Anti-vaccine protests take place in Dublin and Belfast

ireland
Anti-Vaccine Protests Take Place In Dublin And Belfast
Protesters during a anti-restriction and anti-vaccine protest march over O'Connell Bridge in Dublin. Photo: Niall Carson/PA
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By Cate McCurry, PA

Far-right activists and anti-vaccine protesters have held a demonstration in Dublin against Covid-19 jabs and ongoing restrictions in Ireland.

Around 1,500 protesters gathered outside Custom House in Dublin, as roads were blocked and traffic forced to a standstill.

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Protesters held anti-vaccine signs and chanted “freedom” as they walked through the city.

Others held placards with anti-lockdown messages, while others waved Irish flags, Irish county flags as well as American and Polish flags.

Coronavirus – Sat Jul 24, 2021
Protesters during an anti-restriction protest outside the Custom House in Dublin. Photo: Niall Carson/PA

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Protesters gathered at Custom House Quay before making their way along O’Connell Street and then to Government Buildings where a number of speeches took place.

Maskless demonstrators also spoke out against the Covid certs being rolled out for indoor dining and international travel.

A large Garda operation was in place throughout the city, which included public order unit vans as well as Garda prison vans on standby.

An anti-vaccine protester told the crowd: “If people are coming to your door then you have to protect yourself from the needle because it’s coming and they are coming for your kids.

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Coronavirus – Sat Jul 24, 2021
Prof Dolores Cahill has her picture taken during an anti-restriction protest outside the Custom House in Dublin. Photo: Niall Carson/PA

“You have to stand up because it’s war.

“They are coming to kill you and that’s the end of it.”

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The speaker also claimed the vaccine programme was “genocide”.

Among those taking part in the protest was prominent anti-lockdown campaigner Dolores Cahill.

Prof Cahill, a University College Dublin professor who ran as an independent candidate in the recent Dublin Bay South by-election, was seen taking selfies with a number of other demonstrators.

Belfast protest

A similar demonstration also took place in Belfast.

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Hundreds of anti-lockdown and anti-vaccine protesters marched through the city centre.

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Many held placards and signs displaying anti-vaccine messages.

The rally moved on to Botanic Gardens where a number of speeches took place.

The PSNI observed the event and maintained a low-key presence but made demonstrators aware they were taking part in an illegal protest.

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