11 people arrested as ‘opposing’ protests take place in Dublin city centre

Gardaí have described the environment in the city centre this afternoon as "challenging".

An Garda Síochána have said 11 people were arrested in Dublin city centre this afternoon (Monday, 5 February) as two separate protests took place. RTÉ News reports that an anti-immigration protest began at around 2pm at the Garden of Remembrance, before travelling down O'Connell Street towards the Customs House. This was as a separate United Against Racism counter-protest took place at the Spire on O'Connell Street. In a statement on Monday evening, Gardaí said:

"An Garda Síochána today implemented a proportionate operation to police a number of public gatherings which took place in Dublin City Centre. "Two separate public gatherings took place, one which assembled on O'Connell Street and one which assembled on Parnell Square and marched to the Custom House Quay. "Over 300 members of An Garda Síochána were on duty in Dublin City Centre. "Following the events on Custom House Quay a small group attempted to cause further traffic disruption in Dublin City Centre."

Members of the Gardai in Dublin city centre today amid protests

An Garda Síochána say they "proactively engaged with and disrupted this group's activity". "Eleven (11) arrests were made over the course of the policing operation this afternoon, primarily for summary offences under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994," they added. Speaking about today’s Garda operation, Strategic Commander Chief Superintendent McMenamin explained:

"Today a significant policing operation was deployed in Dublin City Centre. Gardaí had to police a challenging environment with a number of public gatherings organised and attended by persons with divergent and opposing views whilst also managing the rights of citizens to enjoy the amenity that is Dublin City Centre. "Despite the challenging environment and the intensity of opposing interactions, particularly on O’Connell street, the events passed off primarily peacefully."

Main image via Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews.ie

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