Protesters marched through Dublin on Thursday to oppose military expenditure and European leaders gathering for the European Political Community summit.
Approximately 1,000 demonstrators gathered at the Spire on O’Connell Street before marching toward Molesworth Street, The Irish Times reported. The demonstration drew a heavy Garda presence, with authorities blocking access to streets near the National Gallery where international officials attended a formal dinner. The demonstration was organized by the Irish Anti-War Movement in collaboration with the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign and People Before Profit, according to The Journal.
Demonstrators chanted slogans against military spending while demanding the protection of Ireland’s traditional neutrality. People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd-Barrett addressed the crowd, arguing that Ireland should prioritize peace negotiations rather than military escalation.
“Young Ukrainians and young Russians are being conscripted into a hopeless war,” said Boyd-Barrett. “A neutral country like Ireland should be proposing peace and not escalating expenditure on war.”
Security remained tight across the capital throughout the day as roughly 5,000 Gardaí deployed for the summit, the Irish Examiner reported. Authorities established cordons, closed laneways, and monitored the streets with public order units and a Garda helicopter.
Earlier in the day, a separate demonstration organized by Mothers Against Genocide took place on Dame Street before moving through Westmoreland Street and Grafton Street.
Gardaí confirmed that two men were arrested during that protest for public order offenses under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994. One of the men was released pending an Adult Caution, while the second remained detained.
During the evening rally, protesters carrying Palestinian flags and Irish tricolours directed chants at government officials, including Taoiseach Micheál Martin. Demonstrators also condemned the presence of US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Dublin, according to The Journal.
“I've come out here because I am witnessing every single day murder of little babies in Palestine, in Gaza,” Geraldine Smyth, who travelled from Belfast for the protest, said.
Protesters specifically called on the Irish government to safeguard the Triple Lock mechanism governing the deployment of Defense Forces overseas. The anti-war demonstrations highlighted public opposition to military expenditure and concerns regarding neutrality amid the European Political Community summit in Dublin. “by force, culminating in the invasion of Ukraine” European Council President Antonio Costa said Russia had decided to undermine stability, the Irish Independent reported.
EU High Representative Kaja Kallas also discussed forthcoming sanctions packages targeting Russia ahead of the special European Council summit scheduled for November 26-27.
Related reading
- North American Airports Rank Most and Least Expensive for 2026
- WVU Beats Mercer 75-61 Despite Early Offensive Struggles
- Garth Brooks Adds Extra Belfast Date as Irish Tour Tickets Sell Out Fast (archyde.com)
- Ukraine captures first Indonesian prisoner of war as Russia steps up foreign recruitment (newsylist.com)