The group was protesting outside Leinster House

Gardaí have come under fire for using excessive force to arrest members of Mothers Against Genocide while they protested outside Leinster House on March 31st.
⁠
The group was protesting the ongoing slaughter in Gaza outside the Dáil peacefully when the Gardaí apprehended them⁠.

They held an overnight camp-out to honour the 18,000+ children murdered by Israel’s genocide.

It is believed that eight women from the Mothers Against Genocide were arrested.

Gardaí have been slated for using excessive force during a peaceful protest.

Footage of the incident has been slated online, with the public defending the Mothers Against Genocide group.

One said: "Why are all the guards there? I was at the vigil last night. It was a moving peaceful outpouring of grief and solidarity. It was a solemn inclusive vigil."

"This is no way to approach a peaceful protest. Thanks to these women for using their voices to speak for the tens of thousands of children being murdered and starved in Gaza," another wrote.

The group held a vigil on Mother's Day to remember the children and mothers killed in Gaza.

Mothers against Genocide staged the peaceful protest "to call for the Irish Government to act on the ever-worsening genocide in the Palestinian Occupied Territories."

They were due to deliver a letter demanding action on Monday morning.

Speaking to The Irish Times, Megan Ní Ghabhláin of Mothers against Genocide said the group planned to leave after delivering their letter.

Instead of supporting Palestine and passing the Occupied Territories Bill, the Government is cracking down on activists like Mothers against Genocide.

The Irish people stand up for Palestine, and it’s time the Government does the same 🇮🇪🇵🇸#gaza #palestine #westbank #genocide pic.twitter.com/AYfucCaqWM

— Senator Chris Andrews #stopthegenocide (@chrisandrews64) March 31, 2025

Gardaí acted "in the most disrespectful manner" and removed the protestors from outside Leinster House.

"Unfortunately, the gardaí then decided it was a good time to come down and remove eight of us and arrest us, eight mothers who had obligations today on school runs.”

"It was a complete escalation and absolutely unnecessary," she said.

"It also gives an indication of where the priorities of the Garda lie."