Two arrested as gardai use pepper spray at Dublin Port protest

Two people were arrested for public order offences as gardai used incapacitant during a pro-Palestinian protest at Dublin Port.

Gardai said they had monitored several gatherings across the city on Saturday.

A subsection of protesters who had participated in a larger protest-Palestinian rally in the city centre moved towards Dublin Port.

Traffic at the port had been blocked by a similar protest for several hours on Thursday, causing significant disruption across the capital.

On Sunday, gardai moved the group behind a cordon in an effort to prevent further disruption to traffic flows.

In a statement, gardai said they attempted to get the protesters to disperse voluntarily but claimed “ there was a co-ordinated and concerted effort to physically breach” the cordon.

“In accordance with procedures An Garda Siochana deployed an escalation of response.

“Members of the Garda National Public Order Unit, dressed in ‘soft cap’ uniform, supported by frontline uniformed Gardai, intervened to prevent a breach of the Garda cordon which included the use of incapacitant spray on protesters.

“Two individuals have been arrested for public order offences and have been brought to Garda Stations in the Dublin region.”

Gardai said the protest was broken up following further engagement and traffic flow returned to normal.

A spokesperson said no injuries were reported.

Gardai said they would continue investigating into the protest.

An Garda Siochana said it respects the rights of citizens to exercise their constitutional right to assemble peaceably, subject to statutory provisions.