Updated: 11.10am. Additional reporting by PA.
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has condemned an incident in Co Wicklow in which gardaí clashed with protesters at a site earmarked for the accommodation of asylum seekers.
Protests have been staged at the site at River Lodge, known as Trudder House, in Newtownmountkennedy for a number of days over considerations for it to be used to accommodate international protection applicants.
On Thursday, gardaí at the site “came under attack” in an incident which they said developed as a result of workers, contracted to carry out lawful employment on the site, entering the site.
A spokesperson from the Garda Press Office confirmed six people were arrested during the incident and a number of trespassers were also identified on and removed from the site.
Any attack on a member of an Garda Siochana is an attack on our democracy and our state. Gardai have my full support in their work & while peaceful protest is a right we all value, we will not tolerate vandalism and attacks on Gardai.
— Helen McEntee TD (@HMcEntee) April 26, 2024
The Garda spokesperson added: “Uniform gardaí have been the subject of both verbal and physical abuse throughout the day, which escalated into rocks and other missiles being thrown this evening.
“Fires have been lit and an axe has been recovered by Gardaí during this evening's incident.
“As the situation has intensified, members of An Garda Síochána used force to defend themselves as part of an escalated response to the situation.
“Assistance was provided by members of An Garda Síochána Public Order Unit and approximately 50 members of An Garda Síochána remain at the scene this evening. The use of force included the use of Incapacitant spray and deployment of Public Order Gardaí in Public Order helmets and shields,” the statement said.
Charges
In an update, Gardaí confirmed officers remain at the site, and five of those arrested have since been charged.
Three men and one woman have been charged with offences contrary to the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994. They are due to appear in court later on Friday.
Another man has been charged under the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997 and the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994, but has been released pending a court appearance at a later date.
A male juvenile was released without charge, and a referral will be made for the Youth Diversion Project in accordance with the Children Act 2001.
Ms McEntee condemned the incident on Friday morning, describing it as an attack on democracy.
The Minister tweeted: “Any attack on a member of An Garda Síochána is an attack on our democracy and our State.
“Gardaí have my full support in the work & while peaceful protest is a right we all value, we will not tolerate vandalism and attacks on gardaí.”
The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) also condemned the incident, claiming such matters are “evidence of escalating stand-offs with Gardaí which are worryingly becoming ever more frequent”.
Last resort
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris visited the scene at Newtownmountkennedy on Friday morning, where he lamented the “unacceptable scenes” on Thursday.
“We’ve seen an attempt to burn a small outhouse type premises, but also then disgraceful attacks on members of An Garda Síochána who were attacked with stones and indeed, vehicles have been damaged, and one vehicle, the vehicle behind me, was damaged with an axe,” Mr Harris said.
“As we can see with a normal patrol vehicle, both front window and the rear window have been smashed with an axe, not a hatchet, a full size axe. And also then we've had another vehicle lights broken and the Public Order vehicle with its tyres slashed.
“Beyond that, there was there were attempts to injure members of An Garda Síochána. Rubble and stones were thrown from fields and members had to deploy in protective public order equipment and shields to make sure that they could protect themselves from the assaults upon them,” he added.
The earlier Garda statement said that while the force respects the rights of people 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”.
“Any Garda activity in relation to evolving events involves a graduated policing response taking into account relevant legislation and public safety, with enforcement as a last resort.
“An Garda Síochána is also aware of misinformation and disinformation being spread in relation to this ongoing incident,” the statement added.
