

However, Mr Gogarty was criticised by some local protestors for his comments calling out the far right, saying he was lecturing the gathered crowd. In response, Mr Gogarty said this might have been his fault, by not declaring his support for the protestors calling for consultation.

“People can take things up the wrong way and maybe one or two people jumped the gun there, but I felt it’s important to say what I stand for,” he added.