DUBLIN — Dublin City Council (DCC) is considering how to address a campaign by anti-immigration groups involving the widespread erection of tricolour flags on lampposts across the capital. The council faces a complex situation, as there are no explicit rules against flying the national flag, and council staff are reportedly reluctant to remove them.
Over the summer, lines of tricolours have appeared in various parts of Dublin, including Ballyfermot, Coolock, Finglas, and the north and south inner city. This campaign, which has been publicly supported by known anti-immigration campaigners, is seen by some as an attempt to “intimidate and mark territory.”
DCC has stated it is “considering an appropriate response” and is engaging with relevant stakeholders. While they have clarified that written permission from the Public Lighting Services is required to erect flags on lampposts, officials are finding a solution challenging. The practice is often seen during major sporting events, making it difficult to address in this specific context.
In response, several public representatives have raised the issue. Labour Councillor Darragh Moriarty submitted a written question to the council’s Chief Executive, calling the practice the “weaponisation of the tricolour by far-right and malicious agitators.” He urged the council to “face head on” this “attempted capture of our flag for hateful intent.”
Similarly, Fine Gael Councillor Declan Flanagan asked the Chief Executive to instruct staff to remove the flags, stating he believes they are being used “outside of the official means to mark territory and homogenise spaces.”
Residents from the North Strand in the north inner city have also written to councillors requesting the removal of the flags. In their letter, they stated that the flags “dishonour the Flag by flouting official protocol,” are in breach of council rules, and represent an “attempt by a minority to make a political statement outside of the normal democratic process.”
However, some councillors support the campaign. In an Instagram video, Councillor Malachy Steenson, who represents the north inner city, praised his team for “getting our flag up all the way down the North Strand and Sheriff Street.” He commented, “We have taken our flag back from those who are intent on destroying our country and we are proud to fly it.”
Councillor Gavin Pepper, representing the Finglas-Ballymun area, while not directly involved, expressed his full support for the campaign. “I think they should be all over the city and I don’t think they should be took down at all,” he said. “I’m proud of my country… It should be in every street, on every lamppost, up high and that’s the way it should be. Irish flags everywhere.”
