The Workers’ Party condemns the violent scenes in Coolock today, where anti-immigration protesters have clashed with Gardaí, leaving at least one security guard injured. These events will continue unless the causes of such discontent are challenged, according to Workers’ Party representative Garrett Greene.

Greene said: “The scenes that we’ve seen today, as we’ve seen before, are ultimately a product of the abandonment of working people and class politics by much of the left, which, coupled with the failure of the government to address the housing crisis, has left a vacuum to be filled by reactionary agitators. These elements are now deeply embedded in many parts of the country, and as a result events like this can be expected to continue.”

“It is crucial that, as socialists, we do not simply row in behind the government and much of the left by just condemning the far-right while refusing to look at the cause of their growth. It may be the easy thing to do, but it is also what has gotten us in this situation in the first place.”

“This situation will not change until the fundamental economic and social causes have been dealt with. This includes a long-term strategy that is realistic about immigration policy and the extent to which immigration is used by the ruling class to weaken and divide the working class. We cannot expect the government to do this for us, so, if we want to challenge the violence and growth of the far-right, it is crucial that socialists are brave enough to avoid sticking our heads in the sand on the issue.”