The Garda Commissioner has said inquiries are ongoing into what he described as a small number of far-right individuals who have used public protests to pursue their own sinister agendas, disrupting and causing fear and concern in communities.

Speaking at a garda graduation ceremony in Templemore, Drew Harris said that while most protests are peaceful, gardaí are aware of what is happening on the ground and in the background, and are continuing their inquiries into groups who have alternative motives.

He said such motives are driven by prejudice and have a sinister agenda, adding that gardaí will act when there is a breach of the criminal law.

A number of demonstrations have taken place recently against the housing of refugees and asylum seekers here.

Minister for Justice Simon Harris said it was important to note that communities across the country are welcoming people to Irish shores.

He said that while there have been protests, communities have also called out such behaviour.

He said the protests are causing chaos to the functioning of communities and are disrupting their work.

The minister said the Government will continue to support gardaí in their work in increasingly hostile environments, adding that they plan to bring the number of gardaí up from 14,100 to 15,000 this year.

He said there are also plans for body camera legislation and to strengthen the legislation on assault charges.

Increased garda presence

A Dublin group of volunteers working to welcome refugees and asylum seekers into their community, has said they would like to see a ramped-up garda presence at ongoing protests over the housing of international protection applicants, in order to protect people living at those centres.

Responding to comments made by Commissioner Harris, a spokesperson for East Wall Here for All said: "There's going to be some elements of that latching on to some of the protests but I think having more of a presence at these protests in general is really critical.

"I mean if protests are happening outside the centres when there's vulnerable people in centres, its definitely really important for them to make sure they don't get out of hand in any way.

"I think from our perspective, as a community group we would prefer to see any protests related to more housing, more services, more funding happening outside of the Dáil, that's really an appropriate location for those protests."

She said it was really important that groups formed to welcome refugees and asylum seekers into their communities: "We were a bunch of residents who really wanted to welcome the new residents of the ESB centre and that's why were formed to show solidarity and allyship and to make connections with those people in the centres."

She said practical supports through fundraising and donations had been particularly welcome.

A number of people are being housed at a Travellodge in Ballymun (Pic: RollingNews.ie)

'Responsibility' on Government to communicate

Earlier, the Chief Executive of the Irish Refugee Council said there is a "huge responsibility" on the Government to communicate with the Irish public and society about why people should be given protection here.

Speaking on RTÉ's Today with Claire Byrne, Nick Henderson said he supports counter protests happening in communities against these demonstrations.

"I think it very much works because these are local people coming together in their communities from all types of backgrounds and showing and demonstrating that their communities have had a history of welcoming people seeking refuge," he said.

"I think they are really essential and it is a really heartening process for us to observe."

Mr Henderson said the council will try to engage with those who may have worries and queries.

He said it is about explaining to someone that if they do have a concern about housing or resources, that people living in a hotel temporarily have nothing to do with that person's concerns.

He said people are coming to Ireland to seek sanctuary and safety, and it is important that this is highlighted.

"It is a human rights obligation, an ethical obligation," he said, adding that "wildly inaccurate information" is being circulated and that is being exploited by far-right groups.

Protesters blocked traffic at the M50 Ballymun junction last night (Pic: RollingNews.ie)

'They said I was a traitor'

An Independent Councillor for the Ballymun area in Dublin said a number of protesters gathered outside his home last night shouting obscenities.

Demonstrations have taken place against the housing of refugees and asylum seekers in a local Travelodge hotel.

Vincent Jackson said many parents in the area have kept their children home from school today after they were left "upset and distressed" over protests last night.

Speaking on the same programme, Mr Jackson said these demonstrators involve a small group who are being misguided and misfed information.

"I would ask the people who are involved in these protests to really have a good check on what they are doing and the consequences of their actions, because I would be fearful in the future ... that people could get hurt when people jump into frenzies," he said.

Mr Jackson said the group gathered outside his home after the protest and called him a traitor "for letting them down".

He said he is very worried that this type of behaviour can happen in this type of community and it is being replicated in other areas also.

Fórsa voices solidarity with refugees and asylum seekers

Fórsa, the largest public service union, has said it stands in solidarity with refugees and asylum seekers, and has criticised protests designed to intimidate those in direct provision and emergency accommodation.

National Secretary Richy Carrothers said the protests were staged by a "small number of people who have attempted to stoke fear and hatred in the community".

"Racism has no place in Irish society, and the trade union movement stands behind those who have escaped conflict, oppression, climate and economic catastrophe to come to Ireland in search of safety and a better life," Mr Carrothers said.

Fórsa said that intimidating people in direct provision would do nothing except scare vulnerable people and rip communities apart.

The union added that it supports policies to end direct provision and make it easier for refugees to access employment.

Additional reporting by Cathy Halloran, Brian O'Donovan and Eleanor Burnhill