Violence has erupted and police officers come under sustained attack at a disused factory earmarked to accommodate asylum seekers in Dublin.
Garda cars were damaged during the disturbances as police used incapacitant spray on anti-immigration protesters who lobbed missiles outside the former Crown Paints factory in Coolock on Monday night.
Tensions flared yesterday morning after preparations were made to start work at the disused building. Protesters gathered, some with their faces covered, and fires were lit. Videos and pictures posted on social media showed a digger in flames.
Workers who were to begin renovating the premises were removed from the site. A protest camp was set up several months ago to stop workers renovating the premises, with people manning the site around the clock.
Footage on social media showed a stand-off between Gardai and protesters, with some demonstrators hurling abuse at officers.
Dozens of Gardai formed a line to bar access to protesters. Officers from a public order squad were also in the area as a Garda helicopter hovered overheard.
The violence escalated as bricks and fireworks were thrown at officers and firefighters, while bins and mattresses were set alight.
Traffic was diverted and one of the city’s main arteries, the Malahide Road, was shut for hours. A Garda car was set alight and two buses were surrounded as protesters moved towards Coolock Garda station.
Angry crowds had gathered on Monday evening after a call on social media for a protest at 6pm.
A gardai spokesman said officers would remain at the scene overnight, adding: “Over 200 members of An Garda Siochana were deployed in the operation, including frontline uniformed Gardai, supported by public order gardai.
“Gardai were subjected to both verbal and physical abuse throughout the day, which escalated into rocks, fireworks and other objects being launched towards them. A number of fires were lit and official Garda vehicles seriously damaged.
“As the situation intensified, members of An Garda Siochana used force to defend themselves as part of an escalated response to the situation. Assistance was provided by members of An Garda Siochana public order unit and the Garda air support unit.
“The use of force included the use of incapacitant spray and deployment of public order gardai in public order helmets and shields. An Garda Siochana is unaware of any injuries at this time.”
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris condemned the scenes as “unacceptable”, adding it had been a “difficult policing day”.
Taoiseach Simon Harris described the scenes as “reprehensible”, and said: “No person has a right to burn cars, damage property or attack members of An Garda Siochana and emergency services.
“These actions are criminal and are designed to sow fear and division.”
The Irish leader continued: “We should not accept them being legitimised in any way by describing them as ‘protest’. I want to thank An Garda Siochana, who have come under attack today. They have shown extraordinary professionalism.”
Fifteen people have since appeared in court charged with public order offences after the clashes.
Thirteen men and two women appeared before a late night sitting at the Criminal Courts of Justice on Monday.
All the defendants were released on bail and subject to the same bail conditions, including to stay away from the former Crown Paints site and not to engage in any antisocial behaviour or protests.
