Simon Harris slams 'abhorrent hijacking' of Irish flag by anti-migrant protestors 

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris and Justice Minister Simon Harris at the opening of An Garda Síochána's new regional office for the Dublin Metropolitan Area at Dublin Castle. Picture: Gareth Chaney/ Collins

Justice Minister Simon Harris said the “hijacking” of the Irish flag by anti-migrant protestors was “abhorrent” and that gardaí are facing a “difficult environment”.

Noting there have been more than 125 anti-migrant protests this year in Dublin, Mr Harris said gardaí were being regularly provoked with cameras in their faces and he raised the prospect of harsher sentences for assaults on frontline members of the force.