Posted by Bricks thrown, arrests made at site of Coolock disturbances
Updated / Monday, 15 Jul 2024 17:04
Crime Correspondent
A number of people have been arrested amid disturbances in Coolock in Dublin at the site of the former Crown Paints factory, which is due to be developed for International Protection applicants.
The Garda Public Order Unit has been deployed, and incapacitant spray has been used.
A number of fires were lit and machinery set on fire earlier this afternoon.
Bricks were thrown as gardaí and fire service personnel came under attack. Workers who were due to begin renovating the premises were removed.
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has said those involved in the disturbances will face the “full rigours of the law”.
Ms McEntee said she was “appalled” by what happened and that she has been assured by Garda Commissioner Drew Harris “that everything will be done to bring those responsible to justice”.
Gardaí said they were dealing with a “public order incident” at the site and diverted traffic, including around the Malahide Road.
Footage posted on social media shows a fire beside an excavator and trees and masked individuals shouting abuse at people.
Dublin Fire Brigade has been called to the scene.
Watch: Machinery set on fire at former Crown Paints factory
The site is being considered for accommodation for up to 500 people and the Department of Integration said it would fully engage with public and community leaders.
In a statement, the Department said “a provider attempted to begin work” at the site this morning and the work is anticipated to take several weeks.
“Protests at the entrance to this site have delayed work beginning on this site for several months,” the Department said
“The Department condemns all acts of criminality and intimidation of providers and their employees.”
Earlier, the Department said the “proposal is for modular units placed inside the warehouse, providing mixed use accommodation for families, couples, single adult males and single adult females”.
It also said “an experienced and trusted accommodation provider has expressed interest in the delivery of the accommodation and attendant security services under this proposal” and that “people seeking International Protection would be accommodated on a gradual basis under the proposal, and an estimated 500 people may be housed there”.
Dublin City Council’s joint policing committee was told earlier this year that the protests against the use of the site for international protection applicants had “a criminal element embedded” within them.
Sinn Féin councillor Daithí Dolan said that he was aware of one individual who has been acting as an “ambassador” for the protest who is a “convicted drug dealer” and who previously “boasted of flooding Ireland with drugs”.
He added that the same individual has a “political pedigree” through past involvement with the extremist British National Party.
Gardaí have said they will facilitate public protest but intervene if demonstrations breach the “criminal threshold”.
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