An anti-immigration protest in Dublin’s city centre was dispersed by gardaí after several hours on Thursday, as 19 people were arrested in a large policing operation actioned to manage the demonstration.
Protesters blocked traffic for more than an hour during a sit-down demonstration on O’Connell Bridge that caused disruption to bus and Luas services.
Hundreds had gathered at the GPO earlier on Wednesday afternoon for the protest, which marched to Leinster House before returning to the O’Connell Street area. In a brief altercation, an antiracism counter-protest held at the bottom of Grafton Street saw insults exchanged between the opposing groups of demonstrators.
At about 5pm, members of the Garda public-order unit formed a line at the southern end of O’Connell Bridge, and issued a directive, under public-order legislation, ordering protesters to disperse from the area. Gardaí then moved on the protesters, dispersing them from the bridge and on to O’Connell Street.
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There were some minor scuffles between gardaí and protesters as they were moved on, with a handful physically restrained as they were arrested by public-order unit members. Some protesters verbally abused gardaí as they were moved on, while others shouted “peaceful protest”. By 5.45pm, gardaí had dispersed the crowd, and traffic was again moving freely up O’Connell Street.
The protesters held banners representing local movements against the housing of international protection applicants (IPAs) in communities in Dublin and Wicklow, including South Dublin Says No, Thornton Hall Says No and Newtown Says No. They also held Tricolours and flags bearing slogans “Erin go bragh” and “You’ll never beat the Irish”, and at O’Connell Bridge held speeches and led call-and-response chants, such as “Whose streets? Our streets.”
Earlier, the protesters traded insults with antiracism counter-protesters, although the confrontation passed off largely without incident. Barriers and a significant Garda presence, including scores of public-order unit members, separated the opposing protesters at the bottom of Grafton Street.
The protesters filmed each other and shouted various barbs, calling one another “traitors”. Some individuals present physically threatened counter-protesters through the Garda cordon, pointing and gesturing at individuals.
As the anti-immigration protest passed by the Garda cordon, counter-protesters engaged in call-and-response chants, including, “Refugees welcome, racists not”, and “When migrant rights are under attack, stand up, fight back.” They held Tricolours, Starry Plough flags and Palestinian flags.
The counter-protest was organised by coalition group United Against Racism, and was attended by People Before Profit representatives and other left-wing groups.
“The solidarity that we have here [with asylum seekers] is really strong, and it’s persistent,” Yvonne Kiely (31), an antiracism protester from Galway, said.
After passing the counter protest, the anti-immigration protest continued on Molesworth Street, a short distance from the gates of Leinster House. Protesters were prevented from approaching Leinster House by heavy-duty barriers and a Garda presence.
A number of people addressed the anti-immigration protesters on Molesworth Street, including Kildare councillor Tom McDonnell and unsuccessful local election candidates Ben Garrigan and Michelle Keane. Hermann Kelly, leader of the anti-immigration Irish Freedom Party (IFP), was present at the protest.
The crowd chanted “Sinn Féin are traitors”, “Fine Gael are traitors” and “Get them out.”
In a statement on Thursday evening, the Garda said its policing operation was managed from a central control room, and led by a chief superintendent.
“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,” a spokesman said.
The force said it was not aware of any injuries arising from the protests.
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