Garda Commissioner condemns ‘unacceptable’ disorder at Co Wicklow protest

The Garda Commissioner has described scenes of disorder at a Co Wicklow site earmarked for asylum seekers as unacceptable and disgraceful.

Gardai came under attack in Newtownmountkennedy as protests during the day on Thursday descended into violence later in the evening.

Taoiseach Simon Harris and Justice Minister Helen McEntee have condemned the incidents.

The trouble flared after workers contracted to carry out construction work on the former HSE facility attempted to enter the site. The Department of Integration has identified the site as a potential accommodation option for international protection applicants.

Six arrests were made during what the Garda described as “serious public disorder”.

Three men and a woman have been charged with public order offences. They were scheduled to appear before a district judge later on Friday.

Another man charged in relation to the disorder has been released to appear before court at a later date.

One male juvenile has been released without charge and will be referred to the Youth Diversion Project.

The Garda Public Order Unit was deployed during the trouble. A Garda statement said gardai “used force to defend themselves”, including the use of pepper spray, as part of an “escalated response” to the violence.

Three Garda patrol cars were damaged.

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris visited the location at Newtownmountkennedy on Friday morning. He rejected the suggestion gardai may have been heavy-handed.

“There were very unacceptable scenes seen here in terms of a protest, which then turned to violence,” he said.

“We’ve seen an attempt to burn a small outhouse-type premises, but also then disgracefully attacks on members of An Garda Siochana who were attacked with stones and indeed vehicles have been damaged.”

Mr Harris said one patrol vehicle was damaged with a full-sized axe, with the rear and front windows smashed.

He said there were also attempts to injure Garda members.

“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,” he said.

Taoiseach Mr Harris said gardai should be supported in upholding the laws of the land.

“This is a country of laws. Attacks on gardai should be condemned by all,” a spokesman for the Taoiseach said.

Minister McEntee defended the approach taken by gardai.

“I don’t think anybody looking at pictures from last night would disagree with the approach that the gardai have taken,” she told Newstalk.