COOTEHILL MIGRANT PROTEST WAS “FUELLED BY DANGEROUS MISINFORMATION” SAYS RIGHTS GROUP

National refugee and migrant rights organisation Doras said this week that a recent anti-refugee protest in Cootehill, as well as similar events in other parts of the country, were “fuelled by misinformation and fear-mongering that exploit people’s legitimate concerns”. Doras CEO John Lannon called on local citizens, community groups and politicians to come together to counter what he described as “the scourge of hatred and division”.

Responding to statements made at the recent Cootehill protest, Mr Lannon said he understood that many people felt let down by the Government but it was unfair to blame refugees and migrants or to fall victim to misinformation being spread by far-right extremist groups. “There’s no doubt that there have been failures by politicians to communicate and plan properly when it comes to Ireland’s response to accommodating refugees and migrants. This has created a vacuum where other groups have stepped in and started to spread false information that is designed to provoke fear and anger.

“This is a well-documented phenomenon and has been happening around the world. It’s part of what got Trump elected. It is not dissimilar to the type of division experienced in 1930s Europe. “The history of Europe is filled with such examples, blaming minorities and stirring up misplaced hatred. The reality is refugees are among the most vulnerable people in the world, people…