Overview

• Violent riots broke out in Dublin last month, sparked by a stabbing attack and fueled by anti-immigrant sentiment, reflecting long-standing social issues and an emboldened far-right movement.
• The riots have exposed a growing divide in Irish society over immigration, with the far-right exploiting discontent over issues like housing and healthcare to drive their agenda.
• The riots followed a stabbing attack outside a school, after which xenophobic rumors about the nationality of the suspect spread online, leading to a mob breaking the police cordon and causing widespread disorder.
• The economic growth brought by tech giants flocking to Dublin has had uneven benefits, with a housing crisis driving discontent among the population, particularly as immigration has risen sharply.
• Despite the far-right being a fringe movement in Ireland with no significant political representation, the riots have highlighted the need for the government to address social issues and prevent the spread of toxic narratives.