Report: Far-right influence 'disproportionate'
The far-right in Ireland has used online amplification, visible protests, and repeated narratives to disproportionately influence public debate, according to a new report.
Ireland in Focus 2025, Mind the Gap, was produced by the Hope and Courage Collective (HCC).
HCC is an organisation which “works with communities, workplaces, and institutions across Ireland to strengthen democracy and build collective resilience in the face of rising far-right hate and disinformation”.
The report found that while the far-right has not secured broad public support, it is shaping national conversations. It found that its influence is exercised through narrative and political pressure, but that its electoral success has remained limited.
Far-right tactics have shifted from what it called “scarcity framing” - highlighting shortages in society such as housing or employment - to grievance-based, identity-driven mobilisation - narratives around demographic replacement for instance.
However, a study carried out by HCC in 2025 found public attitudes were in general becoming more inclusive year-on-year, despite these narrative manipulations.
For instance, 66% of respondents said immigrants contribute positively to Irish culture and community, up 2% compared to 2024.
The majority - 79% - believed working-class people are struggling due to systemic inequality, again up 2% compared to the year before.
Transgender people are also broadly supported, with 75% of people thinking they should be free to live their lives, compared to 70% in 2024.
Wealthy people were also generally seen - 69% - as being successful because they were given more opportunities than others. This was up by 6% compared to 2024.
Finally, 80% of people agreed that Black, Asian, and minority ethnic communities face greater barriers to success than white people, which was another increase, up 5% compared to 2024.
The report also highlighted the large number of community mobilisations across the country to counter far-right demonstrations and activity, such as weekly demonstrations in Cork city last summer.
Other actions highlighted took place in Waterford, Limerick, Dundalk, and Dublin.
Edel McGinley, Executive Director of HCC said the report was “telling a very different story than the one we have been fed for the past few years”.
“It tells us that the majority of people reject far-right narratives and have real empathy and support across a range of issues.
“The report is a warning that political actions and rhetoric that echo or adopt far-right framing risk alienating progressive voters and actually reinforces the narratives many seek to counter,” she said.