McEntee seeks approval for laws to ban wearing of face masks at protests

Justice Minister Helen McEntee said there have been a 'small number of people' engaging in violent disorder at protests while covering their faces, leading her  to consider the new legislation.

The right to protest is a cornerstone of Irish democracy but people should not have the right to “instill fear or intimidate” others, Justice Minister Helen McEntee has said.

Ms McEntee was speaking as she prepares to seek Cabinet approval for new laws that would ban the wearing of face masks at protests.

She said there have been a “small number of people” engaging in violent disorder at protests while covering their faces, leading her  to consider the new legislation.

“That shouldn’t be allowed. It makes the gardaí’s job more difficult,” Ms McEntee said.

So what I’m doing here is assisting the gardaí, making sure that those who are responsible for these types of crimes, causing intimidation and instilling fear, that they can be brought to justice.

Ms McEntee described her proposal as being “another piece of armory” for gardaí in responding to violent protests.

“No person should have a right to instill fear or to intimidate any other individual. This is simply me as Minister for Justice saying we shouldn’t tolerate that and I will do what I can to prevent that from happening.” 

It was previously reported that under the proposed laws, masks worn for medical reasons or, other reasons such as cold weather, would be permitted.

People wearing masks, such as balaclavas, have been seen at anti-migrant and far-right protests over the last year.

Ms Entee said she is currently working with both the Attorney General and the Garda Commissioner to ensure that the proposed laws can be “applied in the most efficient way possible”.

However, Ms McEntee said that she did not have a specific timeline for the implementation of such laws, saying that drafting the legislation would need to take place first.

She made the comments after being questioned whether or not the laws would be in place in advance of the next general election.

“Until the election is actually called, there will be constant speculation as to when it is. The only person who can decide that is the Taoiseach and obviously we’ll work closely with our coalition partners in that regard,” she said.