The Methodist Church in Ireland is appalled by the acts of violence on the streets of Dublin on Thursday.

We are horrified by the attack on the children and childcare worker outside a school in the afternoon. We pray for the full recovery of all those injured.

We are also disgusted that there are those that sought to use this incident as an excuse for causing violence and disorder in the city on Thursday evening. 

We are appalled at the actions of far right elements in our society who immediately used online networks to bring more people onto the streets to exercise aggression that made the city unsafe, destroyed property and infrastructure and endangered life. The attacks on the Fire Brigade and Gardaí are particularly appalling.

Far right groups have been active at protests at libraries and temporary accommodation centres and feel emboldened. We call on the Minister of Justice, Garda Commissioner and our politicians to ensure a robust response.

The Methodist Church has previously spoken about the danger of racist language and aggression. We stand against all narratives that divide people on the basis of race and nationality or that undermine social cohesion and law and order. 

We grapple with having seen our society at its ugliest and yet we have also seen the best in those who risked their personal safety by standing in the way of harm to the children. As a multi-ethnic church, we have been enriched by the diversity of Ireland. It is important to reiterate that each one who has made Ireland their home belongs here.

Rev David Turtle
President of the Methodist Church in Ireland

Rev Steven Foster
Chair of the Southern Executive of the Council on Social Responsibility

ENDS