'We stand fully with Muslim community' - Arson attack on prayer hall condemned

People Before Profit Councillor Conor Reddy condemned the suspected arson attack and has called for a "more active anti-racist movement" that "puts the blame for the crises in housing, health, and public services where it belongs"

News Stephen Holland Local Democracy Reporter 13:19, 30 Jun 2026 Updated 17:26, 30 Jun 2026 View Image The scene at Talbot Street (Image: Stephen Collins/Collins Photos)

People Before Profit has condemned the suspected arson attack on an Islamic prayer hall on Talbot Street .

The blaze broke out at Al-Madinah Prayer Hall on Talbot Street yesterday afternoon. Gardaí confirmed a man in his 40s was arrested in connection with the incident with a spokesperson stating they are “investigating all the circumstances around an incident of criminal damage by fire at a premises on Talbot Street”.

People Before Profit Group Leader on Dublin City Council Councillor Conor Reddy stated that they “condemn the suspected arson attack” and described it as “a frightening incident”. “Our full solidarity is with the Muslim community in Dublin and with everyone who worships at Al-Madinah,” he said.

“An attack on a mosque or prayer hall is an attack on all of us, and on the diverse, inclusive city that Dublin should be. This is shocking, but sadly it is not surprising. There has been a febrile climate of racism and Islamophobia whipped up in this country. We have seen attacks on IPAS centres and homes, harassment on our streets, and a growing confidence among racist and far-right forces.

“This hatred does not come from nowhere. It is driven forward by far-right figures in Ireland, elected and unelected, linked to an international far-right ecosystem around figures like Tommy Robinson and Elon Musk, and then echoed, softened and normalised by sections of the political establishment who think they can play games with racism without consequences.”

People Before Profit representative for Dublin Central Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin said this incident will “cause real fear among Muslims” in Dublin city. “During the Dublin Central by-election, former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said he was worried about the next generation of Muslims in Ireland. That kind of rhetoric feeds the atmosphere we are now seeing,” Mr Ó Ceannabháin said.

“It casts Muslims as a threat, as outsiders, as people to be watched or feared. We have to be clear: these ideas come from the top. They are shared by powerful people, by billionaires who profit from division, by far-right figures internationally, and by sections of the political establishment who dress up racism as concern.

“We stand fully with the Muslim community in Dublin Central. The answer to this attack has to be solidarity, not silence.”

Cllr Reddy added that it is “deeply disturbing” the suspected arson attack has occurred on the same weekend as an alleged racist assault in Poppintree Park in Ballymun. He said these incidents “show the urgent need for a more active anti-racist movement” that “puts the blame for the crises in housing, health, and public services where it belongs”.

Cllr Reddy said this is with “billionaires, landlords and the establishment” and for a movement that “shoulder to shoulder with our neighbours to reassure them that they are valued, that they belong and that the far-right will not win”.

“At the weekend, Dublin Pride showed the best of this city, tens of thousands of people celebrating in a display that was colourful, defiant and full of solidarity. That is the real character of Dublin. We need to fight to make sure that is the city experienced by everyone, regardless of where they come from, what they believe, or the colour of their skin.

“People Before Profit will be supporting United Against Racism in showing solidarity with the Muslim community and saying clearly: no more. No more racist intimidation. No more Islamophobia. No more attacks on places of worship or homes. We need to defeat this hatred before it does any more damage."

This content is funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme

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