Far-right group protest over LGBTQ+ books at Limerick library

Protesters linked to far-right groups assembled at a Limerick library on Friday, marking their second day protesting against the inclusion of LGBTQ+ books in the library.

They claim the material is inappropriate for children.

The far-right activist Andrew (Andy) Heasman led the protests and was seen on the group's motorboat on the River Shannon as they made their way to Limerick City Library. Once there, the group of men filmed themselves asking librarians if the children's book, This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson, was on the shelves. They made their objections to the book clear as they referred to "pornographic material" and content that was "deemed inappropriate for children" within it.

The group was asked multiple times by library staff to stop filming in the library, but refused to comply, citing their "own safety."

It was then when a group of counter-protesters arrived on the scene, holding a pride flag. As they told the group, they believed that what the far-right protesters were doing contradicted "what they are saying about protecting children."

As the far-right protesters left the library, Heasman tried to hand library staff an envelope, telling them they'd "been served" as he exited. Information on the contents of the envelope is still unknown.

This is the second day of this group's protests, having been seen on Bedford Road on Thursday holding a flag with 'There are only two genders, male & female' emblazoned on it. They tried to enter the library but quickly left after they were stopped by the Garda stationed in front of the building.

Today's incident is likely not the last in the coming days- as they got onto their motorboat after the library protest today, the protesters were quoted to be heading to the next stop on their “Sovereign Voyage to protect childhood on the Shannon River.”