Gardaí make 19 arrests after public order incidents at Dublin protests

Thursday saw several gatherings across the capital as anti-immigration demonstrators and anti-racism activists staged rival events

Gardaí form a barrier between protesters and counter-protesters on Grafton St.  Picture: PA

A total of 19 people were arrested as gardaí dealt with public order incidents during planned protests in Dublin on Thursday.

Several anti-immigration protesters were forcibly removed from O'Connell St Bridge in the city centre after gardaí moved to break up a sit-down demonstration there.

Gardaí using loud hailers had ordered the protesters to leave the bridge before moving in to disperse them. 

By around 5pm the bridge was cleared as protesters moved further up O’Connell St.

Gardaí form a line on O’Connell Bridge, Dublin. Picture: Sam Boal/Collins Photo

Thursday afternoon saw a number of gatherings across the capital as anti-immigration demonstrators and anti-racism activists staged rival events.

Anti-immigration protesters gathered outside the GPO before 2pm, before making their way towards Leinster House.

Some of those present carried Irish flags, “Erin go Bragh” banners, and flags displaying the slogan 'You’ll Never Beat the Irish'.

More than 100 anti-racism counter-protesters also gathered close to the nearby junction of Dawson St and Molesworth St. 

As the groups passed each other they exchanged insults and chanted as a significant number of gardaí on site formed a line to ensure the groups were kept apart.

Several road closures were put in place as a result of Thursday's protests, but O’Connell St, Eden Quay, Bachelors Walk, Aston Quay, and Westmoreland St all later reopened to traffic.

Garda vans line Dublin's O'Connell St. Picture:  Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews.ie

From early on Thursday morning, 100 uniformed gardaí were on duty in the city as part of a policing operation to facilitate the protests.

A garda spokesperson said officers were "required to respond to a number of public order incidents" on Thursday afternoon, including one which occurred on Grafton St at around 2.30pm.

"In order to ensure the safety of all protesters and the general public, gardaí implemented a graduated policing response, taking into account relevant legislation, with enforcement as a last resort," the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said 19 arrests were made over the course of the day, and investigations are ongoing. 

No injuries were reported. 

Uniformed gardaí and Garda public order units said they would be remaining on proactive patrol in Dublin city centre for the remainder of Thursday evening.