Cork, June 7, 2025 —
An estimated 3,000 protesters took to the streets of Cork today in a high-profile demonstration against Ireland’s current immigration and asylum arrangements. The “Secure Our Borders” rally, organised by a coalition of right-wing activists, began at the Grand Parade shortly after 2 pm and proceeded along South Mall before culminating in speeches at MacSwiney Quay.
Calls for Policy Overhaul
Speakers at the rally criticised the Direct Provision system and urged the government to tighten entry requirements and expedite deportation procedures. “Our towns and services are at breaking point,” declared organiser and former Ireland First figurehead Derek Blighe. He argued that recent surges in asylum applications have exacerbated housing shortages and strained local health and education systems.
Hermann Kelly, representing the Irish Freedom Party, echoed these concerns, calling for an immediate cap on new arrivals and the replacement of Direct Provision centres with community-based accommodation. “We aren’t against helping genuine refugees,” Kelly insisted, “but we must prioritise the needs of Irish citizens and ensure fair treatment for everyone.”
Policing and Public Order
Gardaí deployed over 100 officers—including the Public Order Unit, Mounted Unit, Dog Unit, and Air Support—to oversee the event. Despite occasional tension when a smaller pro-Palestinian counter-protest intersected with the main march, the operation remained peaceful. Cork District Commander Chief Superintendent Thomas Butler reported a single arrest for public order offences and commended both protesters and commuters for their cooperation.
Community and Political Responses
Local elected representatives offered mixed reactions. Cork City Lord Mayor Mary O’Sullivan called for respectful discourse, stressing that “public safety and community cohesion must come first.” Social Democrat TD Holly Cairns criticised the rally’s rhetoric as “divisive,” urging the government to invest more heavily in integration services rather than curtail migration.
Refugee-support organisations, present at the fringe of the demonstration, highlighted that Ireland logged over 50,000 asylum applications in 2024—a 35 percent increase year-on-year. They warned that without adequate housing and social supports, vulnerable newcomers face heightened risks of destitution.
Looking Ahead
Organisers have announced plans for a similar protest in Galway next month, signalling that immigration policy will remain a flashpoint in Irish public life. Meanwhile, the Department of Justice has launched a review of today’s events, examining both crowd-management tactics and the role of online platforms in mobilising participants.
As Cork residents return to their daily routines, many observers hope the government’s forthcoming Migration Strategy—due for publication later this summer—will strike a balance between humane asylum practices and the practical realities facing local communities.
Context & Next Steps
The Cork rally formed part of a series of far-right anti-immigration events nationwide. Local councillors have called for cross-community dialogue, and the Department of Justice is reviewing the demonstration under its new public-order framework. Continued protests are expected in the coming weeks as activists press the government on asylum and housing policy.
An estimated 3,000 protesters took to the streets of Cork today in a high-profile demonstration against Ireland’s current immigration and asylum arrangements. The “Secure Our Borders” rally, organised by a coalition of right-wing activists, began at the Grand Parade shortly after 2 pm and proceeded along South Mall before culminating in speeches at MacSwiney Quay.
Calls for Policy Overhaul
Speakers at the rally criticised the Direct Provision system and urged the government to tighten entry requirements and expedite deportation procedures. “Our towns and services are at breaking point,” declared organiser and former Ireland First figurehead Derek Blighe. He argued that recent surges in asylum applications have exacerbated housing shortages and strained local health and education systems.
Hermann Kelly, representing the Irish Freedom Party, echoed these concerns, calling for an immediate cap on new arrivals and the replacement of Direct Provision centres with community-based accommodation. “We aren’t against helping genuine refugees,” Kelly insisted, “but we must prioritise the needs of Irish citizens and ensure fair treatment for everyone.”
Policing and Public Order
Gardaí deployed over 100 officers—including the Public Order Unit, Mounted Unit, Dog Unit, and Air Support—to oversee the event. Despite occasional tension when a smaller pro-Palestinian counter-protest intersected with the main march, the operation remained peaceful. Cork District Commander Chief Superintendent Thomas Butler reported a single arrest for public order offences and commended both protesters and commuters for their cooperation.
Community and Political Responses
Local elected representatives offered mixed reactions. Cork City Lord Mayor Mary O’Sullivan called for respectful discourse, stressing that “public safety and community cohesion must come first.” Social Democrat TD Holly Cairns criticised the rally’s rhetoric as “divisive,” urging the government to invest more heavily in integration services rather than curtail migration.
Refugee-support organisations, present at the fringe of the demonstration, highlighted that Ireland logged over 50,000 asylum applications in 2024—a 35 percent increase year-on-year. They warned that without adequate housing and social supports, vulnerable newcomers face heightened risks of destitution.
Looking Ahead
Organisers have announced plans for a similar protest in Galway next month, signalling that immigration policy will remain a flashpoint in Irish public life. Meanwhile, the Department of Justice has launched a review of today’s events, examining both crowd-management tactics and the role of online platforms in mobilising participants.
As Cork residents return to their daily routines, many observers hope the government’s forthcoming Migration Strategy—due for publication later this summer—will strike a balance between humane asylum practices and the practical realities facing local communities.
Context & Next Steps
The Cork rally formed part of a series of far-right anti-immigration events nationwide. Local councillors have called for cross-community dialogue, and the Department of Justice is reviewing the demonstration under its new public-order framework. Continued protests are expected in the coming weeks as activists press the government on asylum and housing policy.
