Female garda subjected to torrent of abuse by anti-migrant agitator 'receiving support’

Garda HQ said the incident is being investigated and that support is being provided to the garda. Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

A female garda subjected to a torrent of misogynistic and homophobic abuse by a male anti-migrant agitator in south Dublin has been receiving support from her colleagues and management, Garda HQ has said.

The man who recorded his tirade and uploaded it to social media is the subject of a Garda investigation to determine if a criminal offence has been committed.

It is thought that, as part of the investigation, gardaí are trying to determine if a full recording was taken down by the man and a slightly shorter, edited version kept online.

The individual originally put the video up on his TikTok account from where it was widely circulated across various platforms, including X.

The TikTok account was since deactivated but a replacement account has been set up with much of the same videos, except the one involving the female garda.

Anti-racist activists have taken down what they claim is a transcript of a full video that was originally uploaded.

In the video that was widely circulated, the man persists in subjecting the female garda, who was wearing her uniform, to a stream of misogynistic and foul language and, on occasion, homophobic abuse.

The garda manages not to respond to the abuse and maintains composure and professionalism throughout.

The man was one of a small group of agitators at Tallaght Retail Park last week who were attempting to get to the rear of a building earmarked for asylum seekers but were being prevented by uniformed gardaí.

In response to a query, Garda HQ said the incident is being investigated and that support is being provided to the garda in question.

“Gardaí are investigating all the circumstances around this incident,” it said in a statement.

“The Garda member involved is receiving support from their colleagues and local Garda Management and the wider organisational supports of the Peer Support Service, Chief Medical Officer and 24-hour counselling service have been provided, if required.” 

The man’s behaviour attracted widespread condemnation online and from public representatives.

'Nasty stuff'

At last Monday’s Dublin City Joint Policing Committee, chairwoman Tara Deacy said she had seen “some pretty nasty stuff” that some gardaí had to endure.

“No one should have to come to work and deal with that,” she said.

Ms Deacy added that there has also been “an incredible amount of both verbal and physical abuse” over the last number of weeks directed at councillors.

Speaking at the meeting, Dublin’s police boss, Assistant Garda Commissioner Angela Willis, said there is a “hostility” to people in public life at the moment.

She said gardaí have seen a “huge rise in the level of aggression” at protests, with 31 people arrested so far this year, compared to 20 in the same period in 2023.

Of the 31 arrested, 27 were at anti-immigration protests.