By James Ward and Jonathan McCambridge, PA
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has said reports of a loyalist rally in Dublin in opposition to the Northern Ireland Protocol may be “no more than kite flying”.
But Mr Harris stressed that if such a protest did take place then the force would be “prepared for it”.
There have been a number of loyalist rallies in the North linked to the Protocol.
The Protocol is part of the Brexit deal which is opposed by some unionists and loyalists because of new trade barriers between the North and Britain.
Last month it was reported that loyalists were planning a major protest in Dublin.
Loyalist activist Jamie Bryson told the Sunday Independent newspaper that it would be a “colourful protest” with marching bands in the city.
He told the paper: “We are planning a mass rally sometime after July 12th, in the absence of a significant impact on the Protocol.
“If, on a busy Saturday afternoon, 300 loyalists arrived in the heart of Dublin for a peaceful protest, I’d imagine that may cause discomfort.”
No firm plan
But Mr Harris said he had not “seen anything by way of firm plan or intention”.
He added: “We will obviously be in contact with our colleagues in the Police Service of Northern Ireland and see what information they have.
“But at the same time, these seem to be tweets and public commentary.
“I’m going to wait until we see something definite before responding to, in effect, what are tweets which I think might just be no more than kite flying at this moment in time.”
He added: “Let’s actually see if there’s something which we need to plan for and prepare for.
“On the other side of this, I would say we are a very capable organisation in terms of keeping the peace and making sure that Dublin is a safe city.
“Whatever happens, we will be prepared for it.”
In 2006 a Love Ulster rally by loyalists through Dublin was abandoned following rioting and clashes between republican protesters and the gardaí, leading to a number of arrests and injuries.
