On November 2nd, about 150 people gathered to protest Ireland’s trade with Israel at Dublin Port in a protest organised by Shut it Down Dublin, Mothers Against Genocide, North Wicklow Against Genocide, among others. The protest announcement on Instagram read, “We’re done with marches. We’re done with speeches. Economically isolate [Israel] by making trade with them less profitable. We will carry out blockades of Dublin Port and other mass actions until the Irish government carries out the will of its people, and until companies using the Port (like Maersk) stop shipping to [Israel]. Additionally, with our port blockades, we demand the government implement Boycott, Divest, Sanction -policies. Ban the sale of [Israeli] goods and services, cut economic ties, and sanction [Israel]. The OTB was always dead on arrival, and the sham ceasefire has brought little relief. It’s time for Ireland to act”.
Neither Trinity Boycott, Divest, and Sanction (BDS) nor the Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union (TCDSU/AMLCT) endorsed the protest, saying they were “expecting significant response from the Gardaí” and “we cannot, in a duty of care, organise or push students to go to a potentially unsafe situation”. They added that they would “respect the decision” of those who chose to attend and said the Trinity BDS committee and leadership from TCDSU/AMLCT would be available on the day. They encouraged participants to “stay safe and please act within the bounds of the law”.
At the protest, there did not appear to be delegates from either Trinity BDS or TCDSU/AMLCT, though they remained available by phone. Furthermore, there was no physical violence from the Gardaí at any point during the day.
The protest follows a similar demonstration at the port on October 4th, where Gardaí used pepper spray and clashed with protesters.
The group met for the protest at 2:00 pm at The Point, where the Gardaí made their presence known. Before the protest started, about eight guards could be seen at The Point, in addition to a couple of motorbikes, several larger cars driving around the area, and three public order unit cars.
At 2:45 pm, the group descended to the port, and several cars honked in support. The protest stopped on Promenade Road toward Dublin Port Terminal 10 just before a sign reading “To enter this area, it is a condition that people and their possessions are subject to random search”.
People chanted “No aid, no trade”, “Free, free, Palestine”, and “Pass the Occupied Territories Bill”, among other chants. There were several guards at the scene, including about eight officers redirecting traffic and several Gardaí cars and trucks.
People also set up a stand with tea, coffee, and biscuits with a sign reading “Tea, Coffee, & Biscuits for Dock Workers”. The organisers of the protest said “there are workers on the inside who support our cause”, adding “be nice to them”, “we are protesting the Irish Government”.
By 3:20, six trucks were backed up, while cars were able to go off a side road. Among them was a Texaco truck, which the organisers noted is on the BDS list and said “supports genocide”. At 3:30, the trucks were forced to divert and were unable to make it to the port.
The three drivers who spoke to The University Times refused to comment.
After the trucks diverted, the protest moved from the port up to North Wall Quay, followed by several Garda trucks, about eight cars, and several motorbikes. Guards also rode on bicycles alongside the protest. The protest temporarily blocked the road, stopping several Garda vehicles and two transport buses. There was also a large truck and an unmarked white vehicle with about 12 guards inside, only identifiable by blue lights in the grill. The protest looped up Promenade Road across the quay, back to The Point, and then back to the East Wall. At 4:30, the East Wall was blocked, and traffic had been diverted to other entryways to the port.
The protest ended at 4:35, when organisers told the crowd to disperse. The organisers encouraged participants to join walkouts for Gaza on the 13th and 28th of November, and to organise in their schools and workplaces.
Shut it Down Dublin said, in a statement to The University Times, “Today a coalition of Palestine solidarity groups united under the Shut It Down banner to shut down the entrance of Dublin Port. Ireland is listed as one of the states that permitted the transfer of weapons through ports and airports, which according to a UN report indicates “an intent to facilitate Israeli crimes.” Ireland is still one of the world’s largest trade partner with Israel with companies like Maersk and Texaco that aid Israel’s genocide against Palestinians. When the group blocked the port, it caused disruptions and diversions to the point that the Gardaí diverted traffic to another point of access that previously wasn’t used as an entrance. The group then swiftly moved and marched down the road to the second point of access before looping around and returning to the intersection just before the port. Despite Garda efforts to disrupt the protest, the group stayed together and managed to send a message: end trade with Israel and enact the Occupied Territories Bill in full including services. The group blocked the entrance but not the exit to allow workers to leave and go home, since it is the Irish government and the companies that ship their materials through the port who are complicit in this genocide. We encourage anyone who works in Dublin Port to reach out to the Shutitdowndublin instagram. We want to work with workers as is the case in Italy with the general strikes. The genocide in Gaza continues despite the ceasefire. The people of Ireland know what it is like to be colonised, subjugated and slaughtered. The people of Ireland will always stand with Palestine.”
An Garda Síochána said, in a comment to The University Times, “Gardaí attended a public gathering on East Wall Road, Dublin 3, at around 2pm today, Sunday 2nd November 2025. Gardaí monitored the gathering and engaged with the participants throughout the afternoon while also managing traffic in the area. The gathering has now passed off peacefully and participants have since dispersed. Traffic flow has returned to normal. An Garda Síochána respects the right of citizens to exercise their constitutional rights subject to statutory provisions, including the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1984 amongst other legislation. An Garda Síochána facilitates peaceful protest while protecting the rights of individuals to travel freely and commercial organisations to conduct business. Any Garda activity in relation to evolving events involves a graduated policing response taking into account relevant legislation and public safety, with enforcement as a last resort.”
