By Conor Coyle
September 20, 2025 at 6:00am BST
Just 200 people attended anti-immigration protests branded as “Operation Shutdown” in Northern Ireland on Thursday evening, an Irish News analysis has found.
Organised by a number of unnamed individuals behind a series of social media pages in the weeks leading up to the event, a sustained effort was made in order to drum up support for the protests.
Organisers had called on those from a number of areas across the north to block roads in effort to “take our country back” and highlight the consequences of “mass migration”.
One group representing migrants advised its members to avoid a long list of locations across the north where it was believed protests were going to take place, while the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust issued advice to pregnant mothers who may have been fearful of attending hospital due to the protests.
A small number of buses had to be diverted as a result of the protests but widespread disruption was not caused.
The Irish News estimates around 200 people took part in the 15 protests, many of whom were watching from footpaths and not obstructing traffic.
From images and video footage posted from the scenes of the protests, the largest attendances were on the Newtownards Road in east Belfast and in Carrickfergus, where between 40 and 50 people were present.
In other areas, such as Cookstown, Coleraine and the Shore Road, reports suggest the numbers in attendance were in single figures.
In some areas, it is not clear whether planned protests took place at all despite being widely advertised on social media.
PSNI officers attended a number of the planned protests and said “minor traffic disruption” was reported while the force was reviewing evidence to examine whether any offences were committed.
“Police attended planned protests across a number of areas on Thursday evening, 18th September,” a PSNI statement said.
“A number of officers were deployed to these protests, including specially trained evidence gatherers.
“There was some minor traffic disruption at various locations in Belfast, Newtownabbey and Carrick and all protests passed off without incident.
Chief Superintendent Sue Steen said: “Police will review all available evidence to establish whether any further offences have been committed. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the public for their patience during this period”.
SDLP leader Claire Hanna said despite the low turnout at the protests, increasing numbers of “far right” protests should be taken seriously.
“The rise of the far-right in Northern Ireland and around the world is deeply concerning and must be taken seriously, not dismissed,” Ms Hanna said.
“It’s welcome that Thursday evening’s protests passed off peacefully and without significant incident.
“My heart goes out to members of our immigrant and minority ethnic communities who were left fearful ahead of last night’s and other protests who have this hatred hanging over their lives.
“When hospitals feel the need to issue warnings to patients about potential disruption, it should be a wakeup call about getting a handle on this.”
by Prestigious_Side6964
12 comments
>Trust issued advice to pregnant mothers who may have been fearful of attending hospital due to the protests.
Protecting the woman and children your fuckin hole yis cunts
> The Irish News estimates around 200 people took part in the 15 protests, many of whom were watching from footpaths and not obstructing traffic.
> In some areas, it is not clear whether planned protests took place at all despite being widely advertised on social media.
Some shutdown. Scundered 😂
The only thing they be in danger of shutting down would be a buffet by the looks of them
Dismissed wow that will show them.
200 across the North? That was a helluva show. Hats off to the unemployed lazy benefit-scrounging fuckers who made the effort to get out of bed for it.
Winter is on its way, they will keep them indoors for 6 months. They are outdoor seasonal racists.
>Far-right challenge must not be dismissed
Yes it should. For many reasons, but the main one for me is
>Organised by a number of unnamed individuals behind a series of social media pages
If you want to be taken seriously, take off your mask and put yourself forward for debate. If you don’t want to be dismissed, stand up for what you believe in and face the ones who disagree with you. If you’re not standing on a platform of hate and racism, you have nothing to worry about.
Fair Weather Fascists.
As POC I fear for my own and my family safety
I have been here legally for 7 years ( not that it matters)
The only place I feel safe is inside my house and work
Get the fuck, most GAA clubs in the North have more than 200 members, there is absolutely no way government policy should be dictated by one. What the fuck is wrong with this place that we allow a micro minority to bully the majority?
Why do you lot call everything you don’t agree with far right?
Where are these unnamed individuals behind the social media pages located? Not in St. Petersburg, by any chance?
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