Commissioner Harris condemns 'unacceptable' attacks on gardaí at Wicklow site for asylum seekers

Garda Commisioner Drew Harris has condemned the "unacceptable scenes" at Newtownmountkennedy, county Wicklow following a protest at a site earmarked to accommodate asylum seekers.

Unrest broke out late on Thursday night, April 26, in an incident which Gardaí said developed as a result of workers, contracted to carry out lawful employment on the site, entering the site in county Wicklow.

There have been ongoing protests in the area since construction work began last month on the former HSE site, where the Department of Integration said it was considering locating 20 eight-person tents for international protection applicants.

Condemning the attacks on gardaí, Taoiseach Simon Harris said gardaí are "charged with upholding the laws of the land and they should be supported in doing so".

"Attacks on gardaí should be condemned by all." 

Six people were arrested following Thursday night's violence, which saw members of An Garda Síochana, who had been subjected to verbal abuser by the protestors throughout the day, come under attack by protestors throwing " rocks and other missiles", according to a garda spokesperson.

Speaking during a visit to Newtownmountkennedy this Friday, Commissioner Harris stated 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," he continued.

"As we can see with a normal patrol vehicle, both front window and the rear window have been smashed with an axe, not a hatchet, a full size axe. And also then we've had another vehicle lights broken and the Public Order vehicle with its tyres slashed.”

"Beyond that, there was there were attempts to injure members of An Garda Síochána. Rubble and stones were thrown from fields and members had to deploy in protective public order equipment and shields to make sure that they could protect themselves from the assaults upon them," Commissioner Harris added.

Six arrests were made by gardaí during Thursday’s serious public disorder, according to a statement released by An Garda Síochána.

Three men and one woman have been charged for offences contrary to the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994. They will appear before the District Court later this Friday.

One man has been charged with alleged offences contrary to the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997 and the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1997, and released to appear before court at a later date.

One male juvenile has been released without charge. A referral will be prepared for the Youth Diversion Project in accordance with the Children Act 2001.