Reasons for escalating tensions in Ireland due to large-scale immigration

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The Irish government’s unwavering commitment to housing and feeding an unprecedented influx of migrants in the wake of a severe housing and cost of living crisis has brought the Irish electorate to boiling point. It has many similarities to the migrant crisis in the U.S.

Hundreds of protests in towns have sprung up around the country with people calling on the government to end what they say is an “open borders” globalist agenda that is putting the needs of migrants ahead of its citizens — many of whom are struggling to pay for everyday items and unable to buy or rent homes as Ireland’s homeless numbers skyrockets.

Several high-profile crimes linked to migrants have also driven fear into the native citizenry, culminating in the shocking knife attacks on young children and their teacher by an Algerian-born Irish citizen in November that triggered rioting and looting in the nation’s capital.

Much of the despair and disillusionment of those on the right who oppose mass immigration is that they are not represented in the political process.

Fine Gael, McEntee’s party, is part of a coalition government in office since 2020 with Fianna Fáil and the Green Party. Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil would once have been viewed as center-right but have shifted left and embraced progressivism and globalism.

Ireland’s main opposition party to the government, Sinn Féin, has been in lockstep with the establishment throughout the crisis, creating a void for a populist, nationalist movement.

The result has been an explosion in novice candidates running for office in next month’s local and EU elections representing newly formed right-wing parties.

It is, of course, unclear what kind of impact they can make.

However, thrown into the mix is the fact that refugees and asylum seekers in Ireland are able to vote in local elections.

An Irish migrant group bragged on X Thursday that it had just registered 1,500 asylum seekers to vote, all of whom the groups said, promised to vote for the government coalition partner the Green Party.

The elections take place June 7.

Fox News Digital requested comment from Ireland’s prime minister, justice minister and integration minister, as well as the Irish Refugee Council, but did not receive any responses.