While most of the council members condemned the actions of those who took part, one went further than the rest. Azad Talukder, who serves as Cathaoirleach of the LCCC's Metropolitan District, suggested the protestors should be "shot in the head."
"I strongly believe that this is not the face of Ireland," Talukder said, according to the Limerick Post. "This is just some criminals looting the shops. I don't think they follow any ideological purpose. They come to the streets and just rob. They should get punishment."
"Not even an animal does these kind of thing," he added. "It is very shameful and they should get public punishment."
Talukder went on to state, in no uncertain terms, that he'd "like to see them shot in the head or bring the public in and beat them until they die."
His comments were quickly withdrawn after being objected to by Labour Party councillor Conor Sheehan, who reminded him that "you can’t call for people to be shot in the council chamber."
Talukder apologized, saying his emotions had gotten the better of him.
As the Immigrant Council reports, Talukder is originally from Bangladesh, and moved to Ireland in 2000 to start a family. Nearly 20 years later, he was elected as the first Muslim councillor in the nation's history.
The protests have divided the nation; many have stood in solidarity with participants, while others continue to call out their behaviour, which included urging the government to do more to combat illegal migration.
It has since been revealed by Gript Media that the suspect in the stabbing attack was of Algerian descent, but had become a naturalised citizen of Ireland after arriving in the island nation in 1999.
