Man arrested over Clonmel protest at site for refugee housing

A Garda patrol vehicle was damaged at the site and had its tyres slashed. File picture: Eddie O'Hare

A man was arrested and a Garda car had its tyres slashed during protests at a site in Clonmel when construction workers moved in to build modular homes for refugees on Tuesday morning.

One man in his 20s was arrested for a public order offence.

Some 15 protestors have been at the site on Tuesday, with the first arriving at about 7.30am.

Earlier this year, security workers at the site were assaulted, one of whom required hospital treatment, and vehicles were also damaged.

Construction workers had moved in to build an entrance to the Tipperary site this morning.

About 80 modular homes for Ukrainian refugees are planned for the site as the country continues to grapple with a housing and accommodation crisis.

Videos circulating on social media which appear to be from the scene of the protest show a heavy Garda presence on the street as work is under way with machines on a green field site.

Protesters can be seen goading gardaí in videos from the scene.

A man stands in front of a truck to block it from gaining access to the site in one video.

About two-thirds of today’s protesters were local, a witness at the scene said.

But social media live streams were also being broadcast from the protest by anti-immigrant protesters who do not live in the area.

"Gardaí have arrested a male (aged in his 20’s) during the course of a public gathering at the entrance of a construction site in Clonmel, Co Tipperary, today," a statement from gardaí said.

"The arrested male is currently detained pursuant to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984, at a Garda station in the Co Tipperary area.

"Separately, a Garda patrol vehicle has been damaged at the site this afternoon, and has had its tyres slashed.

"Investigations are ongoing."

An Garda Síochána said it respected citizens' constitutional right to protest but this right did not extend to breaches of criminal law, the interference with the rights of other citizens to carry out their daily activities, or to attack members of An Garda Síochána.

"Any Garda activity in relation to evolving events involves a graduated policing response, taking into account relevant legislation and public safety, with enforcement as a last resort."