HUNGARIAN PRIME MINISTER Viktor Orban is due to arrive in Dublin to attend tomorrow’s football match between Ireland and Hungary, but he may be in for a less than welcome reception. 

The Irish men’s team will get their World Cup qualifying campaign underway against Hungary at 7:45pm tomorrow at the Aviva Stadium and Orban, a former professional player and noted football fanatic, will be there to cheer on his national team. 

Outside of his interest in football, Orban is known for his right-wing, authoritarian-style politics, and for being a perpetual thorn in the side of the European Union.

He has reshaped the Hungarian judiciary to his own liking by stacking courts with loyalists, banned Pride celebrations and consistently obstructed EU efforts to support Ukraine in its defence against Russian aggression. He is also a promoter of the racist “Great Replacement” conspiracy theory and has become a figure of admiration among the international far right. 

The Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Orban is visiting Ireland in a private capacity and that no official engagements are planned. 

In response to Orban’s visit, which was first reported by Extra.ie, Labour MEP Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has announced his intention, alongside Labour LGBTQ+, to hold a protest at the stadium beginning at 7pm.

“Viktor Orban is not welcome in Dublin,” Ó Ríordáin said in a statement today.

“He is a man who has banned Pride in Budapest, who has aligned himself with Putin while Ukrainians are suffering and dying, and who stands for everything that football rejects.

“Football is about unity, diversity and bringing people together – Orbán represents division, repression and hate.”

Ó Ríordáin said that Dublin “is a place of welcome and solidarity, not one that tolerates bigots and autocrats”. 

Orbán might be applauded in Moscow, but he will not be applauded here.

He added that the protest will “make it clear to Orban – loudly and peacefully – that Dublin stands with the Ukrainian people, with the LGBTQ+ community, and with all those who resist his brand of authoritarianism”.