Garda requests to media for Coolock unrest images 'dangerous' for journalists

Media outlets have in recent days received requests from An Garda Síochána to provide images it had taken of the unrest last week in Coolock. File photo: Niall Carson/PA

The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has urged gardaí to withdraw requests to media to provide images of recent public disorder in Dublin, warning it could have “potentially dangerous consequences” for journalists.

Media outlets have in recent days received requests from An Garda Síochána to provide images it had taken of the unrest last week in Coolock. Similar requests were made of journalists in the wake of the Dublin riots last November.

Furthermore, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has been publicly challenged about the requests from gardaí for such images. NUJ general secretary Seamus Dooley said that his organisation would be seeking a meeting with Mr Harris to discuss the matter.

“Reporters and photographers are independent witnesses, they are present to observe and report on the actions of all parties, including the gardaí,” he said.

“There is a real danger that if journalists are perceived as harvesting information for the gardaí, they will be perceived as legitimate targets by the sinister forces behind recent public order incidents.” 

Mr Dooley said the NUJ had worked with gardaí to develop best practice guidelines for journalists in high-risk situations and, against this backdrop, it is “both worrying and disappointing” the gardaí seemed intent on “ignoring the risks” involved.

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said: 'I have a lawful and legal and legislative responsibility to do all I can to gain evidence.' Photo: Brian Lawless/PA

“It is vital that journalists are allowed to record and report such incidents,” he added. “It would be ironic if the actions of the gardaí were to undermine the ability of media organisations to carry out this function."

Eamonn Farrell, the editor of Rollingnews.ie which supplies photographs to media outlets, said he also received a request to hand over images from events in Coolock.

“As you may be aware, over the last few months journalists have been intimidated, threatened, harassed, verbally abused and had their vehicles and registration numbers photographed by supporters of anti-migrant groups,” he said.

“The request you are making will, if acceded to, only inflame matters further and put the safety of visual journalists in further peril. 

I find it odd that gardaí are complaining of the level of danger their own members are in, and yet are prepared to put journalists' safety at risk by requesting that they become the eyes and ears of the State.

"For the reasons above, I cannot accede to your request and I would hope in understanding why, you will not pursue the matter."

The PA news agency was one of a number of outlets which was compelled to hand over pictures taken of the Dublin city centre disorder on November 23, 2023, after investigating gardaí secured an order from a Dublin District Court judge.

PA's editor-in-chief, Pete Clifton, voiced strong objections and warned of the safety implications for members of the media covering such incidents if a perception is created that content they are capturing will subsequently be used as evidence in criminal justice proceedings.

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Following a meeting of the Policing Authority on Thursday, Mr Harris said his obligation was to thoroughly investigate actions which are criminal in nature. “I have a lawful and legal and legislative responsibility to do all I can to gain evidence."

Mr Harris said gardaí would pursue the images by seeking permission or by gaining a court warrant.

Challenged that this could lead to media organisations not covering public order situations, Mr Harris responded: "It is my responsibility to investigate and to bring offenders to justice and that is through obtaining whatever evidence I can."