Following its closure last week amid a heated internal dispute, the Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland has reopened its national school and creche, with heightened security in place.

Management has said all other facilities – including the largest Mosque in Ireland – will remain closed until a full security review takes place.

This is reportedly due to fears there may be an attempt to forcibly take over the property.

The centre in Clonskeagh, South Dublin, closed its doors last week following a physical confrontation at a meeting which had to be broken up by Gardaí.

A general view of the Islamic Cultural Centre in Dublin. Image: PA Images / Alamy. August 3, 2023.

Founder and chair of the Irish Muslim Council Shaykh Doctor Umar Al-Qadri told Newstalk Breakfast that the issue centres around internal “financial irregularities”.

“This is happening because of – and it’s very unfortunate that it is happening and it is very shameful that it is happening – it is because of financial irregularities, mismanagement, governance issues,” he said.

“It is nothing to do externally and that’s the thing - we are living in an era where there is a lot of anti-Muslim sentiments, where there is a lot of racist attitudes towards Muslims.

“You would imagine that maybe a Mosque is closed down because of a security threat from external factors – but no.”

Dr Al-Qadri said this incident is an “embarrassment” to the Irish Muslim community.

You can listen back to the full interview here:

Main image: A lock on the gates of the Islamic Cultural Centre in Clonskeagh, Co Dublin, which has been closed to the public after an incident at the weekend. Image: Brian Lawless. Friday April 25, 2025.