It Could Happen Here Weekly 182 – Detailed Summary

Release Date: May 17, 2025
Podcast: It Could Happen Here
Hosts: Robert Evans, Mia Wong, Garrison Davis, Debbie Brown, James Stout, Sam Mullins
Guest: Padraig O'Rourke, Author of Burn Them: A History of Fascism and the Far Right in Ireland

1. Introduction and Sponsorship

• [00:00–02:24]
  The episode opens with Robert Evans welcoming listeners to the podcast, followed by sponsorship messages from Talkspace promoting mental health services. Additional promotions include new podcasts like Levittown, which explores the rise of deepfake pornography, and GoBoy, narrating the true story of Roger Caron’s transformation from a convict to a literary figure.

2. Resurgence of the Far-Right in Ireland

• [02:38–06:36]
  Robert Evans introduces the main topic: the resurgence of the far-right movement in Ireland, featuring insights from Padraig O'Rourke, author of Burn Them.

  • Historical Context:

    • Sam Mullins provides a historical overview, mentioning the violent Blue Shirts of the 1930s, who were a significant far-right group in Ireland, electing 68 members of parliament and being one of the largest non-governing fascist organizations per capita in the world.
    • Padraig O'Rourke notes that Irish Republicanism historically inoculated the country against far-right ideologies prevalent in Britain and continental Europe.

  • Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic:

    • The strict lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ireland, which limited movement to two kilometers from home, inadvertently provided fertile ground for anti-vaxxer and conspiracy movements to mobilize streets, uniting disparate far-right factions.
    • Sam Mullins explains how the enforcement was uneven, with police prioritizing trade unionists over far-right groups, allowing these groups to organize unopposed. This led to significant marches, the largest since the 1930s.

3. Influence from International Far-Right Figures

• [06:36–12:06]
  The discussion shifts to the influence of international far-right figures on Irish far-right movements.

  • Conor McGregor's Far-Right Association:

    • Sam Mullins criticizes Conor McGregor for aligning with far-right personalities like Tucker Carlson and Elon Musk, amplifying extremist views.
    • Notable Quote: At [12:00], Sam states, “They have been so inspired by what was happening in America, they just went in and started taking books off the shelves... and started ripping them up.”

  • Far-Right Rhetoric and Actions:

    • McGregor’s political ambitions are scrutinized, suggesting his attempts to mimic figures like Tommy Robinson, with his rhetoric focusing on corruption and anti-immigration without substantive policy backing.
    • Sam Mullins expresses concern that McGregor’s actions and statements will embolden the far-right, potentially leading to increased violence and instability.

4. Far-Right Violence in Ireland

• [12:06–35:57]
  The hosts delve deeper into the manifestations of far-right violence in Ireland.

  • Escalation of Violence:

    • Sam Mullins details incidents such as arson attacks on refugee centers and homes of politicians opposing far-right ideologies, including fiery confrontations and the use of derogatory symbols like swastikas.
    • Notable Incident: At [12:00], Sam recounts a violent riot outside Parliament where far-right protesters hurled boot bottles and shouted racial abuse, reminiscent of 1930s fascist unrest.

  • Lack of Law Enforcement Response:

    • No arrests have been made despite over 30 arson attacks, indicating a failure of law enforcement to address the growing threat.
    • Sam Mullins criticizes the police for prioritizing trade union protests over far-right violence, allowing extremist groups to operate with impunity.

  • Public Perception and Counter-Movements:

    • The hosts discuss the role of Anti-Fascist Action Ireland and other counter-movements that have attempted to curb far-right activities but are struggling against the resurgence.
    • Sam Mullins emphasizes the need for better organized and national-scale anti-fascist efforts to combat the entrenched and reignited far-right elements.

5. Future Projections and Host Insights

• [35:57–43:11]
  The conversation transitions to future projections regarding the far-right in Ireland and the necessary responses.

  • Persistent Far-Right Presence:

    • Sam Mullins predicts that the far-right will remain a significant force in Ireland for at least a decade, comparing it to the UK's National Front in terms of persistence and potential for recurring insurgencies.

  • Call for Collective Action:

    • Sam Mullins urges listeners to call out racist and extremist rhetoric in everyday situations, emphasizing that preventing the growth of far-right ideologies requires consistent and widespread collective effort.
    • Notable Quote: At [35:00], Sam states, “As long as we're fighting with each other, the fascists are winning.”

  • Importance of Solidarity and Support:

    • The hosts highlight personal anecdotes about confronting racism and the importance of not abandoning friends who may slip into extremist ideologies.
    • Sam Mullins advocates for strengthening anti-fascist organizing to build a united front against the diversified far-right movement.

6. Integration with Other Topics

• [43:11–222:57]
  Throughout the episode, the hosts intersperse discussions about other topics, including:

  • Books and Literature:

    • James Stout and Sam Mullins discuss their respective books, GoBoy and One of the Boys, exploring themes of personal transformation and the challenges faced by marginalized individuals.

  • Sports and Masculinity:

    • Conversations about traditionalism in sports, the cultural significance of football, and its intersection with political and social issues.

  • Science Fiction and Media:

    • Brief discussions about the Star Wars series Andor, highlighting parallels between fictional rebellions and real-world political movements.

7. Conclusion and Call to Action

• [223:07–224:56]
  The episode concludes with final thoughts and a strong call to action.
  • Sam Mullins reiterates the importance of individual and collective efforts in combating the far-right resurgence.
  • Debbie Brown summarizes key points and emphasizes ongoing vigilance against extremist movements.
  • Notable Call to Action:
    • Sam Mullins urges listeners, especially those in supportive communities, to actively participate in building a world where marginalized groups can thrive without fear of extremist backlash.

Notable Quotes with Attribution and Timestamps

• Sam Mullins at [12:00]:
  “They have been so inspired by what was happening in America, they just went in and started taking books off the shelves... and started ripping them up.”

• Sam Mullins at [35:00]:
  “As long as we're fighting with each other, the fascists are winning.”

• Robert Evans at [03:43]:
  “There's a degree to which it's true that Ireland has some resistance to the far right that has led to maybe it growing slower or taking a little longer to get off the ground...”

• Sam Mullins at [22:11]:
  “Nothing new here for you, but you can make your own decisions.”

Final Thoughts

This episode of It Could Happen Here provides a comprehensive analysis of the far-right's resurgence in Ireland, contextualizing it within historical frameworks and current socio-political dynamics. The discussion underscores the complexity of combating such movements, especially when influenced by international ideologies and facilitated by inadequate law enforcement responses. The hosts emphasize the necessity for collective, organized anti-fascist efforts and highlight personal responsibility in addressing and countering extremist rhetoric in everyday interactions.

Listeners are encouraged to remain vigilant, support inclusive communities, and actively participate in dismantling far-right ideologies to ensure a safer, more equitable society.

For more episodes and detailed discussions, visit It Could Happen Here on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or your preferred podcast platform.