‘Exponential increase’ in volume and frequency of protests this year

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris during a meeting in public with the Policing Authority in Dublin (Brian Lawless/PA)

There has been an “exponential increase” in the volume and frequency of protests this year compared with previous years, Gardaí have said.

The vast majority of these demonstrations are “of an anti-immigration sentiment”, and the increase is particularly pronounced in Dublin, the Policing Authority was told by senior Garda members.