- Irish PM condemns anti-immigrant Dublin violence
- Protesters set pallets and construction machinery on fire at site designated for asylum seekers
- Work was set to begin on the Malahide Road site later in the week
- Taoiseach Simon Harris condemned the disturbances as “reprehensible.”
- Individuals charged with public order offences, including failure to comply with police orders and abusive behaviour
‘This is not who we are. This is not who we want to be. And this is not who will ever be.’
— Irish and UK Media News (@IREUKmedia) November 24, 2023
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar makes a statement following yesterday’s stabbing and last night’s riots in Dublin City. pic.twitter.com/mT5Cn6Clvp
Irish PM condemns anti-immigrant Dublin violence
Fifteen people appeared in a special court in Dublin following violent protests at a site designated for asylum seekers. Protesters set pallets and construction machinery on fire at the former Crown Paints factory in Coolock, north Dublin, causing a large blaze. Work was set to begin on the Malahide Road site later in the week.
Taoiseach Simon Harris condemned the disturbances as “reprehensible.” The individuals charged with public order offences, including failure to comply with police orders and abusive behaviour, were released on conditional bail, barring them from the protest site. They are due back in court on 18 September, with four more individuals set to appear on Tuesday.
Over 200 gardaí were deployed to manage the incident, during which three Garda cars were damaged, one of which was set on fire. Police used pepper spray as clashes with protesters injured several officers and a security guard. Protesters threw petrol bombs and fireworks set mattresses on fire, and lit fires on roads.
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris described the day as difficult for his officers and condemned the violence. He assured that all incidents, including attacks on gardaí and serious public disorder, would be thoroughly investigated, with more charges expected.