‘Protestors have disrupted events and threatened people [Video]

A LOCAL GRASSROOTS group formed to help people seeking international protection settle into Newtownmountkennedy, Co Wicklow has appealed to the government to provide support and leadership.

Newtown Together’s members have been helping people who are staying at the site on the outskirts of the town over recent months – amid alleged threats and harassment from anti-migrant groups in the area.

The area came to national attention in April after violent protests when Garda vehicles were damaged and members of the force said they “came under attack” from demonstrators.

In the months since, Newtown Together members have volunteered to help the new arrivals in different ways, by giving them lifts, forming walking and running groups and arranging local outings.

However, they say that their efforts “can only go so far” without further help and appealed for “Government leaders [to] stand with us” by lending public support.

It’s a rare direct appeal to the government from a local group given …