Emer O'Hanlon: 'Watching from seized-up London, I'm happy to see Ireland isn't so extreme'

Extinction Rebellion may be smart but their protests make everyday life a total nightmare, writes Emer O'Hanlon

Branching out: Extinction Rebellion protesters during a march to Leinster House. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

You've got to hand it to Extinction Rebellion - they know how to get people talking about them. Everyone heard of their antics last week, whether it's people storming Penneys, or chaining themselves to the Dail, or taking part in a 'cycling' march. I'm talking about the situation in Dublin, which has so far stayed on the right side of reasonable. Looking at the situation from London, I'm glad people in Ireland aren't falling for the extremism in the same numbers that I'm seeing here.

Getting to work has been a nightmare, though that's not a problem for protesters from Extinction Rebellion who don't appear to have jobs to go to. In London alone, they have blocked off a significant portion of the city from traffic, from Westminster to Trafalgar Square; they have arranged mass occupations at City Airport, and wholesale markets such as Smithfield and Billingsgate.

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