‘No place for hate here’: Council asks for unity ahead of Letterkenny demonstrations

Ahead of two demonstrations in Letterkenny on Saturday, Donegal County Council has issued a plea to people to “ensure that Donegal remains a place where everyone feels safe and valued”.

The Council issued a statement in the wake of a discussion on the matter at a meeting on Monday.

A ‘peaceful assembly’ has been organised for Saturday at 1pm at the Market Square in Letterkenny. Organisers say that the gathering has been “organised by a group of concerned Letterkenny people who are fed up with the recent brutal physical attacks and the way their town has been drastically changed over the years”.

The United Against Racism Donegal group has also organised an event, ‘Rally Against Racism”, a counter-protest which will take place at 12 noon.

“Racism has no place in Irish society,” they say. “The people of Donegal have welcomed those who have escaped conflict, oppression, climate, and economic catastrophe to Ireland in search of safety and a better life. Ireland also has obligations to this under domestic and European law.”

As of April 16, there were 2071 people, including 892 children, residing in 30 IPAS centres in Donegal.

In 2024, Donegal County Council distributed 1.98 million in funding for critical capital projects across the county that benefit the wider community. This funding was delivered to recognise the significant role that Donegal communities have played in welcoming new arrivals from Ukraine and other countries, and to support community infrastructure and enhance local services.

In a statement following Monday’s meeting, the Council said: “Donegal is a county where everyone belongs. We are committed to integration, inclusion, equality, and respect for all communities. Through our Black and Minority Ethnic Inclusion Strategy, we send a clear message: there is no place for hate here — only welcome, respect, and a shared sense of community.”

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The Council encourages residents to continue building positive relationships across all communities and to uphold the values of kindness, fairness, and unity that define Donegal.