Taoiseach pressed over need for talks after Coolock disturbances

The Taoiseach has been pressed over the “urgent need” for engagement and dialogue over disturbances at a former factory site in north Dublin.

Gardai have come under attack and fires were set in the last week at the former Crown Paints factory in Coolock which has been earmarked as housing for asylum seekers.

The building is to be renovated to accommodate more than 500 International Protection Applicants.

Protests have been organised at the site by a group called “Coolock Says No”.

On Friday night, three gardai officers were injured in clashes.

On Sunday, Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald said she has pressed Taoiseach Simon Harris over engagement and dialogue around the situation.

In a post on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, Ms McDonald wrote “I have spoken to an Taoiseach @SimonHarrisTD this morning about the urgent need for engagement and dialogue with the Coolock community.

“The violence must end and those responsible held to account. Order and calm must be restored and the people must be heard.”

Earlier, Mr Harris said government can do more to engage with “legitimate’ migration concerns”.

He said he made a clear distinction between those who had legitimate concerns over increased immigration numbers, and those engaging in disorder and criminal damage at sites earmarked for asylum seeker accommodation.