Gardaí condem “thuggery” at anti-immigrant protest in Citywest

6 people have been arrested after an anti-immigrant protest in Citywest turned violent on Tuesday night.

A statement from the Gardaí read, “this was not a peaceful protest. The violence exhibited was thuggery and an attempt to intimidate and injure.”

During the protest, bricks were thrown and fireworks were discharged at Garda members, and a Garda van was set on fire.

“Bins with hundreds of used glass bottles in the area were emptied and contents used as missiles. Attempts to breach the Garda cordon were also made by charging the line with horse drawn sulkies.  Individuals were observed carrying implements such as garden forks and tools and damaging walls in the locality to obtain missiles,” the Gardaí said, and said that a Garda helicopter was targeted by lasers.

An Garda Síochána had a policing operation in place for this public gathering organised by disparate groups on social media, who the Gardaí say “stir up hatred and violence and encourage and entice others to get involved.”

“Over the course of the evening nearly 300 members of An Garda Síochána were on duty, including over 125 uniform members, 150 Public Order members, Water Cannon, Mounted Unit and Dog Unit supported by members in Air Support Unit and Regional Control rooms.”

Speaking about the violence, Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said:

“An Garda Siochana facilitate peaceful protests on a daily basis. This was obviously not a peaceful protest. The actions this evening can only be described as thuggery. This was a mob intent on violence against Gardaí.”

“I utterly condemn the attacks on Gardaí who did their jobs professionally and with great courage to keep people safe. Public order units, dog unit, mounted unit, air support and the water cannon were deployed along with front-line colleagues, which brought the situation to a conclusion.”

“We will now begin the process of identifying those who committed crimes and we will bring those involved in this violence to justice.”

Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan said, “the scenes of public disorder we have witnessed at Citywest must be condemned.  People threw missiles at Gardaí, threw fireworks at them, and set a Garda vehicle on fire.  This is unacceptable and will result in a forceful response from the Gardai. Those involved will be brought to justice.”

“The weaponising of a crime by people who wish to sow dissent in our society is not unexpected. The Gardaí are prepared for this, but attacking Gardaí and property is not an answer, and won’t help to make anyone feel safe,” he said.

“It is clear to me from talking to colleagues during the day and this evening that this violence does not reflect the people of Saggart.  They are not the people participating in this criminality, but rather the people sitting at home in fear of it.”

“Attacks on Gardaí will not be tolerated. Peaceful protest is a cornerstone of our democracy.  Violence is not. There is no excuse for the scenes we have witnessed.”