Two arrested as gardaí use pepper spray during pro-Palestine protest at Dublin Port

A statement from Garda Headquarters said the use of pepper spray followed 'a coordinated and concerted effort' to breach the garda line.

Two people were arrested earlier today after a pro-Palestine protest group attempted to break through a garda cordon securing access to Dublin Port.

The garda cordon had been established after Thursday’s demonstrations blocked access to the port for several hours.

A statement from Garda Headquarters said the use of pepper spray followed “a coordinated and concerted effort” to breach the garda line.

Videos circulating online show a single line of gardaí standing across the road, some with folded arms, as a crowd of protesters, their arms linked, marched toward them.

The crowd did not stop and tried to push through the garda line, momentarily forcing officers backward. Gardaí raised their hands to resist but were again pushed back as protesters continued to advance.

Several videos show some gardaí at risk of being pushed into a parked patrol car, prompting one officer to call for “pepper spray.” 

A member of the Public Order Unit then used a large canister of pepper spray on the crowd, discharging it several times. Two other officers also deployed pepper spray, forcing protesters to retreat.

Footage shows several protesters being detained, with some carried or dragged by gardaí into a prisoner transport van.

The Dublin Port protest followed Thursday’s demonstration, which blocked traffic for hours and angered truck drivers and other road users.

A statement issued this afternoon by garda HQ said: “Gardaí attended at and monitored a number of public gatherings in Dublin city today, Saturday 4th October 2025. During the afternoon a protest group gathered in the East Wall area, Dublin 1.” 

The statement acknowledged the constitutional right to peaceful assembly, subject to statutory provisions.

It added that An Garda Síochána respects the right of citizens to exercise their constitutional rights, within the limits of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1984 and other legislation.

“As the public gathering moved towards Dublin Port Tunnel this afternoon a garda cordon was established to prevent a protest blocking the Port Tunnel in order to maintain traffic movement through key infrastructure (Dublin Port Tunnel and the M50).

“An Garda Síochána attempted to engage with the protest group over the course of the afternoon to disperse the protest in a voluntary manner.” 

Despite these efforts, gardaí said there was “a coordinated and concerted effort to physically breach the garda cordon.” 

The statement said that gardaí escalated their response in line with procedure.

“Members of the Garda National Public Order Unit, dressed in ’soft cap’ uniform, supported by frontline uniformed gardaí, intervened to prevent a breach of the garda cordon which included the use of incapacitant spray on protesters.

“Two individuals have been arrested for public order offences and have been brought to garda stations in the Dublin region.” 

Following further engagement, gardaí said the protest was dispersed, and no injuries were reported.

Traffic flow has since returned to normal.

An Garda Síochána said it will continue to investigate the incident as a matter of public disorder.