Far-Right Activists Spark Unrest in Dublin and UK Cities with Disinformation
Dublin and several UK cities experienced violent unrest in 2023 and 2024 due to disinformation on social platforms. The unrest followed murders and was fuelled by far-right activists exploiting local issues and connecting with latent discontent.
In November 2023, an attempted murder in Dublin sparked violence and unrest. Disinformation spread on social media, including platforms like X, Telegram, and Facebook, contributed to the chaos. The perpetrators, like many before them, targeted their local areas, where victims were easier to identify.
Months later, in July 2024, the murder of three young girls in Southport ignited riots across 27 UK towns and cities. Once again, disinformation on social media played a significant role. Extreme-right groups rapidly disseminated false information and coordinated unrest using both mainstream and alternative online platforms.
Experts warn that far-right activists are focusing on local activism and attempting to infiltrate local anti-migrant campaigns. Deprived communities are particularly vulnerable to targeted messaging from small numbers of activists. The Irish and British far right continue to use decentralised Telegram channels, Facebook groups, and X accounts to spread resonant messages and mobilise their target audiences.
Authorities in the UK and Ireland are combating disinformation and far-right extremism. They are regulating online platforms, deploying fact-checkers, and promoting educational efforts to prevent unrest. Despite ongoing efforts, the sub-national organisation of radical political actors on social media remains a challenge.
