Gardaí set 'new starting line' on dealing with anti-migrant protests
The Garda Public Order unit at Racket Hall, where Protestors were attending. Picture: Brendan Gleeson
Gardai have a “new starting line” in dealing with anti-migrant protests after there were clashes awaiting asylum-seekers arriving in Roscrea.
There was one arrest as asylum seekers were being transported to Racket Hall Hotel, yesterday, where both gardaí and protestors were shoved and knocked to the ground in ugly scuffles.
Now a more “robust” Garda response to anti-immigrant protests – as seen in Roscrea yesterday – is set to be repeated, if necessary, when the Dáil returns on Wednesday, security sources have said.
A large Garda deployment – including three public order units in addition to local uniform members – were scrambled to secure safe passage for asylum seekers being transported to the Racket Hall Hotel.
Videos from the scene show visibly shocked and frightened African women – many of them clutching babies to their chest or clasping the hands of toddlers – being escorted by gardaí into the hotel amid jostling, pushing and shouting.
Justice Minister Helen McEntee told the : “An Garda Síochána have a job to do – to keep people, including those seeking refuge in our communities, safe. Intimidation of any kind, and the blocking of people from entering their accommodation, is completely unacceptable.”
Protests at Racket Hall have been held since last Thursday after the Department of Integration revealed that 160 beds would be provided there for international protection applicants.
Three public order vans escorted a bus carrying some of the applicants at around noon on Monday.
Members from the first two vans – numbering 50 gardaí in total – exited in “soft cap” mode (between uniform and riot gear) outside, where protesters had blocked entrance to the hotel grounds.
Assisted by local uniform gardaí, they immediately tried to clear a path for asylum seekers between the protesters.
They then formed a human chain to push against protesters to allow the applicants enter the hotel, which was also being blocked.
One of the protestors told the PA news agency, the scenes were because of the garda tactics.
“They made a burst for us to push us out of the way, and then they tried to bring children in behind. The children got caught up in that mess not because we wanted to scream and shout at children, that wasn't the case at all.” Several far-right agitators were encouraging people via social media to protest outside the hotel yesterday evening.
One security source said while gardaí had attempted to keep some distance from getting involved in these standoffs, the approach adopted in Roscrea was a “new starting line” and a gauge in how other protests might be dealt with.
A number of sources said this would be reflected when the Dáil reopens on Wednesday. They stressed there would be “no repeat” of the ugly scenes from September 20 last when various politicians were subject to abuse and scuffles. There was also a mock gallows, with an effigies of a man hanging from a noose, replete with photographs of leading politicians.
“What happened on September 20 will not be repeated,” said one source. “There is a policing plan – it will be lockdown.” Various sources said there was no way the barriers will be as close to Leinster House as they were on September 20 and that they will be pushed back, at least half way on Molesworth Street and the same either side of Kildare Street, with similar measures on Merrion Street.
“Protesters won’t get passed the barricades,” said one source, “and any sign of an effigy and they will be lifted. It will be much more robust, if need be.”
Garda management faces "multiple demands" on policing resources on Wednesday, which also sees the State visit of Chinese Premier Li Qiang.
He will be travelling from his Dublin hotel across the south inner city to Áras an Uachtaráin and Farmleigh, then to the airport. The visit has required the cancellation of leave for a number of garda units.
Garda numbers are being supplemented from other divisions and by overtime.
It is understood three public order units will be in place, but may be mobile to cover both the Dáil area and the movements of the Chinese Premier.
In terms of far-right agitators, one group is organising a protest for outside Leinster House on Wednesday, led by an individual well-known in conspiracy and extremist circles.
Gardaí are monitoring his activities and other "key agitators", sources said.
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