Celtic supporters' group slam 'disgraceful' attack on fans by far-right in Dublin pub

The incident happened following a far-right demonstration in Dublin over the weekend

A “disgraceful” far-right attack on Celtic fans in Dublin has been condemned by Naomh Padraig Celtic Supporters Club (CSC).

The incident reportedly occurred at a pub on Eden Quay following an anti-immigration march in the city on Saturday.

Between 35 and 50 demonstrators entered the pub, but were asked to leave by Celtic fans who had gathered in the pub to celebrate Celtic FC winning their 55th Scottish League title.

The protesters reportedly launched physical attacks on the supporters, with staff and management being racially abused.

The group was ultimately removed from the pub while the entrance was secured and the pub’s doors closed to the public until it was safe to reopen.

In a statement, Naomh Padraig CSC said the supporters asked the demonstrators to leave in solidarity with “the Palestinian people and those in need of refuge worldwide.”

“The demonstration had been earlier chanting ‘Get Them Out’ in reference to forced mass deportation and anti-Palestinian solidarity slogans with Israeli flags openly on display,” the statement said.

“The demonstrators launched into a physical attack on the Celtic FC supporters and horrendous racial abuse of non-Irish members of staff and management.

“The much larger far right contingent were bravely removed from the property by Celtic supporters while management and staff secured the entrance, closing the venue to the public until it was safe to reopen.

The supporters club branded it as“ a display and manifestation of bigotry and hatred.”

“Celtic FC is a renowned football club, established in 1887 based on the principles of support for impoverished immigrants and refuge seekers,” they continued, adding that there is “no place for racism, facism, anti-immigrant support or even sentiment, regardless of the socio-economic or political climate in the ethos of the spirit of being a true Celtic FC supporter.”

“We abhor the attack in Dublin on our clubs supporters as much as we abhor the message that the Dublin demonstration heralded,” their statement said.

“We appeal to those suffering under trying economic circumstances not to be duped by opportunistic political agitators with a far-right narrative.

“They do not have the solution to your problems, or the will to strategise one if all they have to offer is placing blame upon the world's weakest people, refugee seekers.”

Hundreds of people took to the streets of Dublin for the anti-immigration protest and the counter-demonstration amid a heavy Garda presence.

The march began at the Garden of Remembrance and marched down O’Connell Street before stopping at the Customs House.

Demonstrators held various banners, with several wearing baseball caps that read ‘Make Ireland Great Again’.

One banner showed an image of Conor McGregor standing between Russian president Vladamir Putin and US president Donald Trump.

McGregor himself also attended the protest, and in a video shared to social media before hand he said April 26 is a “big day for our country” and the month of April is “historic” for Ireland as it marks the anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising, where “over 100 years ago our brave men and women made the ultimate sacrifice so that we could live free today”.

United against Racism held a counter-protest at the GPO on O’Connell Street and chanted as the anti-immigration march passed by them.

There was a large amount of heckling and hand gestures between the two groups but there was a heavy Garda presence and no violence broke out.

Counter-protesters chanted about Conor McGregor, claiming he won’t protect women and referenced the successful civil action taken by Nikita Hand against him after she alleged he raped her at a Dublin hotel.

Three people were arrested on public order offences during the course of the day. However, An Garda Síochána confirmed to sundayworld.com that no arrests were made in relation to the incident at the pub on Eden Quay.

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