WATCH: Heated exchanges as far-right group protest in Limerick over LGBTQ+ books

HEATED exchanges took place in Limerick as protestors linked to far-right groups in the UK rallied as part of ongoing demonstrations against LGBTQ+ reading material in Irish libraries and bookshops.

This Thursday, Limerick people showed up to counter-protest the agitators who claim they are on a “Sovereign Voyage to protect childhood on the Shannon river.” Among those in attendance were counter-protestors from the Limerick Against Fascism group, who joined with LGBTQ+ and Trans Rights flags.

With a banner that reads “There are only two genders, male & female,” the group made their way to Limerick after holding recent protests in Dublin, Cork and Galway.

Wearing green sweatshirts branded “Education not indoctrination,” the far-right protestors first stopped on Bedford Row, not too far from O’Mahony’s bookshop, with their banner.

Later on, they went down to Limerick City Library, where gardai were waiting for their arrival. To prevent them from entering the library, a group of counter-protestors held hands to make a chain.

After quickly leaving the scene, they made their way back to Eason on O’Connell Street, where they entered the premises to search for the books they want to see banned.

They later walked to bars, where staff refused to serve them, as they were concerned about the safety of their customers.

At the head of the far-right group is Andrew (Andy) Heasman, an activist from Dublin, who calls himself an “Irish Journalist” on social media, has been complaining that a book written by author Juno Dawson (among others books) is “pornographic” and should not be displayed for children.

The protestor has been posting live videos on social media, in a bid to keep his followers updated on the protests.