Dublin’s streets were the scene of tense confrontations on Friday as anti-immigration protesters clashed with police, resulting in 19 arrests. The demonstrations, which began peacefully in the morning, escalated into public order incidents by mid-afternoon.
The protests started at O’Connell Street, with demonstrators carrying Irish flags and banners reading “Erin Go Bragh” and “You’ll Never Beat the Irish.” The crowd, demanding stricter border controls, marched to Leinster House before returning to O’Connell Bridge.
As the day progressed, the situation intensified. At around 5 PM, protesters staged a sit-down demonstration on O’Connell Bridge, defying police orders to disperse. This act of civil disobedience prompted the deployment of Garda Public Order Units.
In a dramatic turn of events, several protesters were forcibly removed from the bridge. Eyewitnesses reported angry scenes as individuals were placed in police vans. The bridge was eventually cleared, with protesters moving further up O’Connell Street before dispersing.
The Garda spokesperson stated that throughout the day, police attempted to engage with protesters and issued directions to disperse. However, when these were not heeded, enforcement became necessary as a last resort.
The protests caused significant disruption to Dublin’s city center, with road closures affecting traffic and public transportation. Dublin Bus reported major delays, and the Luas Green Line experienced temporary disruptions.
In response to the unrest, a counter-demonstration of anti-racism protesters also gathered in the city, chanting “far-right loyalists, get off our streets.” Police maintained a presence between the two groups to prevent direct confrontations.
According to The Journal, Garda officials have confirmed that investigations are ongoing. Uniform officers and Public Order Units will continue to patrol Dublin City Centre throughout the evening to maintain order.
As Dublin recovers from this day of unrest, questions about immigration policy and public protest are likely to remain at the forefront of public discourse in the coming days.