Six people have been arrested after gardaí “came under attack” by a group of protesters at a site earmarked to accommodate international protection applicants in Newtownmountkennedy, Co Wicklow, on Thursday.
Video footage posted on social media showed a large Garda presence and a number of protesters grappling with members of the force. Other protesters chanted “shame on you” towards gardaí.
The footage further showed wood and other materials being burned at the entrance to the site, which is known as Trudder House or River Lodge.
Gardaí said the incident developed when workers, contracted to carry out lawful employment on the site, were prevented from entering.
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A number of trespassers were also identified on the site and were removed. The arrested people were detained for alleged offences under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994 and are currently being held at Garda stations in Wicklow.
A spokesman for the Garda said uniformed officers were subjected to verbal and physical abuse throughout the day, which escalated into rocks and other missiles being thrown. Fires were lit and an axe was recovered by gardaí during the incident.
“As the situation has intensified, members of An Garda Síochána used force to defend themselves as part of an escalated response to the situation,” said the Garda spokesman.
Assistance was provided by members of the Garda Public Order Unit and about 50 gardaí remain at the scene.
The use of Garda force included the use of pepper spray and the deployment of helmets and shields. The Garda spokesman said the force was “not aware at this time” of anybody having been injured during the clashes.
Three Garda patrol cars were damaged, including broken windows and slashed tyres.
People gathered at the entrance of the site have been moved away from the entrance but remain gathered in the area.
“An Garda Síochána respects the right for citizens to exercise their constitutional rights,” said the spokesman.
“This right does not extend to breaches of criminal law, the interference with the rights of other citizens to carry out their daily activities, or to attack members of An Garda Síochána.
“Any Garda activity in relation to evolving events involves a graduated policing response taking into account relevant legislation and public safety, with enforcement as a last resort.”
The spokesman added the force was also aware of misinformation and disinformation being spread in relation to this ongoing incident.
The incident at the property at the edge of Newtownmountkennedy is the latest in a series of fires at locations earmarked for housing refugees.
Gardaí are already investigating a case of suspected arson at the same location in recent weeks.
The previous fire at Trudder House occurred in the early hours of April 14th when fire services attended the scene and extinguished the blaze.
The Department of Integration has been considering locating 20 eight-person tents at the former HSE facility to house people seeking to live here under the international protection process. There had been local protests against the proposal for the facility.
