Angry Confrontations At Anti-Racism Rally in Rooskey

There have been angry confrontations at a 'No to Racism' rally in Rooskey, County Roscommon.

Demonstrators and members of the public engaged in a number of heated arguments after the event got underway this lunchtime.

The event comes after a number of alleged arson attacks at the Shannon Key West Hotel – which has been earmarked as a location for a future Direct Provision centre.

Around 60 people attended the rally in the town this afternoon.

Demonstrators confront each other at a 'Love Rooskey: No to Racism: Asylum Seekers Welcome' Rally in Rooskey, Roscommon. Image: Niall Carson/PA Wire/PA Images

Rally organiser Eamonn Crudden said the rally aimed to let asylum seekers know they are welcome in the town.

However some locals confronted the protesters insisting that opposition to the planned centre is legitimate – and accusing them of portraying the town itself as racist.

Mr Crudden said the event aimed to show the wider public that locals do not support the alleged arson attacks.

“We don’t want that to be the thing that stays in people’s minds about this area,” he said.

“There are an enormous amount of very, very decent people here that are absolutely horrified by these attacks.”