A community activist in Longford believes that local ethnic groups do not believe recent protests reflect the majority of Irish people.
Parvez Butt says that Longford has welcomed international communities and helped them make their homes in the county.
The comments come as a protest took place in Mullingar last night against the housing of refugees in Columb Barracks.
Local residents are said to be angry due to the lack of consultation.
Reacting to the recent anti- immigrant protests, the Kashmiri national believes people in Longford will not be fooled by far-right groups attempting to spread hate:
'Longford people are not like that, they are not going to fall into that trap.
A few might, but the number who might agree with that and say 'get the foreigners out and send them back home' are in the very significant minority.
I personally have been told that I'm that critical of what is being done here then I should go back home.
I don't take offense at that because it is coming from a place of ignorance.'
