A report by the Hope and Courage Collective, which works to build resilience in communities against rising far-right hate and disinformation, has found a widening gap between public attitudes and political discourse.
The report, 'Ireland in Focus 2025, Mind the Gap', shows that a relatively small number of far-right actors disproportionately influence public debate through online amplification, visible protests, and repeated narratives.
It says public attitudes are becoming steadily more inclusive, but that political rhetoric risks legitimising scapegoating and that the far-right had not secured broad public support, but "is shaping the conversation.
The report found that multiple communities in Ireland had been systematically targeted by far-right and anti-immigrant hostility and that people seeking asylum, ethnic minorities and migrants, had been among the most consistently targeted".
LGBTI+ communities have experienced hostility contributing to a climate where violence is normalised" and women have consistently been in focus, because far-right narratives often position themselves as 'protecting women'.
Workers and public services have also been "drawn into the line of fire" it says.
Public representatives threatened
Civil society organisations have increasingly been framed as a threat, and politicians and public representatives and have been subject to escalating harassment and intimidation.
The report has identified a strategic shift in messaging from system-focused narratives such as "Ireland is full" toward more explicit identity-based claims like "Irish Lives Matter."
It says newer grievance-driven narratives are being deployed to sustain mobilisation in the absence of widespread support.
Symbolic actions, including the appropriation of national symbols like the Irish tricolour, have been used to project a sense of momentum beyond the movement’s actual size.
The findings draw on nationally representative survey data and real-time analysis.
Year-on-year datasets tracking changes in public sentiment in Ireland between 2024 and 2025 show that 66% agree that immigrants contribute positively to Irish culture and community, which is up 2% up from 64% in 2024.
79% believe working-class people are struggling due to systemic inequality which is also up 2% from 77% in 2024.
Those who believe wealthy people are successful because they were given more opportunities than others has risen from 63% in 2024 to 69% in 2025.
The number of people who support the freedom of transgender people to live their lives is up 5% up from 70% in 2024.
80% agree that Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities face greater barriers to success than white people, up 5% up from 75% in 2024.
Solutions, without fear, violence, or scapegoating
The report shows that the majority of people reject far-right narratives, and have real empathy and support across a range of issues according to Executive Director of Hope and Courage Collective Edel McGinley.
"This report tells a very different story than the one we have been fed for the past few years. People just want leadership that brings solutions, without fear, violence, or scapegoating," she said.
Ms McGinley added that the report tells a very different story "than the one we have been fed for the past few years".
"It tells us that people just want leadership that brings solutions, without fear, violence, or scapegoating".
She stressed "the power of community" and how people from all walks of life have shown up in small and big ways to counter hate.
"The responses documented demonstrate just how much far-right influence is contested. It shows communities across Ireland are actively building inclusive, resilient, and welcoming places and are stepping up during moments of crisis".
