Aoife Gallagher

Clout, kicks and clicks: Analysing the surge in anti-migrant harassment and violence in Ireland Dublin riots in Nov 2023 exposed Ireland's anti-immigration violence, which has since surged, with 61 incidents recorded from May to August 2024.

A year ago (to the day), we released research documenting 60+ incidents of anti-migrant violence, harassment and intimidation over the space of 3 and half months.

Nolan was responsible for 40% of these incidents.

www.isdglobal.org/digital_disp...

YouTuber becomes first person jailed for posts exposing identities of asylum seekers Paul Nolan, 36, stood outside an IPAS centre, goading and recording applicants.

Paul Nolan has finally been jailed. He has spent the last 18 months harassing and intimidating asylum seekers and posting evidence of his crimes online under his own name. Glad to see this happen but unsure why it took so long.

jrnl.ie/6827359

Irish Government plans to stop illegal immigrants getting free social housing A new law banning the controversial practice is to be published in the Autumn and will be presented to the Dail in the coming months

Fucking disgusting. Throwing the most vulnerable people under the bus to dodge taking any sort of real action on housing.
the place is overrun with empty and derelict homes and landlords are outbidding everybody and this loser minister targeting social housing www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-n...

Excerpt from the article: "The anti-immigrant activists also carried a flag of Jesus of Nazareth – possibly history’s most famous refugee - and Welsh-born immigrant, St Patrick, much to the mirth of onlookers, who posted dozens of bemused videos on Galwegian social media channels regarding the marchers’ misspelled ‘Galimh’ banner. United Irishmen, crowned harps, ‘Erin go bragh’ and Sacred Heart flags were also flown by marchers, who played songs by lifelong socialist, Luke Kelly, amplified through loudhailers. One woman was dressed up as Anglo-Irish nationalist and socialist revolutionary, Constance Markievicz."

"Visitors stage anti-migrant march in Galway"

Other journalists should take notes on reporting from Maxim Kelly.

www.advertiser.ie/galway/artic...

From Online Incitement to Real World Violence with Aoife Gallagher - The Active Measures Newsletter Podcast This week, hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson are joined by Aoife Gallagher, a senior analyst at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, for a conversation about recent online incitement against migrants...

Had a great chat with @drmarkjacobson.bsky.social and Jim Ludes for their Active Measures Newsletter podcast about recent developments in anti-migrant activity, both in the Republic and the north of Ireland. Give it a listen here: omny.fm/shows/active...

From Online Incitement to Real World Violence with Aoife Gallagher - The Active Measures Newsletter Podcast This week, hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson are joined by Aoife Gallagher, a senior analyst at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, for a conversation about recent online incitement against migrants...

On this week's Active Measures Newsletter Podcast, Jim Ludes and I are joined by @aoifegall.bsky.social of @isdglobal.org for a conversation about recent online incitement against migrants in Ireland manifesting in real-world violence #disinformation #Ireland #propaganda.

omny.fm/shows/active...

Emerging cross-border dynamics in Ireland's anti-migrant mobilisation Anti-migrant sentiments have united former foes on both sides of the Irish border. Northern Irish Loyalists and Irish Republicans have voiced online support for each other and crossed the Irish border...

Anti-migrant narratives are uniting longstanding foes on both sides of the Irish border, while far-right actors from overseas are seizing on the opportunity to spread dissent and polarisation 👇 www.isdglobal.org/digital_disp...

Emerging cross-border dynamics in Ireland's anti-migrant mobilisation Anti-migrant sentiments have united former foes on both sides of the Irish border. Northern Irish Loyalists and Irish Republicans have voiced online support for each other and crossed the Irish border...

New from my colleague @disinfozo.bsky.social at @isdglobal.org examining the emerging alliances between Irish far-right groups (so called "nationalists") south of the border with Northern Irish loyalists and the British far-right:
www.isdglobal.org/digital_disp...

As we say in the piece, this cycle of online incitement resulting in offline violence is becoming alarmingly familiar and almost predictable for people who monitor online extremist groups. Social media platforms need to be held accountable for failing at the basics time and time again.

Research from us looking at how social media platforms once again failed to take action on content inciting violence in Northern Ireland last week

Mayo Pride apologises for 'Child of Drag' post and has reviewed social media policy The joke image was posted “in a spirit of fun, not mockery”, Mayo Pride told The Journal.

I, for one, think this is gas.

www.thejournal.ie/child-of-dra...

Terror without ideology? The rise of nihilistic violence – An ISD Investigation ISD examines how online nihilistic communities inspire violence and challenge terrorism frameworks built around ideological threats.

A rise in violent attacks—from US school shootings to stabbings in Sweden—resembles terrorism or extremist violence, but it isn’t actually driven by any ideology. ISD’s new Investigation explores the rise of nihilistic violence and the online communities fueling it. www.isdglobal.org/digital_disp...

Uisce Faoi Thalamh: Topic Analysis The the final installment of Uisce Faoi Thalamh provides an in-depth narrative analysis of the leading topics of discussions within this mis- and disinformation ecosystem in Ireland.

Table is from page 7 of this report FYI: www.isdglobal.org/isd-publicat...

Table showing most shared media organisations per topic within the Irish mis- and disinformation ecosystem with Gript garnering more than double the shares than the next leading outlet (Irish Times)

Worth reminding people that our 2023 landscape mapping of the Irish mis/disinfo ecosystem found that Gript is (by far) the outlet of choice for conspiracy theorists, racists and science deniers. Do you think this is because they uphold the standards & ethics of journalism? (Spoiler:it is not)

McGregor's 'dangerous Dublin' claim traces to gambling site list Conor McGregor appears to have based one of the key views he expressed during his St Patrick's Day White House visit on a ranking of European cities published by an online gambling company.

A survey-anyone site ranks cities.

A gambling site uses that output directly in a press release.

Media pick up the release, run headlines like 'Dublin among most dangerous cities in Europe.'

Twitter users add their spice - it ends up in the White House.

2025 infocycle.
www.rte.ie/news/primeti...

An overview of Israeli far-right extremism This Dispatch covers Israeli far-right extremism, including Kahanism, settler violence, far-right parties, and groups, with a focus on post-October 2023 developments.

ISD’s latest Dispatch tackles the various ideologies, groups and figures found in contemporary Israeli far-right extremism. ow.ly/Y0RR50UEnT5

A worthwhile reminder that the far right does not need political support to cause damage. Campaigns of harassment, intimidation and violence will continue to take place long after the dust from this election has settled.

Investigation: Political violence, harassment, intimidation & threats during Ireland's 2024 general election campaign A joint investigation by ISD and Hope and Courage Collective documenting violent and concerning incidents in the lead-up to Ireland's 2024 general election.

ICYMI: We released a joint investigation with the Hope and Courage Collective documenting 55 incidents of political violence, harassment, intimidation and threats during the GE campaign across a spectrum of activity. @ciaranoconnor.bsky.social @isdglobal.bsky.social www.isdglobal.org/digital_disp...

Investigation: Political violence, harassment, intimidation & threats during Ireland's 2024 general election campaign A joint investigation by ISD and Hope and Courage Collective documenting violent and concerning incidents in the lead-up to Ireland's 2024 general election.

We've released a joint report with the Hope & Courage Collective that documented over 50 incidents of harassment, threats and abuse against candidates & canvassers during the #GeneralElection2024 #ge24 campaign. | @isdglobal.bsky.social

www.isdglobal.org/digital_disp...

Some top lines ⬇️

The lesson from the election should not be ignoring the threat of extremism because it's still widely unpopular but to continue to fight for unity in our communities to minimise it even further. Though, I'm not holding my breath for op-ed writers to see it that way.

Analysing Claims of Electoral Interference During the Irish Local and European Elections False claims of election interference in Ireland’s June elections failed to gain traction, but November’s general election may be a new opportunity for far-right activists.

With rhetoric mirroring the US “Stop the Steal” movement, claims of election fraud in Ireland’s local & European elections gained millions of views. ISD’s new report analyses the trends and how they may affect Ireland’s upcoming general election. ow.ly/Nc0c50UfOiv

Who’s behind a website and social media accounts ratcheting up support for anti-immigration candidates standing in Ireland? - Dublin Inquirer Set up in response to events in “the fall of 2022”, they’ve been seeking “digital canvassers” to back candidates listed on the website.

Who’s behind a website and social media accounts ratcheting up support for anti-immigration candidates standing in Ireland? Read more here: dublininquirer.com/2024/11/27/w...

TikTok fails to detect disinformation ahead of Irish general election, finds report Global Witness said that there is a blind spot in TikTok's moderation system when it comes to the Irish language

TikTok approved ads containing harmful disinformation and voter suppression messages relating to the Irish general election, according to an investigation by campaign group Global Witness

www.businesspost.ie/news/tiktok-...

With so many far-right candidates running, ‘rigged election’ conspiracy theories v. likely (eg. ‘illegals’ voting illegally; missing ballot boxes at counts)
Crucial for media to find & rebut claims as lies *before* they go viral
• robustly
• concisely
• swiftly
#GE24

The Indo Daily: Election misinformation and disinformation on the rise in Ireland With days to go before the general election, social media is awash with alarming claims about the validity of our election process.

I'm on the Indo Daily today speaking about our analysis. Have a listen www.independent.ie/podcasts/the...

How the far right is weaponising AI-generated content in Europe Experts say fake images raising fears around issues such as immigration have proliferated since EU elections

"The use of generative AI surged among the country’s emergent far-right movement after riots in Dublin in 2023."

We shared some research w/@theguardian.com about the use of GenAI among FR entities in Ireland. | @isdglobal.bsky.social

www.theguardian.com/technology/2...

Analysing Claims of Electoral Interference During the Irish Local and European Elections False claims of election interference in Ireland’s June elections failed to gain traction, but November’s general election may be a new opportunity for far-right activists.

New report by the smart people at ISD finds echoes of “stop the steal” before the the June euro and local elections in conspiratorial chatter about “voter harvesting”, “foreign interference”, and “polling station irregularities” www.isdglobal.org/isd-publicat...

Irish conspiracy theories about vote-rigging during June elections peaked around polling day A report has warned that this week’s general election could see similar claims by the far-right.

With the regulatory landscape in flux, and legislation meant to curb the spread of mis and disinfo during elections not yet enacted, the ability of the Irish state to push back against threats to electoral integrity and democracy remains dangerously ineffective. www.thejournal.ie/ireland-elec...

Analysing Claims of Electoral Interference During the Irish Local and European Elections False claims of election interference in Ireland’s June elections failed to gain traction, but November’s general election may be a new opportunity for far-right activists.

Most of the emphasis for electoral interference claims during the June elections centred on the voting rights of non-citizens in local elections, ISD has since seen a shift to targeting the voting rights of “new citizens” ahead of the general election this Friday. www.isdglobal.org/isd-publicat...