Gardaí monitoring dissident republican fringe groups fuelling Dublin riots

Security sources describe the groups as 'opportunists' looking to exploit tensions to boost their visibility

Gardaí gather outside the Citywest hotel for  third night in a row. Assistant Commissioner for Dublin Cliona Richardson said a strong Garda presence will stay at Citywest for the coming days. Picture: Colin Keegan/Collins

Fringe dissident republican groups are openly supporting and taking part in protests outside the Citywest asylum accommodation centre, with Garda security services keeping a close eye on their involvement.

The Irish Examiner understands that these same groups — comprising a “few dozen” members — have been behind much of the placing of the Tricolour in certain parts of the greater Dublin area, as well as in Cork and Kilkenny.

The development comes as gardaí faced a third day of protests last night, with the main Garda staff body calling for a “more robust response” to the violence after four gardaí were hospitalised from being hit by projectiles on Wednesday.

Security sources describe the republican groups as “opportunists”, looking to exploit wider tensions to boost their visibility, but with the effect of creating an intimidating environment for foreigners and further fuelling anti-immigrant and far-right sentiment.

One of the republican groups issued a statement on Wednesday saying they had joined protests on Tuesday night outside Citywest Hotel and on Thursday posted a video of one of their members speaking at Wednesday night’s protest.

Security services are understood to currently assess these groups as having “limited capacity” in terms of violence, but they are being closely monitored.

There is concern that one of the leaders of the groups, a former dissident republican prisoner, has a close connection with a significant figure in the anti-immigrant movement. The groups have previously been linked with some of Ireland’s far-right parties. The republican groups also have connections with far-right nationalist organisations in Europe.

In addition, the republican groups are suspected of putting up sectarian posters targeting presidential candidate Heather Humphries.

Dieter Reinisch, author of research and academic papers on both the Provisional IRA and dissident organisations, said that while these groups are small in number, they are “experienced activists” in street protests.

The Garda van that was set alight on Tuesday the first night of the violent protests outside the Citywest hotel. Picture: RollingNews.ie

Mr Reinisch said the republican groups come from a traditional socialist republican background but have adjusted their politics in line with the views of members.

“For some in these groups, this was not enough, and they broke away and formed their own groups — although small, we are talking of a few dozen people,” he said.

“But these are experienced activists in street protests, and some of them also have past involvement in militant dissident republicanism. This could lend the Irish far right the necessary ‘riot’ experience that the far right currently lacks.”

On Wednesday, the Garda Representative Association (GRA) said the protests at Citywide were “nothing but the continuation of violent riotous behaviour from night to night” with the sole intention of causing damage to property and injury to their members.

GRA vice president Niall Hodgins said: “We have grave concerns for the safety of our members and colleagues, especially those deployed initially to face these violent thugs prior to the deployment of the public order units. 

It is becoming obvious that a more robust response is required far earlier to ensure no further injuries are inflicted on our members.

Four gardaí were injured on Wednesday, including one member who was struck in the face by an object. They received hospital treatment but were discharged. The gardaí were bombarded by missiles, including glass bottles, bricks, and broken pavements, as well as fireworks.

Much of the violence appears to have been carried out by young troublemakers and criminals. One source described them as “recreational rioters” with little interest in politics or links to far-right groups, other than responding to inflammatory social media posts and calls for action.

Garda bosses again publicly urged young people, in particular young males, not to get caught up in the social media posts and not to go to protests intent on carrying out violence, warning them it could result in prosecution and court conviction.

Assistant Commissioner for Dublin Cliona Richardson said a strong Garda presence will stay at Citywest for the coming days.