Volunteers with Muslim Sisters of Éire have said they were subjected to intimidation and verbal abuse during their weekly soup run in Dublin over the weekend. The incident took place on O'Connell Street, where the group regularly provides food and hot meals to people experiencing homelessness.
According to the organisation, the evening began as usual but “took a deeply upsetting turn” as they were finishing their service near the General Post Office (GPO), where fuel protest activity has been ongoing.
Source: Muslim Sisters Of Eire, Instagram
A group of five or six individuals carrying Irish flags approached the volunteers and began shouting what the charity described as xenophobic remarks.
In a statement shared online, the group said the individuals told them that Ireland was “only for the Irish,” that they did not belong in the country, and that they should “go home." The situation escalated further when the organisation’s chairperson, Lorraine O’Connor, was directly targeted. Despite being from Coolock in Dublin, she was told to “get the hell out of this country” and that she did not belong “with that rag” on her head, referring to her hijab.
The charity said the incident was particularly distressing given their long history of service. In over 11 years of operating the soup run, they stated they had never previously encountered this level of hostility.
They also highlighted how the abuse appeared to question Ms O’Connor’s identity as an Irish woman because of her religious dress.
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Despite the confrontation, the group praised the response of those present. Members of the homeless community and others nearby intervened, speaking up in support of the volunteers and helping to calm the situation. Their actions, the organisation said, were a “beautiful show of solidarity” and helped prevent further escalation.
Eventually, the situation was brought under control after Garda Síochána arrived and dispersed the group involved.
The Muslim Sisters of Éire expressed gratitude to those who supported them and reaffirmed their commitment to continuing their work. They also shared a link to their statement, encouraging donations to help sustain their efforts in providing essential services to vulnerable people in Dublin.
