Issue Date: 19th July 2024
This evening, Gardaí attended a large, planned public gathering in Coolock, Dublin 17. This passed off peacefully.
A short time later an incident of public disorder occurred along a stretch of the Malahide Road. A policing operation was in place which included the deployment of uniformed Gardaí and Garda Public Order Unit members with helmets and shields.
A small fire which had also broken out at the same location during this incident was attended to and contained by Dublin Fire Brigade.
Throughout the graduated response to de-escalate this incident of public disorder, members of An Garda Síochána were subjected to both verbal and physical abuse including rocks, concrete bricks and other objects being thrown at them.
As this intensified, Gardaí were required to use force to defend themselves while continuing to adopt a graduated approach to policing, with enforcement as a last resort. This use of force involved the use of incapacitant spray and the ASP baton.
One man (20s) was arrested and was brought to a Garda Station in Dublin for public order offences.
Three members of An Garda Síochána have been injured. One member has been transferred to hospital tonight for treatment of their facial injuries.
A section of the Malahide Road, Coolock which was closed for a period has now fully reopened to motorists.
An Garda Síochána is aware of a significant degree of disinformation and inaccuracy in circulation regarding events at this location – it is advised to independently verify any of this information shared online via social media and/or through messaging apps.
Investigations into this and other related incidents are ongoing.
No further information is available at this time.
