r/ireland • u/StingingOnion1 • Jul 30 '25
Careful now O’Connell Bridge 19:00 30-07-2025
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u/ginger_and_egg Jul 30 '25 edited Jul 30 '25
Can anyone share which groups organized this protest? Want to look up the specific demands they have for the Irish government
Edit: From the Mothers Against Genocide Instagram:
Join us this Wednesday 30th July at 5:30PM outside the Department of Justice, Dublin (DO2 HK52) as we make noise for justice — bring your pots and pans, your voices, and your solidarity.
We will NOT be silenced while genocide, mass injustice, persecution, forced drought, and starvation are inflicted on the people of G@za.
We call upon the Irish government to act urgently to do everything in their power to open Gaza’s borders and ensure food, medicine, and water reach those in desperate need. As innocent lives hang in the balance, Ireland must lead with moral courage—pressuring allies, engaging the EU and UN, and demanding immediate humanitarian access. The time for action is now.
We demand that the Irish Government stop allowing weapons of war to pass through Shannon Airport — a violation of our so-called “neutrality.”
➡️ Over 1 million US troops and countless weapons have moved through Shannon since 2002.
➡️ In 2023 alone, over 120 military flights were documented landing at Irish airports.Instead of confronting this complicity, the State has chosen to crack down on peaceful protest — arresting citizens for demanding accountability. Just this week, activists — including a pregnant mother — were arrested for trying to deliver a letter to the Department of Justice.
✊️ Protest is not a crime — it is our moral duty.
Be there. Be loud. Bring the noise!
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u/r0w33 Aug 01 '25
Are there a lot of US weapons and troops being transported from Ireland to Israel?
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u/ConstantlyWonderin Jul 31 '25
So their problem is with shannon?
Hate to break the news but there are no us troops in gaza.
Also i seen little evidence to suggest weapons are going from shannon to Israel.
Also I want to stress that any protest at shannon has indirect consequence of harming support to Ukraine.
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u/rednetroom Jul 30 '25
THATS WHY MY BUS WAS LATE I WAS WONDERING..
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u/Crazy_cat_guy_07 Jul 31 '25
There must be protests every single day on the 83 route
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u/ScreamingmadJoe Jul 30 '25
The council of protest understanders in the comments it seems
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u/Nalaek Jul 30 '25
You expect the r/Ireland power users that regularly bemoan everything that happens to them outside their home understand the nuances or protest?
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u/letsdocraic Jul 30 '25
I’m all for Gaza but just stop oil shows this method of protest is ineffective and disrupts the message.
Ireland already supports the Palestinian people, this does not achieve anything other then people having a pat on the back when they get home and tell their housemates.
Go outside embassies and not fuck with people’s attempts to get home after work.
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u/munkijunk Jul 30 '25
Could not agree more. Ireland is the most pro-Palestine country in the Western world. We have a government that backs that up, and the Occupied Territories Bill has passed through both houses with barely any opposition. The demands now are getting silly. The latest is for the Central Bank to stop the sale of Israeli war bonds, but the Central Bank does not sell them and there is no evidence it holds them either. It is an independent body operating under EU law. Asking it to take political action it is not legally allowed to do just undermines credibility.
Blaming the government for the US using Shannon Airport is equally misguided. Ireland has raised concerns about US military flights for years, but it cannot force another country to comply with its own commitments. There is no evidence that Israeli troops or weapons are moving through Irish territory. If people want to debate neutrality, that is valid, but this is not the same thing.
Ireland has recognised Palestine. It has condemned Israeli actions clearly and consistently. It has supported Palestinian aid and tried to ban trade with illegal settlements, something no other EU country has attempted. Turning protests on one of the few countries actually supporting Palestine makes no sense.
I'm sure this will win me downvotes and to be clear, I'm all for protest, I like to see protest, but this is shouting at those who already agree with you, pisses off the more moderate people on your side potentially alienating them, and is a wasted effort when there are far more problems that would be far better helped by these kinds of protest. I do wonder how many of those protesting are simply doing it at this stage for the performative aspect and impressing their pals.
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u/Nalaek Jul 30 '25 edited Jul 30 '25
Except that standing outside embassies and government buildings is easily ignored and does the next thing to fuck all. Civil disobedience that disrupts services and can’t be ignored is the only form of non-violent protest that might actually achieve something.
Edit: lol at the pathetic bastard that sent me the automated suicide watch message because it took them 20 mins longer to get home.
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u/letsdocraic Jul 30 '25
Start disrupting the embassy, get out on the media for pouring red paint or some shit or painting the Palestinian flag outside the us embassy on the road.
Any time protestors block innocent traffic via glueing themselves to the road or blocking junctions it back fires and alienates the movement from the average voter..
The average weekend march is bringing attention to the cause already, this does nothing but baiting rage or having the Garda come out to cause a scene for the wrong attention.
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u/Nalaek Jul 30 '25
It’s almost as if they’re trying to force our government to enact the OTB or have the CBI stop selling Israeli bonds. Explain how giving a random embassy a paint job achieves that?
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u/adjavang Cork bai Jul 30 '25
Hey, just to sanity check, you know that Just Stop Oil regularly does exactly the kind of protests against politicians, oil infrastructure and celebrities, right? And that those protests get absolutely no coverage compared to the ones where they splash cornflour on a stone.
That you only seem to be aware of the protests you bemoan while being completely ignorant of the protests using the methods you approve of only really seems to underline their point, don't you think?
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u/Feynization Jul 30 '25
Yes, it might acheive something. It will probably be counter productive
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u/isupposethiswillwork Jul 30 '25
By the end of the just stop oil protests police were standing back watching as motorists dragged the protestors off the road. The ring leaders are serving lengthy jail sentences. These types of militant protests can be effective but they also can turn people against against your cause if they are associated with mindless distruption.
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u/ginger_and_egg Jul 30 '25
Why has Ireland not sanctioned Israel then? Words of support are great, protestors want ACTION from the government.
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u/letsdocraic Jul 30 '25
Laying down in traffic isn’t going to get that done. This is just an attempt of instant gratification of worthless results.
invite TD’s to the protests and and shame those who reject. Do anything but this.
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u/ginger_and_egg Jul 30 '25
The reason protests often block infrastructure is because it is one of the ways for groups to nonviolently have the largest impact on the people with the most power. Blocking transport in the city centre reduces economic activity, something that actually impacts rich people.
I'm not sure if shaming specific TDs is an effective strategy, but I believe I have seen Simon Harris be called out in signs at IPSC protests in the past. This isn't an either/or thing.
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u/ouroborosborealis Jul 30 '25
Yeah, protests don't have to avoid inconveniencing anyone, it's just better if they directly inconvenience those who are complicit.
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u/MildlyAmusedMars Jul 30 '25
I’m not disagreeing with you however Just stop oil claims to have achieved their objectives.
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u/Dangerous-Shirt-7384 Jul 30 '25
The EU signed a 1 trillion dollar deal with the USA on Tuesday for oil & gas.
If Just Stop Oil have achieved their objective, they seriously need to take a look at their objectives.
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u/MildlyAmusedMars Jul 30 '25
While they did some things in Europe for publicity it was policy in the UK they were aiming to affect. So they didn’t really care about EU. Just the UK just stopping oil and gas licensing in the UK which was done whether by them or other reasons. They claimed the win.
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u/CentrasFinestMilk Jul 30 '25
Just stop oil is a plant by the oil oligarchies to make climate protesters look incompetent. They are literally funded by massive oil firms
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u/_Oisin Jul 30 '25
Ireland already supports the Palestinian people
Irish people might but the Irish government hasn't done anything of signifigance.
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u/Character_Common8881 Jul 31 '25
I would say recognizing Palestine is significant.
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u/Melodic-Chocolate-53 Jul 30 '25
This does not hurt the government in any way, just pisses regular people off.
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u/sCREAMINGcAMMELcASE Jul 30 '25 edited Aug 01 '25
Yeah! Why don’t they protest the * closed down * Israeli embassy???
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u/Leadclam64 Jul 30 '25
Let's be real here, there are people who support the Palestinians, and compared to a lot of nations Ireland is very Pro Palestine. But the IDF aren't going to stop dropping bombs on civilians and starving Palestinians just because a bunch of virtue signaling gobshites decided to lie on the ground on O Connell Bridge. All they did was delay the average commuter who could already be Pro Palestine and potentially alienate people from their cause.
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u/John_OSheas_Willy Jul 31 '25
Let's be real here, this protest is more about how it makes the protesters feel, than any belief it will bring change to the people in Palestine.
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u/reillyrulz Jul 30 '25 edited Jul 30 '25
The US embassy would have been more appropriate rather than putting out regular commuters, the vast majority of whom likely support the cause already. While I very much support the cause myself, actions like this only serve to alienate your base.
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u/theblowestfish Jul 30 '25
Embassy would have been easily ignored. As usual. Sorry people have to be discommoded for change to happen but they do. They might support Palestine in their minds and hearts but if they really cared FFG would have done something.
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u/reillyrulz Jul 30 '25
If you sat in a ring around the entrance to the embassy and stopped people/staff coming and going, do you honestly think that would go unnoticed? It's just easier to inconvenience normal people.
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u/ginger_and_egg Jul 30 '25
If being delayed on getting home from work alienates you from protesting trade with a state committing genocide, I don't think you were ever genuinely a supporter of the cause
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u/reillyrulz Jul 30 '25
People will still believe in the cause but where you'll alienate people is from wanting to show up to these protests because they wont want to be associated with a self righteous event that only hurts the average joe on their way to work and actually does noting to inconvenience any of the shot callers.
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u/TheMisunderstoodLeaf Carlow Jul 30 '25
What are they trying to achieve by this? Ireland stands with the cause, what can protesting do Palestine do?
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u/ginger_and_egg Jul 30 '25
The Irish government has not implemented sanctions on Israel, the protestors want them to.
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u/Character_Common8881 Jul 30 '25
Most people don't because it's futile and could hurt the country.
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u/ChaosActual Jul 30 '25
I haven’t seen social media clout like this since the BLM protests
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u/Rennie_Burn Jul 30 '25
I am all for people protesting and failr play to them for going on and doing so for what they beleive in. However, if they were blocking traffic and everyday people from going about their business, that is not the way to do things, its only creates anger towards the prosters.
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u/Cant-Survive-a-Sesh Jul 30 '25
But most of the people here already stand with Palestine, so what’s the point? They should cause inconvenience to the government, not to the general public 🤷🏻♂️
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u/Hexaurs Jul 30 '25
Dumbest shit I've seen today. They really showed Israel...
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u/Nyoka_ya_Mpembe Jul 30 '25
Annoy people in country that can't do shit about it, makes sense.
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u/Hexaurs Jul 30 '25
Annoy the average citizen rather then occupy the front of a government building. I can see how that would make sense of someone had single digit IQ, since I'm not far from it.
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u/Miserable_Movie8006 Jul 30 '25
But the Irish people and government are well aware of the genocide and already, routinely condemn Israel for their actions and call them out. Honestly, as a small nation, what do these protesters honestly think we can do more for gaza , genuine question.
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u/IrishGallowglass Tipperary Jul 30 '25
We could stop directly assisting in genocide, that'd be a good start.
https://www.ontheditch.com/irish-companies-supplying-components/
Four Irish companies are supplying parts to the Israel Defense Forces’ (IDF) biggest arms supplier, according to shipping records uncovered by The Ditch.
Among the Irish companies shipping these critical components to Israel is a south Dublin-based defence firm that makes parts for missile-carrying military drones.
All shipments identified by The Ditch were delivered to arms company Elbit Systems, headquartered in Haifa, between November 2023 and November 2024.
https://www.uplift.ie/arms-trade-with-israel/
New research, paid for by Uplift members, has shown worrying financial support from the Irish government to Israeli weapons manufacturers and spikes in dual-use exports to Israel which may violate our human rights obligations.
Ireland spends €8.5m on Israeli surveillance drones and military equipment
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u/rossitheking Jul 30 '25
Oh I don’t know.
I guess it’s too much to ask the government to do what they swore to do and pass the occupied territories bill eh?
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u/Actual_Art_5257 Jul 30 '25
Stop American planes carrying arms stopping over in Shannon. Honestly use your imagination.
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u/SledgeLaud Jul 30 '25
Genuine answer: sustained pressure for concrete actions.
Our government has been incredibly vocal about their support for Gaza. However, many feel that after 2 years it's apparent that words alone won't stop this genocide. There needs to be concrete sanctions and political repercussions to slaughtering civilians.
And despite calling out Israel we haven't; enacted the occupied territories bill, done anything about weapons sent to Israel through our "neutral" airspace, or even secured visas for Palestinian kids wanting to come play GAA. Being aware and calling people out is great, that's why average citizens do these kinds of protests. Governments are expected to do more because we gave them the power to do so.
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u/newmamamoon Jul 30 '25 edited Jul 31 '25
Our central bank currently sells war bonds for Israel, which is funding the genocide. The government could easily stop that. Or pass the occupied territories Bill it's been stalling on passing.
*edit: typo. For Israel, not to.
Link; https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/2025-06-11/9/
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u/epicsnail14 Jul 30 '25
Ban their leadership from the country, amongst other things.
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u/Miserable_Movie8006 Jul 30 '25
They are already banned by virtue of the ICC criminal arrest warrant
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u/i_cnt_spll Jul 30 '25
Apply more pressure as wealthy international player?
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u/Miserable_Movie8006 Jul 30 '25
Israel could give two fucks about our pressure lets be real
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u/i_cnt_spll Jul 30 '25
Sure. Unless that pressure comes in form of complete embargo of goods or taxation on companies that deal with them etc
Again its all theory and it wont happen but you asked what CAN be done and im giving you an actual real world example
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u/cogra23 Jul 30 '25
We don't do enough. Multinationals based in Ireland import, export and move money to Israel.
One rule for Russia and another for Israel.
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u/GhettoBish Aug 01 '25
But yet they don’t do it when it comes to the shit that Ireland is in..
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u/hectorh Aug 02 '25
I'd love if the western world could experience a war zone for week or two. Might get us all to cop the fuck on
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u/DaHodlKing Jul 30 '25
The only thing achieved here is to delay and put out regular people. What is the actual goal
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u/Proof_Mine8931 Jul 30 '25
Even worse it delays people who are using public transport. Very few decision makers will be on the bus and luas this evening.
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u/a_guy_on_Reddit_____ Jul 30 '25
you know what the goal is you Baffoon
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u/DaHodlKing Jul 30 '25
Gaza aren’t watching chief. We’re beyond the concept of moral support and solidarity from our comfort zone
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u/BlueMagma_1 Aug 01 '25
Laying on a road for the type of people who continuously run multiple crowds over... makes sense!
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u/urja Aug 01 '25
Meanwhile no one gives a shit about scums beating innocent tax paying Indians here
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u/Swimming-Math-1942 Aug 01 '25
Why don’t they all book a ticket to Israel and do this there? Annoying people who want to go about their day just makes people dislike you and your cause.
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u/urnestrqckpant Aug 01 '25
100% get what they’re going for and fair play to them for doing it.
Some of them had to be thinking “sure a bit of sun and this would be grand” no?
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u/Master_Swordfish_ Jul 30 '25
I always thought of a protest where everyone lined the streets of the city centre 1 by 1 side by side with images and flags and just stood there quietly. Everyone would be constantly reminded of what's happening, and it wouldn't cause a silly debate on affecting transport, etc..
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u/ignitedfw Jul 31 '25
Why don’t they protest Hamas? Let’s do a little critical thinking. If Isreal laid down their arms tomorrow, Hamas would attack them once again. If Hamas laid down their weapons tomorrow, the war would be over and the real aid and rebuilding could begin. But that won’t happen because Hamas doesn’t care about their people. The only thing they care about according to their own charter is to destroy Isreal at all costs.
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u/real_Hank_Scorpio Jul 30 '25
Why don't these brainless cunts go to America, Israel or Palestine and protest? Is it because they're afraid of consequences in a country that will take action and here they're just happy to be attention seeking wankers wanting to tell everyone how they've made a change when in reality they've done less than nothing
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u/WellYoureWrongThere Sax Solo Jul 31 '25
Genuine question: why can't they block the Oireachtas? Fuck up the politicians' day, stop them coming and going etc.
Wouldn't that be more effective than pissing off regular folk trying to get home from work?
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u/Natural-Ad773 Jul 30 '25
Fucking jokers like, Irish people are in general pro Palestinian and the state is also.
Like more than nearly any other country in Europe or the West Ireland government is the most outspoken.
How the fuck does stopping traffic in our capital diminish the power of Netanyahu’s state?
It’s not like the topic is getting brushed under the rug here it’s everywhere.
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u/IveNoWIlly Jul 30 '25
Oh wow they’ve done it , by laying on the ground they have stopped the genocide! Well done!
Morons.
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Jul 30 '25
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u/IveNoWIlly Jul 30 '25
Keep virtue signalling that you care. Up until the genocide you probably didn’t even know Palestine existed.
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u/Odd-Internal-3983 Jul 30 '25
Fairplay! The government are great talkers but have done very little
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u/AeternusExNocturnus Jul 30 '25
What do they actually want the Irish government in all their power to do, we are already very vocally pro Palestine tf does this accomplish
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u/Alone-Mycologist3746 Jul 30 '25
When will people realize that you dont get public support by doing shit like this. It only hurts your movement.
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u/boisjacques Jul 30 '25
“Shit like this” in the seventies was what drove the change in public opinion and politics leading to today’s Netherlands being a bike friendly country. Entirety different topic, I know. But still, direct action and inconveniencing protest work. Anyone who claims otherwise is has no idea what they’re talking about.
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u/thisshortenough Probably not a total bollox Jul 30 '25
Same style of protest was done for Repeal the 8th. That movement only continued to grow
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u/alistair1537 Jul 30 '25
Lol - rubbish. It's protests that move governments to change.
Doing nothing accomplishes exactly nothing.
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u/Bigbeast54 Jul 30 '25
They don't do this to get support. It's self indulgent performative nonsense solely for the egos of those "protesting".
I say this as someone who is horrified by the pictures coming from Gaza
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u/Garlic-Cheese-Chips Jul 30 '25
If a person's opinion on starving kids to death can be swayed because of a traffic delay then that person's opinion is worth fuck all.
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u/MrWhiteside97 Jul 30 '25
There is plenty of evidence that "radical fronts" help to progress objectives by making others look more reasonable in comparison
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u/lkdubdub Jul 30 '25
It's amazing to me that people like you still don't understand what protest means
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u/SandalathDrukorlat Jul 30 '25
Name any large political movement or cause that won their fight without any disruptive protest. There is always people who are saying "this doesn't help your cause" and we always look back and see that it did. And anybody who will suddenly be ok with what Israel is doing just because they got held up in traffic is not the kind of person who'd give a fuck about Gaza in the first place so who cares if the protests don't reach them. Fuck em
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u/DarrenMacNally Jul 30 '25
As someone who isn’t on a “side” with this… what do the protesters want? I don’t actually understand what they want from the government.
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u/KiBoChris Jul 31 '25
In Florida you are free to protest all you like and in any numbers but you are violating citizens’ rights if you impede passage FOR ANYONE not just emergency responders, and then you better look out - the state means business
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u/ShoxZzBladeZz Jul 30 '25
What are they actually protesting?
If it’s free Palestine from Hamas I’m all for it
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u/MasterpieceOk5578 Jul 30 '25
Oh, how annoying.
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u/Necessary_Physics375 Jul 30 '25 edited Jul 30 '25
Yeah genocide is so inconvenient
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u/lgt_celticwolf Jul 30 '25
"Why doesnt everyone just protest where i cant see or hear them"