Raising ire in Ireland: Covid lockdowns prove fertile breeding ground for far-right groups

The pandemic and lockdowns have proved a fertile breeding ground for far-right organisations and parties to use public fear to spread hate towards ethnic and sexual minorities. 

Anti-lockdown protests have been seen in cities nationwide, with violent clashes between anti-lockdown, far-right protesters and counter-protesters in October.

In the hours following the fatal shooting of George Nkencho by gardaí in west Dublin last December, an image began to circulate on social media.

Among many tributes to the 27-year-old, one striking image was shared. It contained a picture of Mr Nkencho along with a number of crimes he had, according to the image, committed.