Dublin Protesters Arrested for Immigration and Homelessness Protests

A group of approximately 50 people protested outside the GPO in Dublin city center, protesting the government's attitude to immigration and homelessness. Three men were arrested and charged, while the group moved to Kildare Street near Leinster House. Organizers, including a 63-year-old man from Co Donegal, said they formed the group due to record levels of homelessness and to advocate for housing the Irish first.

A group of approximately 50 people gathered outside the GPO in Dublin city center on Wednesday afternoon to protest the government's attitude towards immigration and homelessness. The demonstration, organized by a 63-year-old man from County Donegal, aimed to highlight the record levels of homelessness in the country and advocate for housing Irish citizens first.

The protest began peacefully, with the group moving from the GPO to Kildare Street, near Leinster House. However, tensions escalated when three men were arrested and charged after scuffles broke out at the event on O'Connell Street. The arrested individuals, aged between their late teens and late 50s, were taken to a Garda station in Dublin and will appear before the courts at a later date [1].

The protesters, including several who were homeless or had experienced homelessness, connected online through social media, YouTube, and word of mouth. They set up camps behind barricades and planned to continue the rally overnight and into Thursday morning to highlight the homelessness crisis for "Irish people" [1].

The protest comes amidst a backdrop of ongoing debates about the government's immigration policies and the housing crisis. Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan has warned that an expected decision by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) could give newly arrived asylum seekers more rights than homeless people [2]. The ECJ is likely to rule that asylum seekers have a right to damages if the State fails to provide accommodation on their arrival, which could be seen as "very hard to justify" to Irish citizens and other member states [2].

The protestors' message was clear: they are not opposed to immigrants per se, but they believe the government should prioritize housing Irish citizens. The group's organizer, John, stated, "We’re not saying they [immigrants] are the problem, we’re saying the Government is the problem. House the Irish. House the immigrants, but house the Irish first" [1].

This incident highlights the growing public frustration with the government's handling of immigration and homelessness issues. As the housing crisis deepens, more people are expected to take to the streets to voice their concerns and demand action.

References:
[1] https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/social-affairs/2025/07/16/three-arrested-at-dublin-rally-over-governments-attitude-to-immigration-and-homelessness/
[2] https://www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/2025/07/16/court-ruling-would-give-newly-arrived-asylum-seekers-more-rights-than-homeless-people-minister-claims/