ARRESTS MADE

Six arrested as missiles thrown at gardai after fires lit at Wicklow site reserved for asylum seekers

The garda public order unit were deployed as the situation escalated

• Published: 9:18, 26 Apr 2024
• Updated: 10:43, 26 Apr 2024

SIX people have been arrested after missiles were thrown at gardai and fires were lit at a property earmarked for asylum seekers last night.

Five people have been charged as gardai continue to investigate.

Cops became the subject of “both verbal and physical abuse throughout the day”, which escalated into rocks and other missiles being thrown at them at the site in Co Wicklow.

Speaking after that visit Commissioner Harris said: “There were very unacceptable scenes seen here in terms of a protest, which then turned to violence”.

“We’ve seen an attempt to burn a small outhouse type premises, but also then disgracefully attacks on members of An Garda Síochána who were attacked with stones and indeed vehicles have been damaged, and one vehicle, the vehicle behind me, was damaged with an axe.”

“The use of force included the use of Incapacitant spray and deployment of Public Order Gardaí in Public Order helmets and shields.”

Gardai confirmed last night that no one was injured during this incident as far as they were aware.

People gathered at the entrance of the site were moved away from the entrance but remained in the area.

Six people were arrested last night and detained at Wicklow Garda stations.