Over 20 people arrested after anti-immigration protesters cleared from Dublin city centre

A total of twenty two people were arrested as gardaí dealt with a number of public order incidents at anti-immigration protests in Dublin city centre.

Several hundred people gathered on O'Connell Street for an anti-immigration march - organised by a group calling itself Citizens of Éire - to Leinster House.

In a statement, a garda spokesperson said that from early morning, 100 uniform gardaí were on-duty to facilitate protests, including one that was led from O’Connell Street to Leinster House, as well as one at Grafton Street.

However, in the course of the protests, gardaí were required to respond to a number of public order incidents, including one that occurred at Grafton Street at around 2:30pm.

Gardaí then implemented a graduated policing response, with enforcement “as a last resort”.

The garda spokesperson said that throughout the day, “gardaí engaged with protestors and directions were given to those that had gathered at O’Connell Bridge to disperse from the area within the hour”.

After protesters had moved from O’Connell Street to Leinster House and back again, they undertook a sit-down protest on O’Connel Bridge at around 5pm.

“This direction was not adhered to and two Garda Public Order Units were subsequently deployed,” said the garda spokesperson.

Several anti-immigration protesters were forcibly removed from O’Connell Bridge.

Those 22 arrested included 14 men and 8 women, ranging in age from their 20s to 60s. Sixteen individuals have been charged, primarily with Public Order Offences, along with charges of Assault, Criminal Damage, and Possession of a Knife.

Of those arrested, one male has already been charged and has appeared before the courts.

Three individuals are due to appear before Dublin District Court this morning, Friday, 20th September 2024, at the Criminal Courts of Justice, Court No. 1, at 10:30 am. Thirteen others have been charged and released, with court appearances scheduled over the coming weeks.

The remaining individuals will be dealt with under the Adult Caution scheme.