Barrett confirms he intends to run for Europe

Mr Justin Barrett has confirmed he is to run as an independent candidate in the upcoming European elections.

Mr Barrett will run in the Ireland East constituency for the June 11th vote on a strong anti-immigration ticket.

Announcing his candidacy, Mr Barrett accused a "left-leaning national media" of conspiring with political parties to keep debate about immigration" off the table.

"People are naturally growing frustrated",  he added.

Mr Barrett said that he would be voting Yes in the citizenship referendum, which also takes place on June 11th.

"It will not solve the central problem which is an asylum process which has turned Ireland from a 'soft landing' for those genuinely fleeing persecution, into a 'soft touch' for fraudsters. . . . But at least it is the beginning of some action being taken."

Mr Barrett said he will also be fighting the cause of the "traditional family".

"We need to start helping young families with the burdens as well as the joys of child rearing instead of making it impossible for them. That means action to ensure affordable housing, greatly increased child benefit and the restoration of tax allowances for families with children."

Mr Barrett was a leading figure in the Youth Defence anti-abortion group and campaigned vigorously against the Nice Treaty in the 2002 referendum.

In the run-up to that referendum The Irish Timesreported that Mr Barrett had had close contacts with an extreme right-wing party in Germany that authorities there said had "Nazi characteristics".

Mr Barrett attended conferences and spoke at an event organised by Germany's National Democratic Party (NPD), it was reported. In 2000 he attended an NPD rally in the Bavarian city of Passau as a representative of Youth Defence.

When this was put to Mr Barrett, he declined to confirm or deny that he attended the event.