Gardaí 'extremely fortunate' not to suffer serious injuries during Coolock unrest

Scenes of the aftermath of disturbances which had broken out yesterday at a site in Dublin that is due to be developed for International Protection applicants. A number of fires were lit at the site of the former Crown Paints factory in Coolock where work was due to begin this week. Photo shows the JCB digger that was burnt and a slogan written on the wall Coolock Says No. Photo: Sasko Lazarov/© RollingNews.ie

Frontline gardaí were potentially exposed to “extremely volatile and dangerous conditions” at the scene of public disorder in north Dublin yesterday because of what they say was a “clear delay” in deploying public order units.

The Garda Representative Association said it was “extremely fortunate” that their members did not suffer more serious injuries than those that were sustained.

The GRA said they will be raising their concerns with Garda Commissioner Drew Harris – who on Monday night strongly rejected any claims that there was a delay in deploying the public order unit.

In a statement, association president Mark O'Meara said: "The GRA would first like to commend its members who bravely stood firm at the Coolock site and to their colleagues from all over the city that came to their assistance.

"However, there was a clear delay in the deployment of the Public Order Unit which potentially exposed our members at the scene to extremely volatile and dangerous conditions for a number of hours."

Mr O'Meara added: "This was an organised operation, however, as a result of the delayed deployment of the Public Order Unit it was extremely fortunate that our members did not suffer more serious injuries than those that were sustained.

"We will now be raising this matter with the Commissioner and senior garda management and we will express serious concerns on whether lessons were learned from the incidents of last November and demand that we are better prepared for any possible future attacks.

"The safety of our members is paramount."

Court appearances

Last night, some 15 people appeared before a special sitting of Dublin's Criminal Courts in relation to yesterday's incidents.

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.”

Taoiseach Simon Harris today described scenes in Coolock as “reprehensible and despicable”, and he rejected assertions there was not enough community engagement on plans for new asylum seeker accommodation.

“Just to be very clear, when you decide to use a petrol bomb, you lose your right to be called a protestor," he said.

“I’m not quite sure why we have decided, in any manner or means, to legitimise in any way shape or form the actions of people who engaged in sheer thuggery."

Justice Minister Helen McEntee said she anticipated more arrests would take place while adding that bodycam footage from Gardaí would be used to help prosecute individuals.