The peace along the banks of the river Boyne at Drogheda was shattered last Saturday afternoon when two groups started exchanging insults using megaphones.

One group’s message was of peace and love for visitors to our town including those who have fled violence and political upheaval in other countries and are currently seeking protection in Ireland.

The other was made up of people from various right wing parties and ideologies who have been touring the country to demonstrate at locations where refugees are being housed or at buildings which they think are being prepared to house asylum seekers.

Far from love and hope, their message was one of hatred and intolerance. Instead of embracing a multi-cultural society and learning from the traditions of other cultures, they have chosen the supremacist attitude of closing their hearts and minds against anyone that is different to them.

Instead of aiming their anger at the Irish Government for their inept handling of both the housing and refugee crises, they have chosen to blame the asylum seekers.

“Out, Out, Out” was their oft-repeated chant which was countered from the left-wing Drogheda4All group some 200 metres away with messages of love and chanting “Say it loud, say it clear, refugees are welcome here” or renditions of the Beatle’s song “All you need is love.”

Watching from the roof of the DHotel was a group of International Protection applicants who cheered every time the Beatles song was sung or “refugees are welcome here” was chanted.

“Drogheda has always been a town that welcomes and thrives on diversity” a Drogheda4 All spokesperson told Drogheda Life.

“We must not let the far-right or those blinded by despair and a fear of everything to destroy our town. The socially Derelict creed of a minority must not be allowed to drown out the voices of reason and the demand of justice for all.

“We must stand united against those who would burn down buildings rather than share them with those in need, who would take away the right to exist from so many of our friends and relatives.”

“In the end we all need to decide what kind of country we want to live in. One full of hope, happiness and love or one of hate and bigotry. Ireland is for all.”

Drogheda Life approached the right wing group which numbered just 14 or fifteen people, for a comment but was told in no uncertain terms to go away.

“Fuck off out of here or you’ll be digging that camera out of your arse” was the response I received, or words to that effect.

“Out, Out, Out” the demonstrators chanted. “Refugees are welcome here” came the reply again and again. “All you need is Love, love is all you need” came the response.

When Derek McElearney of the far right Independence Party took to his megaphone he must have been disappointed at the size of the demonstration which was  far smaller than the counter demo. 

At 81 first preference votes in the Drogheda Rural electoral area in last month’s local elections, his was the smallest vote of any of the candidates, even the disgraced Fine Gael candidate Marian Agrios beat him and she had withdrawn her name long before polling day.