Irish police arrested 19 individuals in Dublin on Thursday after anti-immigration protesters blocked a major bridge during the evening rush hour.
The protest disrupted traffic for several hours, leading to police intervention.
The police confirmed the incident, but made no further comment. There were no reported injuries during the incident.
The protests began with around 500 demonstrators marching through central Dublin towards the Irish parliament, which had reopened after its summer recess. However, police prevented the marchers from reaching the parliament gates.
Along the route, counter-protesters from an anti-racism rally expressed their opposition, creating a tense atmosphere.
Rising anti-immigration sentiment has been evident in Ireland in recent years. Last November, riots erupted in central Dublin, fuelled by far-right social media, following a knife attack on schoolchildren by an Irish citizen of immigrant background.
The Irish government is currently dealing with a surge in asylum-seeker arrivals due to a persistent housing shortage.
Government data reveals that more than 10,500 individuals sought asylum in Ireland during the first half of 2024, nearly double the number compared to the same period last year.
Additionally, there has been an increase in arson attacks targeting buildings intended for accommodating asylum seekers, with dozens of fires reported since 2023.
