Philip Dwyer
Dwyer in 2020
Born1967 or 1968 (age 55–56)
OccupationProperty manager
Known forAnti-immigration activism
Political partyIreland First
Other political
affiliations		National Party (c. 2016 to 2022)

Philip Dwyer (born 1967 or 1968)[1] is an Irish far-right anti-immigration activist.[1][2][3] A member of the Ireland First political party led by Derek Blighe,[4] Dwyer previously stood in Dublin South West for the National Party in the 2020 general election.[5] He is a self-styled citizen journalist and has been a regular participant and speaker at anti-immigration protests across Ireland in 2022-23.[6] He has also campaigned against lockdowns, COVID-19 vaccines, and LGBT "ideology". He is known for confronting politicians and others on the street while filming the encounters using a selfie-stick.[7]

Activism

Dwyer stood as a candidate for the National Party in the 2020 Irish general election where he achieved 508 first-preference votes or 0.8% of the vote.[5] Dwyer formed the "Men of Ireland Trek" in 2020 which went on hiking expeditions in Ireland.[8]

Dwyer faced criticism when he laid a wreath from “the Men of Ireland” at the grave of Ashling Murphy, the Tullamore schoolteacher who was killed in January 2022.[9] He then gave a speech at the graveside, saying Murphy's death had been “used as a weapon” by the government, media and NGOs to “distort the truth” about her killing.[9] Dwyer announced he had been expelled from the National Party due to his involvement in the stunt.[10][11] His departure was described in the Irish Times as part of "an internal quarrel".[11][2] The Phoenix reported that Dwyer was seen as a rival to Justin Barrett's leadership of the party, having "built up a vibrant following with his live-streaming and Men of Ireland hikes". It was reported that Barrett expelled Dwyer at a party meeting in the Killeshin Hotel, Portlaoise, in February 2022. This led to "rancour" and "some resignations".[12]

Dwyer was an active participant in anti-immigration protests at East Wall, Dublin in winter 2022 where he filmed live streams warning against the "invasion of Ireland".[9] Accompanying each video was a link where viewers can become paid subscribers to support him.[13] He has travelled to similar anti-immigration protests across Ireland. Dwyer regularly shares reports of alleged incidents involving migrants, or the persecution of protestors, often without any evidence.[14]

Now a member of Ireland First,[4] Dwyer first met its leader Derek Blighe on a hike on Djouce Mountain in County Wicklow, where Blighe impressed him by getting to the summit even though he was on crutches.[8] Dwyer has spoken at Ireland First rallies.[15]

Attention was drawn by TheJournal.ie to his profits generated from his activism when Blighe promoted his Telegram and YouTube channel at the anti-immigrant protests in Finglas. He makes money from PayPal, YouTube superchat and he has a Subscribestar page offering "exclusive digital content" for a monthly fee.[16]

In October 2023, Dwyer was involved in a confrontation during a protest in Clondalkin with activist Darragh Adelaide, who is Black Irish. Dwyer asked Adelaide to participate in an interview, and Adelaide responded in fluent Irish. Dwyer was unable to respond in turn, instead asking if he was "sent by an NGO". The incident, captured on video, later went viral online.[17]

Dwyer has reportedly shared more than a dozen antisemitic posts on Telegram, some claiming that Jews control the Western world, that immigration is a Jewish plot, and that "Judaism at it’s [sic] core is about the Genocide of non-Jews". TheJournal.ie said that his X account does not publish such antisemitic content but has promoted the unbanning of white nationalist Nick Fuentes, who holds antisemitic views.[18]

2023 Dublin riot

Dwyer spread a false rumour on 23 November that a girl who had been stabbed in Dublin earlier that day had died.[19] He went to the Spire and livestreamed the riots on Twitter, making xenophobic comments.[19]

In May 1998, Dwyer appeared in court after breaking an opposing player's jaw during a game of hurling. He paid compensation to the victim and was released in line with the probation act.[20]

In May 2010 Dwyer was fired from his job as a postman with An Post for "dereliction of duty and for failing to comply with their instructions" after several instances in which he kicked dogs while on the job, as well as failing to come to work.[21][22] Dwyer appealed the matter before a Labour court in September 2012.[21][22] The tribunal ultimately ruled against Dwyer.[7]

In March 2023, Dwyer was filmed arguing with a Muslim taxi driver and accusing the man of "hating Ireland".[10]

On 14 March 2023, Dwyer was brought before Tallaght District Court in Dublin; he was charged with engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour at a children's crèche on the Grange Road, Dublin 16 on 30 June 2021. Dwyer accused the crèche of promoting "LGBT Ideology" after spotting a poster featuring a rainbow in the window.[3]

Personal life

In 2020, Dwyer was described on the National Party's website as "a property manager from Tallaght" and "father of three".[6][9] While also describing him as "deeply committed to promoting Irish culture and heritage",[9] a number of outlets noted the "irony" of Dwyer's inability to speak Irish.[17][23]

References

  1. 1 2 O'Connell, Patrick (19 March 2023). "Far-right dog-kicker charged after confronting Dublin crèche over kids' rainbow painting". Sunday World. Retrieved 19 May 2023. Dwyer is one of the most prominent online activists aligned with Ireland's far-right anti-immigrant movement.
  2. 1 2 Gallagher, Conor (3 December 2022). "This is going in a bad direction': Struggle to control narrative over asylum seeker protests in East Wall". The Irish Times. Retrieved 19 May 2023. Other far-right activists who travelled to East Wall include Philip Dwyer, who left the anti-immigration National Party earlier this year following an internal quarrel. He received widespread criticism in February after making a speech at the graveside of Ashling Murphy who was murdered in Co Offaly last year.
  3. 1 2 Walsh, Andrew (15 May 2023). "Man arrested following far-right attack on homeless refugee shelter". Hot Press. Retrieved 19 May 2023. Far-right agitator Philip Dwyer was believed to have led the initial protest, a self-titled "citizen journalist" with a history of kicking dogs who was recently charged with threatening staff at a crèche about a 'rainbow poster'.
  4. 1 2 "Incitement To Hate Consequences". The Phoenix. 29 June 2023. Retrieved 5 October 2023. Members of the far right, Ireland First's Philip Dwyer and Derek Blighe
  5. 1 2 "ElectionsIreland.org: Philip Dwyer". electionsireland.org. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
  6. 1 2 Michael, Neil (2022-12-04). "How far-right propaganda in Ireland 'weaponises legitimate social issues'". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
  7. 1 2 Sherry, Alan (22 November 2022). "East Wall protesters say it's a 'culture war' as they lash out at tampons in male toilets". Sunday World. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
  8. 1 2 "The making of a far-right agitator: From Irish emigrant to anti-refugee extremist". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 Donelly, Beau (27 November 2022). "The right-wing activists who flocked to East Wall protests and fuel misinformation". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
  10. 1 2 Iniúchadh TG4 - Céad Míle Fáilte? | Player | TG4 | Irish Television Channel, Súil Eile, retrieved 2023-05-18
  11. 1 2 Hosford, Paul (29 July 2023). "The National Party's gold bars signal a disturbing reality about far-right groups in Ireland". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 5 October 2023. Prominent party member Philip Dwyer was removed from the party after a vigil was held at the grave of murdered schoolteacher Aisling Murphy, though Mr Dwyer would claim that this was a pretense used to oust him after he raised issues about inaction within the party.
  12. ↑ "'Nazis And Nutters'". The Phoenix. 1 December 2022. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
  13. ↑ Connor, Ciarán O' (2022-12-04). "Ireland's far-right pushes its 'invasion' propaganda". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
  14. ↑ McAuley, Eimer (2023-02-05). "Far right protesters aren't just in it for the cause - there's also money to be made". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
  15. ↑ "November Rally - Killarney (Philip Dwyer)". Ireland First. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
  16. ↑ McAuley, Eimer (2023-02-05). "Far right protesters aren't just in it for the cause - there's also money to be made". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
  17. 1 2 Matthews, Jane (4 October 2023). "'It shows the irony': Irish speaker on using Gaeilge to confront anti-immigrant protesters". MSN / TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
  18. ↑ Raymond, Shane (2023-11-15). "Anti-immigration groups use Israel-Gaza violence to push antisemitism and Islamophobia online". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 2023-11-25.
  19. 1 2 Ryan, Órla; O'Connor, Niall; Raymond, Shane; Ryan, Nicky (2023-11-24). "Dublin riots: How a mob in the capital turned to looting, arson and calls to kill". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
  20. ↑ "Hurler broke opponent's jaw". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2023-11-09.
  21. 1 2 "Postman tells tribunal he only kicked dog after attack". Independent.ie. 2012-09-21. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
  22. 1 2 Murphy, Cormac (21 September 2021). "I kicked dog because I'm afraid of them - postman". The Herald. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
  23. ↑ Healy, Alannah Ita (12 October 2023). "Let's talk about... Far-right hypocrisy". Roscommon People.
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