Why I won’t Condemn The Coolock Riots With John McGuirk

In this episode, Niall Boylan speaks with John McGuirk from Gript Media about the recent riots in Coolock. The government is planning to convert the old Crown Paints factory into an accommodation center for asylum seekers, leading to significant unrest in the area. John McGuirk explains why he won’t condemn the riots, emphasizing the government’s failure to engage meaningfully with local communities and the broader issues of immigration policy.

John discusses the government’s failure to properly consult with communities before implementing large-scale asylum centers. He cites a memo indicating that such actions undermine social cohesion and cause unrest. “They say they’re engaging with locals, but if you believe telling locals it’s happening whether they like it or not is actually engaging, well, I assume they’re telling the truth,” he states.

The conversation touches on the different responses to protests based on the socio-economic status of the protestors. John points out, “Classism is the issue in Irish society that no one discusses. There is a huge difference between some college student called Finbar getting beaten by the Gardaí and somebody who comes from communities where drug problems are, speaks with a very thick Dublin working class accent, and protests migrants.”

John highlights the government’s strategy of placing asylum centers in areas where they believe it will do the least electoral damage, often targeting working-class areas. “The government’s approach has been to put these centres into areas where they feel that it’s not going to particularly damage them electorally as much,” he explains.

The discussion also covers media bias and its impact on public perception. John criticizes the media for holding the public accountable instead of the government. “So many of these people in the media, these weasels, seem to think it’s their job to hold the people to account on behalf of the state rather than the other way around,” he asserts.

Niall and John debate whether protests have any real impact, with John noting, “Protest only works to the extent that it generates political pressure that forces politicians to change their views.”

Join Niall and John as they explore the complexities surrounding the Coolock riots, the role of the government, and the challenges of discussing these issues openly in today’s media landscape.