Policing Authority to meet senior gardaí on anti-immigration protests

The blockade of traffic, and instances of protesters checking the identification of people in Clare this week, follows a series of violent incidents in Dublin, which saw asylum seekers intimidated out of a makeshift street camp last Friday night before it was set on fire.

The Policing Authority has “totally condemned” the escalation of protests from lawful demonstrations to “violence and intimidation” of vulnerable people, communities and gardaí.

The authority is set to discuss the worsening situation with Garda Commissioner Drew Harris and his senior team at a scheduled private meeting next week. The watchdog said it continues to recognise and “applaud” the work of garda members in balancing the rights of people in the community to hold protests with the safeguarding of the rights of those subjected to the protests.