Two men, one in his 30s and second in his 40s, have been arrested for Public Order offences during City Centre protests in Dublin. The arrests came as Gardaí were forced to intervene when large groups with opposing views gathered in the City Centre from early afternoon.
A full Garda operation was in place from early morning involving up to 100 Garda personnel from the DMR South Central & North Central Divisions and National Public Order Unit supported by the Garda Dog and Mounted Units.
From approximately 12.30pm two protest groups began assembling in the Molesworth Street / Kildare Street and St Stephens Green areas. Garda members were forced to intervene on a number of occasions during the course of the afternoon to keep opposing sides apart and maintain public safety before the groups eventually dispersed without any serious incident shortly after 3.30pm.
An investigation focused on the organisers of both protests is now underway.
Note to Editor
An Garda Síochána has no role in permitting or authorising protest marches, there is no permit /authorisation required for such events.
Although the Public Health regulations do not prohibit protest marches / gatherings, they do provide an offence for a person to organise such events. An Garda Síochána is investigating all such protest marches.
Where possible An Garda Síochána has advised identified organisers organising such events as to their responsibilities and potential consequences.
Public Health Regulations regulate the wearing of face coverings on public transport and certain retail spaces, not in open air settings.
