Anti-lockdown frustrations are justified, but we need to talk about the darker side of this movement

We should not underestimate the power of the far-right and their dangerous conspiracy theories – which can be empowering and addictive to regular people driven to the point of despair by the longest lockdown in Europe

Garda arrest a lone demonstrator on O'Connell Street in Dublin city centre ahead of a planned anti-lockdown protest. Gardai rolled out a massive security operation to prevent planned lockdown protests to mark St Patrick's Day in Ireland. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Conspiracy theorists, fascists, far-right, loonies, nutjobs are just some of the words used to describe the crowds that have taken to the streets to protest against lockdown measures. 

Some of these words accurately describe some of those in attendance. There is no doubt that the anti-lockdown movement has been infiltrated by far-right fascists. There is no doubt that conspiracy theories have successfully twisted people’s sense of reality.