Foreign actors are influencing more extreme protests on domestic scene

Migration and asylum is a growing concern and fuelling far-right activism

Protesters took part in a vigil as they gathered outside a proposed International Protection Applicants migrant centre, River Lodge, in the Wicklow village of Newtownmountkennedy. The building was set on fire at the end of April. File picture: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews.ie

In terms of online propaganda, it worked.

Videos of dark-clad riot-squad officers, armed with long shields and helmets, driving at lines of protestors, women among them, was a sign of ‘police brutality’ against ordinary people.