Garda plane footage helps identify Dublin rioters

Video footage shot from a Garda aircraft has helped identify some of the people who ran riot in Dublin city centre last month, it emerged today.

Gardaí confirmed a helicopter and aircraft were deployed to cover the planned Love Ulster Parade in line with the operational policing plan.

However, during the morning the pilot of the helicopter covering the event reported a problem with the craft and returned to Baldonnel Aerodrome, leaving the plane filming footage of the riots.

“The fixed wing continued throughout the day to provide air support for the ground operation, utilising all its technical equipment onboard,” a Garda spokesman said.

“Some photographic and video footage from the fixed wing has assisted in identifying some of those involved in the various public order incidents which occurred throughout the day. This will be advanced in evidence, if required, at future court hearings.”

Gardaí said the helicopter was checked by engineers from the Air Corps and McAlpine at Baldonnel Airport and was returned to cover the parade shortly before 4pm.

“It returned to the city centre area, once again providing valuable air support for the ground operation,” the Garda spokesman said.

The Garda Air Support Unit, which provides national cover 24-hours a day, includes one fixed wing aircraft and two helicopters.

One of the two helicopters in the air support unit was grounded during the riots on Saturday, February 25, for a regular mechanical service.

Despite some reports, gardaí said the deployment of the air support unit during the previous 24-hour period to the march had no effect on the level of support provided on the day.

“Both aircraft were functional and provided air cover for the convoy of Love Ulster coaches as they made their way from the border to Dublin city,” he said.

Several gardaí were injured on the day of the parade as around 1,000 protestors attacked officers forcing the Love Ulster rally involving Orangemen and relatives of IRA murder victims to be cancelled.

A number of people have appeared before the courts charged with public order offences, after shops were looted on the day, windows were broken and a line of cars was set ablaze in the city centre.