The far right in Ireland isn’t just a fringe group shouting into the void—they are a growing, dangerous movement manipulating fear, spreading lies, and poisoning public discourse. Their methods are sneaky. Their messaging is strategic. And their motives are far darker than they claim. The Ugly Truth: How the Far Right Operates in Ireland and Why It’s a Danger to Us All
What They Do: Manufacture Fear and Division
At their core, far-right actors exploit every crack in society—be it housing, healthcare, or immigration. They position themselves as “truth tellers,” claiming to say what no one else will. In reality, they are spin doctors, taking real issues and twisting them into scapegoating campaigns. They prey on people’s frustrations, convincing them that migrants, women, or “elites” are to blame for everything from rising rents to hospital queues.
They claim to stand for “Irish values” and “protecting women and children,” yet they consistently excuse or stay silent on gender-based violence—unless it fits their narrative. If the perpetrator is Irish, white, or male, they deflect, justify, or outright deny. When a victim is a migrant woman, a Traveller, or someone from the LGBTQ+ community? Their “protection” disappears.
How They Do It: Lies, Dog Whistles, and Radicalisation Pipelines
Far-right influencers rely heavily on social media to spread disinformation. They use coded language, memes, and viral videos to bypass moderation while planting seeds of hate. Their content often starts subtly—“asking questions” or claiming to be concerned citizens. Then it escalates. Soon, followers are exposed to conspiracy theories, racist talking points, and calls to action.
They recruit through fear, fake news, and emotional manipulation. Their tactics mirror cults: isolate, radicalise, then mobilise. They thrive on outrage and offer simple (false) solutions to complex problems.
Who They Target: The Vulnerable and the Angry
They target people already struggling—those dealing with poverty, unemployment, housing insecurity. Their goal? Redirect that legitimate anger away from failed policies and towards minorities, refugees, feminists, and anyone who stands for inclusion. They hijack movements, latch onto protests, and try to turn community anger into hate.
Why They Do It: Power, Control, and a Deep Contempt for Democracy
Despite their claims of being “for the people,” the far right consistently undermines democracy. They want control—not fairness. Their end goal isn’t justice or safety. It’s domination. They want a society where only certain people have rights. Where being Irish means ticking their box of skin colour, gender roles, and ideology.
They don’t care about solving Ireland’s problems. They just want to divide us while they push an extremist agenda under the radar.
The Harm They Do: Fueling Violence, Silencing Voices, Undermining Progress
The damage is real. They create an unsafe society—particularly for migrants, women, LGBTQ+ people, and marginalised communities. They turn local towns into battlegrounds and online spaces into echo chambers of hate. They discredit journalism, erode trust in institutions, and polarise public debate. And when violence does erupt, they deny responsibility.
This isn’t just talk. We’ve seen people attacked, harassed, and driven out of homes or jobs—because the far right stoked the fire.
The Bottom Line: Ireland Must Stand United, Not Divided
We need to tackle the real issues—housing, healthcare, inequality—without turning on each other. The far right offers nothing but fear and lies. Their so-called concern for women and children is conditional and fake. Their outrage is selective. And their movement is rooted in hate, not hope.
Ireland is better than this. Let’s call out the manipulation for what it is—and keep fighting for a fairer, more inclusive country for everyone who calls it home.
The Ugly Truth: How the Far Right Operates in Ireland and Why It’s a Danger to Us All
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