21 arrested during St Patrick's Day gatherings in Dublin, gardaí disperse crowds in Cork

Gardaí arrest a lone demonstrator on O'Connell Street in Dublin city centre on Wednesday. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

There were 21 arrests made in Dublin as some ignored pleas to avoid congregations on St Patrick's Day, while gardaí were called to disperse crowds at one of Cork's most popular amenities.

As of 8pm tonight, seventeen men and four women were arrested during garda interventions at a number of protest events around the capital.

Fourteen of those arrested were charged and appeared before a sitting of Dublin District at the Criminal Courts of Justice earlier this afternoon.

Seven others were charged with offences and released on station bail.

Gardaí said those who were arrested had failed to comply with directions from An Garda Síochána and with public health guidelines.

A crowd of roughly 100 anti-lockdown and anti-vaccination protesters gathered in Herbert Park in Ballsbridge carrying banners and posters. Many were not wearing protective facemasks.

Gardaí outside national broadcaster the RTE building in Donnybrook earlier this afternoon. Picture: Stephen Collins / Collins Photos Dublin

Another crowd gathered near national broadcaster RTÉ's Donnybrook HQ, several of whom carried anti-vaccine posters. 

Though nearly 2,500 officers were deployed in expectation of the protests, gardaí said that most people in and around the city had shown "high levels of compliance and social responsibility."

Speaking this afternoon, Deputy Commissioner, Policing and Security, Anne Marie McMahon appealed to the public to continue to comply with public health guidelines for the rest of tonight. 

"Please do not engage in house gatherings or parties or congregate in public spaces and amenities," she said.

Gardaí disperse crowds gathered at the Lough in Cork city

Gardaí at the Lough, Cork, after moving on a crowd on St. Patrick's Day. Picture: Denis Minihane.

However, there were scenes to worry authorities in Cork as pleas to avoid areas like The Lough fell on deaf ears.

Thousands of people came to The Lough from around midday, gathering at the popular amenity until the late afternoon, with little social distancing observed as people drank together in groups.

Gardaí dispersed crowds in the afternoon as the gatherings grew, as the temptation to celebrate the national holiday proved too tempting for some.

However, there were no reports of any trouble, as the crowds were largely convivial, intent on celebrating.

City councillor Mick Finn, who had warned that St Patrick's Day could be a sign of things to come for potential mass congregation as the weather grew milder and the summer months approached, reiterated his call for a policing plan for the area.

"There were thousands of people who came at various stages throughout the day, and is a warning to what it could be like in the summer. A major policing plan, incorporating enforcement of by-laws banning drinking, has to be implemented.

"What we saw during St Patrick's Day is what we can reasonably expect during the summer if we don't tackle it. I believe gardaí will have to treat the Lough as being akin to a festival, such is its attractiveness as a place to congregate."

A crowd gathered at The Lough in Cork. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

Mr Finn said that public urination exacerbated the situation for residents.

"The residents are not able to visit their neighbours due to restrictions, but they then have to witness mass gatherings, people drinking, and urinating. Cleaning off their walls with soap and water on St Patrick's Day is simply not fair on them," he said.

The garda operation went on throughout the evening across the country, continuing "high visibility patrolling at public amenities, conducting checkpoints focused on non-essential travel and people exercising outside 5km of their home, road safety activity and large gatherings," they said.