Protesters took to the streets of Dundalk again on Sunday

Protesters and counter-demonstrators took to the streets of Dundalk for the third consecutive Sunday at the weekend over plans to house 260 Ukrainian refugees in the former St Joseph's Female Orphanage and Industrial School on Seatown Place.

A large crowd of counter-demonstrators gathered at 4.30pm on the path in front of the building holding placards with messages such as “Mammies Against Racism Louth”, “Racism Not Wanted in Our Town” and “Doesn't Matter We're All the Same” while many waved Irish, Louth and Palestinian flags.

Anti-immigrant protesters lined the opposite side of the street with a banner reading “Dundalk Says No” with many waving the Irish flag and some with it draped around them.

Above: Anti-immigrant protesters on Sunday

After a short time at the building where Ukrainian refugees are to be housed the anti-immigrant protesters, flanked by uniformed garda and members of the the Public Order Unit, marched to Market Square, as counter-protesters chanted “They came to town and ran away”.

The counter-demonstrators, surrounded by gardai, remained at the former St Joseph's Female Orphanage and Industrial School, as anti-immigrant protesters gathered at the Courthouse.

Several speakers from the anti-immigrant side, including Irish Freedom Party members Hermann Kelly and Tracy O'Hanlon addressed the crowd.

Meanwhile, counter- protesters, escorted by gardai, marched to Clanbrassil Street.

There was a strong garda presence again on Sunday, with a large amount of uniformed gardai and members of the Public Order Unit present.

Clanbrassil Street was cordoned off and a line of gardai stood in front of the counter-demonstrators and around the anti-immigrant protesters with a large space in between where two garda vans were parked.

As speakers continued to address the crowd in front of the Courthouse, counter-protesters banged drums and chanted loudly “immigrants are welcome here”.

Just before 6.30pm the crowd gathered at the square dispersed and shortly afterwards the anti-demonstrators left, marching down Market Street surrounded by gardai.

Despite tensions being high the protests ended peacefully.

It is understood that a fourth protest is being organised again for this coming Sunday.