‘Jew Rat’: Antisemitic Graffiti Painted on Irish Roads in Repeated Incidents

Irish authorities and watchdog groups condemned a series of antisemitic slogans and Nazi-style slurs spray-painted on roads in County Louth and nearby areas in late December and early January. Photos shared by local monitors showed phrases comparing Jews to vermin and invoking classic propaganda images, sparking calls for swift clean-up and enforcement under hate crime provisions.

Holocaust Awareness Ireland described the graffiti as a revival of prewar motifs designed to dehumanize Jews, warning that such public displays normalize hostility and can escalate into harassment or violence. Police opened inquiries into the incidents, while community leaders urged civic authorities to respond decisively and educate the public about the dangers of persistent antisemitic messaging.

The string of episodes adds to a wider pattern of diaspora communities reporting spikes in threats and vandalism over the past year. Advocates stressed that early intervention — removal, investigation, and public repudiation — remains critical to protecting Jewish residents and upholding shared standards of safety and dignity.

(JPost/VFI News)

“Lord, comfort and protect Jewish communities in Ireland and across the diaspora. Give courage to officials and neighbors to speak and act against hatred. Heal the wounds caused by these vile messages, and let respect, truth, and kindness take root in public life.”