Irish police say they acted in self-defense by charging shields and pepper-spraying protesters at a potential migrant camp on Thursday night, but journalists who witnessed the incident dispute this.
Protests continue at Mt Kennedy, Newtown, Co. Wicklow, where the planned migrant camp is planned. Ireland is currently experiencing very high levels of immigration and, like other European countries experiencing this phenomenon, the state is struggling to find enough space to accommodate new residents. and sometimes resort to tent cities.
These protests are currently causing clashes with police, with six people arrested overnight into Friday, but fortunately no one was injured.dublin live report “Several Garda security forces” were dispatched to the area and a fire was said to have broken out near the entrance to the disputed property.
Fatima is not a security threat here. She did not interfere with the Gardaí or prevent them from carrying out their ‘mission’. Her apparent crime was that she voiced her concerns to a man being batoned on the ground.
She clearly identifies herself as a member of the press. Garda looks straight at her… https://t.co/zGoJv8eaEN
— John McGuirk (@john_mcguirk) April 25, 2024
❌Breaking news – please share❗️
Armed riot gardaí beat up peaceful demonstrators #newtownmountkennedy
ireland has fallen #IrelandFull #IrelandBonstGirish pic.twitter.com/FzjMlP2fO1
— TheLiberal.ie (@TheLiberal_ie) April 25, 2024
The Irish Police Service (Garda) said in a statement that its officers had “come under attack” and then acted in self-defense. Video from last night’s protests showed a line of helmeted, shield-carrying police charging at demonstrators and spraying them with pepper spray.
A journalist with the independent Irish media outlet Glypto said last night that he was pepper-sprayed by advancing police. disputed the police’s explanation He said it was not clear that they were acting in self-defense, but rather that they were sent in large numbers to force their way through immigration centers while exposing local opposition. “An unarmed man was punched by members of the force as he lay defenseless on the ground,” they said, adding that a female journalist “was pepper sprayed directly in the face despite posing no threat to gardaí.” “I was killed,” he repeatedly said. , and follow its instructions. ”
The editors of Glypt magazine said in a statement: “According to the Gardaí themselves, a highly unusual number of national troops were brought in to facilitate the opening of a migrant accommodation center that was vehemently opposed by the people living in that tiny house in that previously peaceful village. ”
Priorities!Irish leader addresses nation, spends seconds condemning child stabbings, then spends minutes on protests https://t.co/nFfvhKtEQ5
— Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) November 25, 2023
As previously reported, protests have been taking place in Mount Kennedy, Newtown, Co. Wicklow, for almost six weeks over plans to establish a migrant tent settlement in the small town. Protesters claim that police recently “forced” a group of “balaclava-wearing workers” onto the site so preparations could begin to welcome the new arrivals. . Police said, “This incident developed as a result of the entry of contracted workers legally employed at the site.Additionally, a number of intruders were observed at the site and removed from the site. ” he said.
Irish outlet “The Journal” report Explaining his understanding of the site’s plans, he said:
The Department for Integration has announced that the HSE’s proposal to use vacant buildings and their grounds to house asylum seekers will come as the Government is under huge pressure to accommodate people sleeping in tents in Dublin city centre. After acceptance, the site was evaluated.
The Irish Examiner reported on April 13 that work being carried out as part of the assessment process had stalled on site. It is unclear whether there are still plans to house asylum seekers.
The Irish government on Friday condemned the “assault” by the protesters.of irish times Prime Minister Simon Harris accused those at New Town Mt Kennedy of firing an “axe” to protest, calling them “unacceptable and reprehensible”.
He said: “I understand very well how a community can have an opinion. I get that. Protests are legitimate in a democracy, I understand that, but I don’t protest with an ax to grind. What happened last night here in County Wicklow is unacceptable and will not be tolerated anywhere in this country as the laws of this country are clear and the laws of this country are enforced by the Garda Síochána. Sho.”
Ireland’s president says protests against planned migrant camps are a threat to Ireland’s democracy. Four people have been charged with breaching the peace over Thursday night’s clashes.
Irish senator says Dublin anti-riot protesters need ‘good, honest, decent beating’ https://t.co/UIrvzJWm2o
— Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) December 1, 2023
