Second man arrested after Clonmel protest at construction site for refugee housing

Garda car had tyres slashed during protests at site earmarked for 80 modular homes to house Ukrainian refugees

Protesters can be seen goading gardaí in videos from the scene. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

A second man has been arrested for public order offences after a Garda car had its tyres slashed during protests at a site in Clonmel when construction workers moved in to build modular homes for refugees. 

Some 15 protestors had been at the site on Tuesday, with the first arriving at about 7.30am.

Earlier this year, security workers at the site were assaulted, and required hospital treatment. Vehicles at the site were also damaged.

Construction workers had moved in to build an entrance to the Tipperary site on Tuesday morning.

About 80 modular homes for Ukrainian refugees are planned for the site as the country continues to grapple with a housing and accommodation crisis.

Videos circulating on social media which appear to be from the scene of the protest show a heavy Garda presence on the street as work is under way with machines on a greenfield site. Protesters can be seen goading gardaí in videos from the scene.

About two-thirds of the protesters were local, a witness at the scene said.

But social media live streams were also being broadcast from the protest by anti-immigrant protesters who do not live in the area.

One man in his 20s was subsequently arrested on Tuesday afternoon. 

Shortly after 11pm on Wednesday, a second man, also aged in his 20s, was arrested under the Public Order Act at Heywood Road, Clonmel. He was later taken to a Garda station in the Tipperary Division and has since been charged. 

He is scheduled to appear before Cashel District Court on Thursday morning. 

An Garda Síochána said it respected citizens' constitutional right to protest but this right did not extend to breaches of criminal law, the interference with the rights of other citizens to carry out their daily activities, or to attack members of An Garda Síochána.

"Any Garda activity in relation to evolving events involves a graduated policing response, taking into account relevant legislation and public safety, with enforcement as a last resort," a Garda spokesperson said.