Six people arrested and garda injured as almost 300 officers attend scene of ‘sustained violence and thuggery’ at Citywest
Gardaí use pepper spray as fireworks and bottles are hurled at themGardaí in riot gear push protesters back as the garda helicopter is deployedLuas services from Saggart to Belgard are suspendedJustice Minister vows ‘forceful response from gardaí’
Six people were arrested by gardaí and one garda was injured during the violence. They were treated at the scene for a foot injury.
Public order gardaí were deployed to the hotel after a large crowd gathered at the entrance of the facility, which is currently being used to house asylum-seekers.
Fireworks, bricks, bottles and other objects were thrown at gardaí as the crowd swelled in numbers.
The garda water cannon was brought to the scene.
A spokesperson for An Garda Síochána said members “were subjected to sustained levels of violence”.
“This was not peaceful protest. The violence exhibited was thuggery and an attempt to intimidate and injure.
“During the evening there were sustained attacks on Garda Cordons, including physical violence, bricks thrown and fireworks discharged at Garda members and the arson of a Garda van. 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 Garda helicopter was targeted with lasers.
“One member of An Garda Síochána has received medical attention for a foot injury”.
Six people were arrested, primarily for public order offences, gardaí said.
Gardaí said they put an operation in place for “this public gathering organised by disparate groups on social media, who 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.
“Garda Public Order Units were deployed in full protective equipment and utilised Incapacitant spray to repel sustained physical attacks on Garda Lines,” the spokesperson said.
An investigation has been commenced and a Senior Investigating Officer has been appointed.
Speaking about tonight’s violent disorder Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said: “An Garda Siochana facilitate peaceful protest on 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 has said there will be a “forceful response from gardaí” to the scenes tonight.
A barrier at the end of the driveway leading up to the hotel was put in place by gardaí. Hundreds of people gathered along the driveway with fireworks and bottles launched over the barrier at gardaí.
At around 7.30pm, the crowd on the driveway were pushed back towards Garter Lane. Pepper spray was used by gardaí to clear the crowd and push them back towards the road.
A group of men on horseback was seen attempting to breach the barrier set up by gardaí at the top of the driveway.
The Luas Red Line services between Belgard and Saggart were suspended ahead of the protest. Later, the glass at the Luas stop at Saggart was smashed.
Garda van on fire outside Citywest Hotel, Saggart tonight (Colin Keegan, Collins, Dublin)
Traffic on nearby roads was diverted away from the scene of the protest by gardaí.
The tense standoff between protesters and gardaí continues and a garda helicopter has been deployed.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin strongly condemned the violent disorder.
“I pay tribute to the frontline gardaí who acted courageously and quickly to restore order.
“The Minister for Justice and Garda Commissioner have briefed me on the operation, and I thank everyone for their work.
“An Garda Síochána protect us all and have a proud tradition of service to the Irish people.
“There can be no justification for the vile abuse against them, or the attempted assaults and attacks on members of the force that will shock all right-thinking people,” Mr Martin said.
Justice minister Jim O’Callaghan said that the scenes at Citywest must be “condemned” and will see a “forceful response from gardaí”.
“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.
“As has been made clear during the day, a man has been arrested and charged before the courts in relation to the alleged incident. While I am not in a position to comment any further on this criminal investigation, I have been advised that there is no ongoing threat to public safety in the area.
“Unfortunately, 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.
“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 tonight,” Minister O’Callaghan said.
Fine Gael presidential candidate Heather Humphreys also condemned the scenes in tonight’s TV debate of the election campaign.
“Can I just say that what we’re seeing unfolding on our television screens this evening is absolutely awful,” she told the RTÉ’s Prime Time debate.
“And we’re seeing members of An Garda Síochána have been attacked with stones and with such things, and can I just say that if anybody knows anybody at those riots tonight, please tell them to go home. This is not what we are as a country.”
Red Line Services are currently not operating between Belgard and Saggart, with services only operating between Tallaght/Belgard and Connolly Station.
A Luas spokesperson said the disruption comes “following garda directive”.
“We apologise for any inconvenience caused,” they added.
All Green Line services are unaffected and operating normally. Dublin Bus announced that the Route 69 service was able to serve Saggart and Citywest due to the protest, with buses diverted via the N7 to and from Kingswood Avenue.
The protest follows an alleged sexual assault of a young girl in the Saggart area. A much smaller protest was held at the Citywest yesterday evening, with a crowd of around 50 protesting on the grounds of the Citywest.
News in 90 Seconds – October 21st
Earlier, Minister O’Callaghan stressed there was no further threat to the local community and said gardaí had assured him there is “no correlation” between the location of IPAS centres and crime levels in a community.
Mr O’Callaghan said: “I have asked my secretary general for a detailed account of the management of the asylum application process in this case.
“Our first concern is with the safety and wellbeing of the young girl involved, and my colleague Minister Norma Foley has been working to ensure she is provided with every available support.
“A man has been arrested and charged before the courts in relation to the alleged incident, so I am not in a position to comment any further on this criminal investigation.
“However, it is clear that An Garda Síochána responded promptly, locating the girl and taking her to safety while immediately beginning an investigation.
“I have been advised that there is no ongoing threat to public safety in the area. Also, An Garda Síochána has informed me that there is no correlation between the location of IPAS centres and crime levels in a community.
“Since taking office I have sought to operate a robust and rules-based immigration processing and enforcement system.”
