The US Department of State has named the November 2023 riots in Dublin as an incident of “white-identity terrorism” which was fuelled by “Irish white supremacists and ultranationalists”.
Named in the latest edition of the department’s Country Reports on Terrorism, the Dublin riots were blamed on the “online spread of disinformation” by “Irish white supremacists and ultranationalists”.
The report is produced annually by the department and presented to Congress, monitoring various terrorist attacks and movements worldwide.
More: Forty-two ‘persons of interest’ in Dublin riots identified after fresh appeal
The riots saw the Republic named as one of six countries to have been impacted by “white-identity terrorism” (WIT) or “racially or ethnically motivated violent extremism” (REMVE).
Other countries named included Brazil, Hungary, the US, Mexico and Japan.
“In November, Irish white supremacists and ultranationalists online spread disinformation regarding the nationality of a stabbing suspect arrested after stabbing two adults and three children,” the report said.
“This anti-immigrant disinformation led to three days of white supremacist rioting in Dublin, inuring police and bystanders.”
It added that REMVE attacks constituted a “growing and transnational threat” to the US and its allies.
“REMVE actors are increasingly adept at exploiting social media platforms, online gaming platforms, gaming-adjacent platforms, smaller websites with targeted audiences, and encrypted chat applications.”
“They use these means to recruit new followers, plan and rally ideological support, and disseminate materials that contribute to radicalization and mobilization to violence.
“Attacks often are carried out by individuals who are part of anonymous online communities but lack formal ties to traditionally organized groups.”
Rioting broke out in the Irish capital after three children and a care worker were injured in an attack outside a primary school and creche on Parnell Square East.
A Garda car, buses and a Luas tram were set on fire, shops were looted and infrastructure, such as traffic lights, was damaged during the riot.
Last month, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said the decision to publish 99 photographs of ‘persons of interest’ in the riots had led to the identification of 90 people.
