Gardaí seize petrol bombs near former Crown Paints warehouse in Coolock

There have been four fires in the building in the last four nights, while a fifth fire last Monday saw a digger and mattresses set alight

All of the devices and materials seized have now been sent for further technical examination and analysis. Picture: An Garda Síochána

Gardaí in Dublin have seized a number of petrol bombs following searches near the former Crown Paints warehouse in Coolock.

There have been four fires in the building in the last four nights, while a fifth fire last Monday saw a digger and mattresses targeted.

It comes after a week of unrest in the area over the proposed housing of 500 international protection applicants at the site.

Last Tuesday, gardaí conducted searches of the Moatfield Avenue and Dunree Park areas.

During these searches, seven glass and plastic bottles of various sizes were discovered. These bottles contained a flammable liquid and were found alongside a number of empty glass bottles and rags.

Plastic bottles containing a mixture of paint and oil, as well as packets of water balloons, were also recovered. All of the devices and materials seized have now been sent for further technical examination and analysis.

According to gardaí, such devices "risk serious harm to human life as well as criminal damage to property".

And while An Garda Síochána "respects the right for citizens to exercise their constitutional rights; this right does 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."

Gardaí say that an incident room has now been established at Coolock Garda Station and a senior investigating officer has also been appointed. Gardaí are in the process of collating and harvesting CCTV and social media images from the events on Monday, July 15.

According to gardaí, such devices 'risk serious harm to human life as well as criminal damage to property'. Picture: An Garda Síochána

They are also appealing to anyone who may have witnessed these incidents to come forward.

In a statement, a Garda spokesperson said: "Any road users with camera footage (including dash-cam) who were on the Malahide Road or surrounding areas on Monday 15th July 2024, between 9am and 8pm, are asked to make this footage available to Gardaí. 

"Anyone who may have observed incendiary devices being gathered or persons in possession of such material is asked to come forward to Gardaí.

"An Garda Síochána continues to appeal to any person with any information on the events on Monday or has any information on persons organising or involved in Monday’s events to contact the Garda investigation team.

"The Garda investigation team can also be contacted at Coolock Garda station at 01 666 42000, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda station."