Politics watch: Anti-immigration protest suggests trouble to come
James Cox
Here, we have a look at the issues likely to dominate political discourse in the week to come.
Anti-immigration protest suggests trouble to come
There was a heightened Garda presence in Dublin for an anti-immigration protest and counter demonstration on Saturday.
Public order units, mounted gardaí and a helicopter were involved in policing the two rallies.
Gardaí said no major incidents occurred but three people were arrested for public order offences.
Made up of disparate groups, the main protest was generally organised against the sitting Irish Government and its policies on immigration and housing in particular.
The Taoiseach has rejected the “negativity” expressed by those who spoke at the major protest in Dublin over the weekend.
Asked by reporters about the protesters also invoking the the memory of the leaders of the 1916 Rising, Micheál Martin said: “The message of the 1916 proclamation is an inclusive, internationalist vision, not one that is narrow.
“It never had at its core a narrow nationalism. It was very internationalist. It was inclusive, it was open.
“And that’s the spirit which Fianna Fáil will be continuing – and that’s a very important point.
“We don’t believe in a narrow nationalism, and we are part of modern European society, members of the European Union since the early 1970s and that’s brought great transformation to the country.
“We have a thriving economy in Ireland, and I would be very cautious about those who are advocating – those yesterday and some who would advocate – policies that in my view would be detrimental to the future of the country and of our people.”
Immigration has been a big issue for the Government, and it is likely to continue to be one.
Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan has promised changes including increased deportation for illegal migration, and a faster processing time for asylum seekers.
However, the extreme fringes that took part in Saturday's protest will not be satisfied with these measures.
Government warned not to ignore McGregor's 'far-right American messaging'
Conor McGregor has "completely adopted American far-right messaging" with his anti-immigration rhetoric, according to an expert in global extremism.
The Global Project Against Hate and Extremism (Gpahe) "centres its work on countering the threat from the far-right while emphasising human rights and progressive values".
Speaking to BreakingNews.ie, Global Project Against Hate and Extremism co-founder and president Wendy Via said political leaders would be foolish to dismiss McGregor just because his presidential bid looks unlikely.
Ms Via said his recent interview with former Fox News broadcaster Tucker Carlson hit a number of far-right talking points, such as adopting seemingly religious themes and dehumanising migrants.
"I don't know if it's permanent, but during that interview he seemed to be moderating a little bit saying ‘I'm the good guy, I just want to protect my family and my country... I want to be led by God’. I was thinking ‘ok Conor, we'll see’.
"It seems to me that he is completely adopting the American far-right messaging.
"It’s ‘this is what's right and what's good for our people’. He's setting himself up to be a bit of a hero, which is what a lot of far-right figures do, especially political figures.
"I know that McGregor doesn't have any political power right now.
"The people who adopt this far-right messaging, their ability to prey on people, prey on their fears, their economic fears, their safety fears, ‘because immigrants are criminals', as they say."
While far-right groups in Ireland are divided and not organised, Ms Via said figures like McGregor often become a "mouthpiece" for their movements.
Varadkar says US is no longer 'reliable political and economic partner’ to Europe
Former taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said it is "no longer the case" that the US is a "reliable political and economic partner" to Europe.
He also said the EU should be "generous" to the UK and "willing to make concessions" in the current negotiations as "Europe needs Britain" as a security and defence partner.
Mr Varadkar made the comments on LBC’s Tonight with Andrew Marr.
He also told Mr Marr there would be "no harm in dusting down the old backstop" agreement between the EU and UK to "give a boost to the British economy".
Abroad
In the UK, Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has been playing down the threat of Reform UK to her party as Nigel Farage's party continues to enjoy increased popularity.
Russia launched a sweeping drone assault across Ukraine overnight into Sunday, targeting multiple regions, after US president Donald Trump cast doubt over Russian president Vladimir Putin’s willingness to end the war.
It comes after a positive meeting between Mr Trump and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy in St Peter's Basilica as the pair were in the Vatican for the funeral of Pope Francis.