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15 people charged in connection with Coolock public order incident

Published 10:05 16 Jul 2024 BST

Updated 16:12 17 Jul 2024 BST

Simon Kelly

15 people charged in connection with Coolock public order incident

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Over 200 Gardaí were at the scene.

15 people have been charged following a "serious public order incident" in Coolock on Monday.

Shocking scenes unfolded on Monday after anti-asylum seeker protests erupted into violence which saw a JCB set on fire and bricks thrown at gardaí.

Over 200 members of An Garda Síochána rushed to the scene, including members of the Garda Public Order Unit.

Gardaí used pepper spray as well as Public Order Unit shields to disperse the crowd after tensions escalated into violence.

15 people charged in connection with Coolock public order incident

In a statement on Monday evening, a Garda spokesperson said:

"Over 200 members of An Garda Síochána were deployed in the operation, including frontline uniformed Gardaí, supported by Public Order Gardaí.
"Gardaí 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 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 the Garda Air Support Unit.
"The use of force included the use of incapacitant spray and deployment of Public Order Gardaí in Public Order helmets and shields.
"An Garda Síochána is unaware of any injuries at this time.
"15 people appeared before a special sitting of the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin this evening."
"An Garda Síochána respects the right for citizens 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."

Gardaí also said they are aware of misinformation and disinformation being spread about the incident in Coolock and added that they will be making no further comment.

Speaking about yesterday's events, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris stated:

"This has been a difficult policing day. What we have seen today was unacceptable. We have seen attacks on Gardaí, criminal damage and offences of serious public disorder. All of these will be fully investigated. We have 15 people charged and we will have further chargers overnight.

"I would like to comment on how well members of An Garda Síochána, including local Gardaí and Public Order units dealt with a very volatile and difficult situation for over 12 hours.”

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