[ad_1]
WELL MORE THAN A HUNDRED Gardaí participated in the response to this afternoon’s closing demonstrations in Dublin city center, and the force had braced for the possibility of events turning violent.
Officers identified the risk of violence in the event after monitoring conversations online in recent weeks, sources say, and put in place a comprehensive police plan to deal with the unrest.
This involved large numbers of Gardaí from the Public Order Unit, Dog Unit, as well as officers in uniform, the so-called soft-cap officers, to fill posts in Dublin city center.
Also involved were specialized civilian gardaí, street crime units based in the center of the city, and national units in charge of monitoring subversive elements and groups that may pose a threat to state security.
It is understood that the High Gardai, including Commissioner Drew Harris, took direct command of the operation from the city control room.
They directed resources to the area and monitored events as they unfolded on Garda’s CCTV cameras.
Gardaí was briefed mid-morning and then took positions. The plan was a gradual response: the visible police presence was of uniformed officers at first, they were replaced by law enforcement units as the threat increased, but those officers were not wearing full riot gear.
The protest was planned for Stephen’s Green at 2pm. But around lunchtime, Gardaí gave the order to close Stephen’s Green and Merrion Square parks and begin cleaning up the area.
The Grafton Street operation was being conducted on the ground by a superintendent from a downtown station.
Protesters set up a public address system near the entrance to the Stephen’s Green shopping center around 2pm and speeches were made. However, once they finished, the atmosphere in the crowd turned more hostile.
As this was happening, some in the crowd began shouting insults at Gardaí.
When officers formed a cordon to begin clearing the top of Grafton Street, a group of three in the crowd lit a firework and moved to the front of the crowd, throwing it at the public order line and officers in uniform. Fireworks were also launched during this phase of the protest.
Gardaí advanced in an attempt to arrest the suspects, batons drawn, and this caused a massive surge of people returning down Grafton Street towards the South Anne Street junction.
A “call for help” was issued to all units in the city and Gardaí from areas of Dublin flocked to help their colleagues.
Sources said Gardaí was able to disperse people down Grafton Street and eventually some staunch protesters made their way to O’Connell Street.
Several people were handing out National Party flyers at various locations in the city this afternoon. These brochures had slogans such as “Let Ireland Live!” and “Support the National Party. Support the end of the confinements ”.
The back of the steering wheel had other lines on how to fire the “Leinster House and Stormont” closures.
Sources said Gardaí believes that instead of being organized by one group, the protest planned for today was organized by several.
The event followed an online campaign in recent weeks calling on business owners to open nonessential retail and hotel businesses in defiance of public health laws.
“The crowd was made up of very different and disparate groups. Some anti-vax, some anti-lockdown, some from the right and some from the left, there were also suspicions of subversive Republican elements, ”said a source.
“This has been the case with several of these groups, from people who call themselves patriots to right-wing activists, but all would have conspiratorial opinions against the government.
“Gardaí on the ground also said that the vast majority of those who attended the event were local youth who just wanted a fight with the guards.”
Source: Sam Boal
Before today, the intelligence image was compiled by the Garda intelligence sections, with local headquarters at the Division’s Headquarters and at the National Crime and Security Unit.
The sources said that the information about the protest was serious in tone from the beginning and required the deployment of large numbers of Gardaí.
“The next phase will be to obtain the identities of those involved. A photograph of the male who launched the fireworks has already been distributed, ”said a source.
“The images will be collected and disseminated through the internal portal and garda newsletters, gardaí will be asked to name identities and these will be incorporated into the system.
“There were more than 20 arrests in the incident, but you can be sure there will be many more in the coming weeks.”
A statement issued by the Garda Press Office also confirmed that “disparate groups” were involved and said the initial focus of the operation was to prevent people from gathering.
The statement said that from 1:30 p.m. Gardaí was attacked, targeted with “fireworks, missiles and spit.”
No news is bad news
Support the magazine
You contributions help us continue to deliver the stories that are important to you
Support us now
23 people were arrested under public order legislation. Three Garda personnel were injured during the incident. One required hospital treatment for his injuries, which is understood to be a broken ankle.
“The police operation initially involved approximately 125 members of An Garda Síochána, uniformed personnel, plainclothes, law enforcement units, Garda mounted unit and Garda dog unit. During the course of the operation more resources were reallocated from across the DMR region in support, ”said a spokesperson.
Commissioner Harris added: “An Garda Síochána has made 23 arrests so far in connection with the riots in Dublin city center today. A major investigation is now underway to find and bring to justice those who have committed crimes today. Gardaí has also observed several people outside their home without a legitimate excuse.
“This was a protest that is outside the normal behaviors of our society. These are not mainstream groups, the vast majority of our society complies with regulations and lives within these regulations to suppress COVID-19.
“An Garda Síochána responded professionally today, resulting in a smooth return to the city center. We will maintain an active presence in the city tonight to ensure that the city center remains safe and secure tonight. “
Additional reporting Ian Curran
[ad_2]