Gardaí to ‘fully co-operate’ with UK riot probes

Ms McEntee said she assured the UK Home Secretary of 'full co-operation of gardaí, if needed.' File Picture: Colin Keegan/ Collins Dublin

Gardaí will provide “full co-operation” to investigations into anyone who took part in recent violent disorder in the UK, the Justice Minister has said.

Helen McEntee said she reaffirmed a shared commitment with the UK Government on a range of matters during a call with UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.

Ms McEntee said gardaí would fully co-operate with all investigations involving any people from Ireland who have participated in recent riots.

In a statement, she said: “We discussed the ongoing disturbances across the United Kingdom over the last week.

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA

“We spoke about the common challenges faced by governments and countries across Europe, including similar escalations of violence in Ireland in recent times with anti-migrant undercurrents.

Assaulting police officers, burning buildings and attacking public amenities cannot be tolerated in a democratic society.

“We agreed on the importance of countering racism, supporting our migrant communities, and bringing to justice the perpetrators of such terrible violence.

“I noted the strong, ongoing co-operation between the gardaí and UK police services and assured the Home Secretary of the full co-operation of gardaí, if needed, on investigations involving any people from this jurisdiction who have participated in acts of violent disorder.

“We also spoke about protecting the Common Travel Area, which is vital to the daily lives of so many Irish and British citizens, and our joint commitment to preventing any abuse of it.”

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