15 charged after anti-immigration rioting in Coolock appear in court

Protesters threw rocks at the gardaí outside the former Crown Paints factory during rioting in Coolock, Dublin, on Monday. Picture: Colin Keegan/Collins Photos

Some 15 people appeared in court late on Monday night after a day of rioting in Dublin culminated in a Garda vehicle, JCB, and mattresses being set on fire on the grounds of a building earmarked for asylum seekers in Coolock.

Gardaí made the arrests following vicious clashes with anti-immigration protesters. 

The tense situation continued into the late hours, as gardaí gained control of the makeshift campsite at the Crown Paints building in Coolock, with hundreds still gathered and a major security presence still visible.

The angry scenes unfolded at 8am when a JCB and mattresses were set alight at the former Crown Paints warehouse, where the ‘Coolock Says No’ protesters have been based in a makeshift campsite for the past number of months.

Justice Minister Helen McEntee has said those involved in the violent protests in North Dublin on Monday will face the "full rigours of the law". 

She took to X to say she was "appalled" by what happened, adding that she has been assured by Garda Commissioner Drew Harris "that everything will be done to bring those responsible to justice".

Preparations were being put in place by workers at the site ahead of the arrival of asylum seekers into the building.

However, works were halted when machinery and bedding were set alight by angry protesters who fired blocks and bottles at the workers and their equipment before setting a JCB on fire.

Dozens of videos of the shocking scenes went viral, which showed people jeering a man injured during the incident as he was being carried away on a stretcher by paramedics.

Fireworks were also thrown at gardaí, and members of the public lined the streets to watch the shocking scenes unfold.

Up to 60 gardaí — both uniformed and in plain clothes — arrived at the scene and, by 10am, the road between Donaghmede roundabout and Cadbury’s chocolate factory were completely closed to motorists.

They remained closed up until late Monday night while all shops in the vicinity closed early.

'New Black and Tans'

“Get the fuck out of here” shouted the crowds, after wire fencing was put up on the main road to divide the gardaí and protesters.

One man called for everyone to “not be afraid” of the “new Black and Tans” over a megaphone.

Just after midday, members of the Public Order Unit arrived in Garda vans after the entrance to the Crown Paints factory fire began to smolder and die down.

The fire brigade was also in attendance along with a number of fire safety vans.

Tensions began to flare when more gardaí emerged from their vehicles dressed in their full protection uniform and using equipment to control the rioters.

“You’re a fucking disgrace” one woman shouted repeatedly at gardaí,  as they pushed forward in a line shouting at people to “get back” and “get off the road”.

By 2pm, more members of the public order unit arrived and began making their way towards the makeshift camp that was set on fire.

A bin was set on fire outside the former Crown Paints factory in Coolock, Dublin. Picture: Colin Keegan/Collins Photos

Rocks cans and bottles were thrown,  and young men in balaclavas began shouting “don’t be afraid of them, take them on” as the gardaí walk in a line towards them.

A number of young men began to hit out at the gardaí before they were pepper-sprayed in an attempt to push people back.

The scenes quickly became chaotic and swarms of protestors and gardaí mingled as they battled against each other.

Women with small children moved into the carpark of the nearby Omniplex opposite the Crown Paints warehouse, to shield for cover.

One man stood in the crowd alone holding a sign saying: “Ireland is for the Irish."

As another young man was taken away, more rocks were fired at a Garda van. 

As the public order unit surrounded the van, they were again heckled

Two women called the gardaí “the new Black and Tans” and “f******g scum of the earth”.

Around 3pm the area had cleared slightly after arrests were made, however more rioters moved back towards the nearby business park area and began setting wheelie bins on fire.

People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Paul Murphy posted on X: "This is the most horrifying of all the videos from Coolock this morning. Someone seriously injured as a result of the arson attack and being jeered while brought to ambulance."

An ongoing protest has been in place in Coolock for a number of months as some locals objected to people seeking international protection moving into the area.

Alleged offences

Gardaí charged 15 people in connection with the events in Coolock on Monday.

The 13 men and two women were charged at a special sitting of the Criminal Courts of Justice on Monday evening.

They were charged in relation to alleged public order offences, under Sections 6 and 8 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act.

The same two conditions were attached to almost every person charged: That they stay away from the former Crown Paints building in Coolock,  and not to engage in anti-social gatherings or protests.

In the case of one of the men, one of his conditions is not to wear a balaclava in public.

Speaking outside the courts, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said: “This has been a difficult policing day for us in terms of dealing with serious public disorder."

What we saw today was unacceptable 

He indicated more people would be charged overnight in relation to the incidents, and praised the actions of members of An Garda Síochána for dealing with a “very volatile and difficult situation”.

A detailed investigation will follow into all aspects of the events in Coolock, according to Mr Harris.

He said he had received no reports of members of the public being injured, and there were no reports of serious injuries to members of An Garda Síochána.

Two vehicles have suffered significant damage, he added.