Three gardai injured in disorder over Dublin site earmarked for asylum seekers

By Rebecca Black (PA)

Three gardai have been injured in the latest disturbances to break out at a site in Dublin earmarked for accommodation for asylum seekers.

A fire also broke out at the disused factory in north Dublin following a protest over the site being earmarked to house asylum seekers.

There have been protests as well as violent disorder at the former Crown Paints factory in Coolock across the last week the over government’s plans for the site.

Gardai said officers attended a large planned public gathering in the area which passed off peacefully.

However a short time later disorder broke out nearby and there was a fire.

A Garda spokesperson said officers were subjected to both physical and including rocks, concrete bricks and other objects being thrown at them.

Three gardai were injured in the incident, and one was brought to hospital for treatment to facial injuries.

One man, aged in his 20s, was arrested on suspicion of public order offences.

During the policing operation, uniformed gardai and public order unit members with helmets and shields were deployed.

In a statement gardai said: “Throughout the graduated response to de-escalate this incident of public disorder, members of An Garda Siochana were subjected to both verbal and physical abuse including rocks, concrete bricks and other objects being thrown at them.

“As this intensified, Gardai were required to use force to defend themselves while continuing to adopt a graduated approach to policing, with enforcement as a last resort.

“This use of force involved the use of incapacitant spray and the ASP baton.

“One man (20s) was arrested and was brought to a Garda Station in Dublin for public order offences.”

Gardai also cautioned about a “significant degree of disinformation and inaccuracy in circulation regarding events at this location”.

They urged: “It is advised to independently verify any of this information shared online via social media and/or through messaging apps.

“Investigations into this and other related incidents are ongoing.”

Protesters take part in a demonstration in Coolock, north Dublin, over a local disused factory being earmarked to house asylum seekers (Photos by PA)