'This is not the Mullingar we pride ourselves on'

The actions of anti-immigrant protesters outside Columb Barracks over the weekend are not representative of the wider community in Mullingar, according to local politicians.

Minister for European Affairs Peter Burke, Deputies Sorca Clarke and Robert Troy, and the mayor of the Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad, Cllr Hazel Smyth, have all condemned what Deputy Clarke described as the “thuggish behaviour” of some of the people who spent the weekend outside Columb Barracks following the arrival of the first group of International Protection (IP) applicants on Friday morning.

A bus carrying the first group of IP applicants gained entry to the barracks, but protesters prevented a second bus from entering.

Tensions rose on Friday evening and at around 9pm a garda was assaulted, while shortly after midnight a male protester in his 20s was arrested for public order offences. He has since been released and a file is being prepared for the DPP.

A contingent of protesters remained at the gates throughout the weekend and locals were joined by a number of far right activists from across the country.

Minister Burke said that “absolutely in the strongest terms I condemn the behaviour over the last few days outside Columb Barracks”.

“Many of those that took part are fringe, far right activists who are coming into our community and exploiting it.

“I would also condemn the behaviour towards An Garda Síochána, who have done huge work in trying to protect our community, and any attack on the gardaí is an attack on our democracy and should not be tolerated.”

Deputy Clarke said that the actions of the protesters “are not a reflection of the wider town of Mullingar”.

“While many people have genuine concerns about how this was going to work and many people are not happy with Columb Barracks being used for International Protection applicants, because of the commitments given by government that it would be used for the betterment of the town – they do understand the pressures that the refugee system is under and they don’t agree with some of the thuggish behaviour that we have seen at the gates of the barracks. It’s not acceptable.

“To see people travel some distances into our town to inflame hate and division is not on. They are not welcome here. They are not welcome by the vast majority of people who live in this town.”

Deputy Troy said that he was “very disappointed” to view the scenes at the entrance of Columb Barracks over the weekend.

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