Tánaiste says the idea of competing protests is a recipe for potential trouble

The Tánaiste says the idea of competing protests is a recipe for potential trouble.

Micheál Martin was speaking on a visit to Haulbowline Naval base today after demonstrations by two opposing groups in the city centre on Saturday.

The ‘Cork says No To Racism’ group gathered at the National Monument on Grand Parade, while the ‘Ireland First’ group held a “Cork says No” rally outside the library an hour later.

Members of both groups faced off against one another and were kept apart by Gardaí.

Speaking to RedFM News, Tánaiste Micheál Martin says peaceful protest is a key aspect of democracy but says that different opinions and perspectives have to be respected:

“I’m concerned in more recent protests, where there’s anger and almost a militant approach .By some endorse protests, and by some cheerleaders in particular and hate language and language that is divisive, is used far too often on our streets. I think where protests happen the idea of caches and people kind of protesting against another protest. I think that is a recipe for potential trouble.”