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They were arrested during what was billed as a “peaceful gathering” on St. Patrick’s Bridge around 4 pm, which had been organized and promoted on social media calling for “an end to the lockdown.”
All three were taken to Bridewell Garda station, where they were charged in connection with breaching Covid regulations.
The three men were taken to Bridewell Garda Station, where they were later charged. All three are due to appear in Cork City District Court on April 14, 2021 at 10.30am. M.
The arrests come ahead of another planned anti-lockdown rally in the city this Saturday.
A major police operation will take place for the event.
It is being promoted by the same people behind the so-called “rally for the truth” in the center of the city on March 6, which was attended by some 700 people who called for an end to the confinement.
The Gardaí had mounted “a comprehensive and comprehensive police plan” on the day that more than 200 members of the force participated, including the Garda Mounted Unit, the Garda Dog Unit and the Garda National Public Order Unit.
But none of the three units were deployed when the event passed without incident.
However, two men were arrested in the city during the afternoon: one street artist for breach of Section 31 (a) (9) of the Health Act of 1947 and the other for public order offenses.
Under Operation Fanacht, the ongoing national operation to enforce the 5km travel restriction, additional high visibility checkpoints were established on the M7, M8, N25 and other access routes into Cork City that day.
Four people, three men and one woman, who according to Gardaí were linked to the event in the city of Cork were arrested as part of this police operation.
The arrests were made in Kildare, Kerry and County Cork in respect of individuals for failing to comply with Garda instructions under section 31 (a) (7) of the Health Act of 1947, as amended.
Gardaí had warned members of the public in advance not to attend the protest in the city center.
They have issued the same warning ahead of the event planned for this Saturday.
Former county councilor Diarmaid Ó Cadhla, who promoted the truth rally and is also promoting Saturday’s event, said she has two goals.
“First of all, the people are demanding an end to the blockade; it is not having any impact on the virus and it is causing more harm than good, both for our health and for the economy, ”he said.
“Second, people want a public health service that treats all diseases, not one focused on Covid-19 and neglecting other deadly diseases.”
He accused NPHET of giving “half truths” and the government of “alarming.”
He said: “People are scared as if there is a killer plague sweeping Ireland, which is not the case – the vast majority of people infected with Covid recover without even knowing they have it.”
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