Tóibín: Ógra To Be ‘Far More’ Integrated With Senior Party Following Racist Message Fallout

Tuesday, 28 October 2025 14:47

By Martin Osborne - Head Of News

New members will also have to undergo training.

Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín will meet members of the party’s youth wing tonight after a secret WhatsApp group was found to contain racist and anti-semitic messages.

He said Ogra will be integrated with the Senior party "far more" so there is "far more oversight" and that new members will go through a training course.

Ógra Aontú leader John Bryan, a 21-year-old former local representative in the Clane area, has been expelled after an internal investigation.

Several other members have been suspended while inquiries continue.

In one private chat, Bryan allegedly reacted to a message from Ógra member Peter Irvine - who has left the party - about restricting children’s access to the internet and smartphones until they turn 16.

Bryan allegedly replied in agreement and added: “And my daughter won’t like brown people,” followed by a series of emojis including a white flag, ghost, church, swords and fire.

Other messages were also shared about immigrants and Jews.

Deputy Tóibín told Kfm the party is furious and said it was "sad" that such groups existed.

He said he had not been aware of Bryan’s views and only learned of the exchanges last Friday.

In a message to Kfm, Bryan apologised and described his actions as disgusting. One comment posted by Bryan referenced Hitler Youth and stated that his daughter would not like brown people.

Deputy Tóibín said new members will now undergo a training programme and that many Ógra activists are equally "disgusted".

He confirmed that the investigation is continuing and that anyone involved in similar behaviour in future would be removed swiftly.

He said no political party in the country is immune to such views, adding that his responsibility is to show leadership and provide young people with an "alternative" to hateful attitudes.