“The idea that this violence was unforeseeable is frankly nonsense,” McDonald said, before also stating her lack of confidence in Justice Minister Helen McEntee.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has said she has “no confidence” in both Garda Commissioner Drew Harris and Justice Minister Helen McEntee following last night’s riots in Dublin.
In the aftermath of the knife attack outside the Gaelscoil Coláiste Mhuire in Parnell Square East yesterday that left three children injured – of which a five-year-old girl remains in critical condition – riots broke out in Dublin city centre.
In the ensuing chaos, three buses, three Garda patrol cars and one Luas tram were set alight, while 13 properties were attacked and substantially damaged.
A comparison between last night during the height of the riot (7.45pm) & the aftermath this morning (8am) – from the same vantage points
Dublin City Council workers, @DubFireBrigade, Luas engineers & the Gardai worked tirelessly overnight & this morning to clean up. #dublinriots pic.twitter.com/qn5nGJjYbM
— JOE.ie (@JOEdotie) November 24, 2023
Speaking about the riots on Friday afternoon, McDonald said after the school attack “It was obvious to most that the atmosphere in the city centre was deteriorating very quickly.”
She added: “As the situation escalated and public safety became a clear issue, we needed a common sense response that ensured that public order and safety were maintained but that is not what we got.
The scenes on O’Connell St this morning at 8am. Dublin City Council & local businesses work tirelessly to clean up after the mayhem that unfolded in Ireland’s most historic street.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said that the rioters in Dublin brought “shame on Ireland” #dublinriots pic.twitter.com/yYE1WBju8P
— JOE.ie (@JOEdotie) November 24, 2023
“The cold truth and the reality that we must confront today is that the Gardaí lost control of the centre of our capital city. A mob was allowed to shut down the centre of the city. Public transport locked down. People stranded in the city.
“Members of the public, families and workers terrified in what was a threatening and volatile atmosphere. This was an unacceptable, unprecedented collapse in policing.”
The people of Dublin have the right to be safe on their streets, in their homes and communities.
The Gardaí have my full support but given the catastrophic operational failures last night, I have no confidence in the Justice Minister, or the Garda Commissioner. @maryloumcdonald pic.twitter.com/lVeHrPgW4E
— Sinn Féin (@sinnfeinireland) November 24, 2023
Dublin riots: Mary Lou McDonald says she’s ‘no confidence’ in Garda Commissioner
The Sinn Féin leader also dismissed the idea that the violence was unforeseeable as “frankly nonsense.”
“These hate-filled mobs have threatened and brought violence to our streets before. What happened last night shouldn’t have happened and – let me be very clear – it can never happen again,” McDonald stated.
“The people of Dublin need to know that those in charge of Government and the head of Garda Síochána are capable of ensuring that this never happens again.
“I’ve spoken to Justice Minister Helen McEntee and to Garda Commissioner Drew Harris about the unacceptable failure to keep people safe last night.
“However, we all know the problem didn’t start last night… Sinn Féin has been highlighting the crisis in policing in Dublin city for a long time because we simply don’t have enough Gardaí.
“I do not say the following lightly but it must be said: I have no confidence in how Dublin is being policed.
“The Gardaí have my full and unequivocal support but given the catastrophic operational failures last night, I have no confidence in the Justice Minister and no confidence in the Garda Commissioner.”
A comparison between last night during the height of the riot (7.45pm) & the aftermath this morning (8am) – from the same vantage points
Dublin City Council workers, @DubFireBrigade, Luas engineers & the Gardai worked tirelessly overnight & this morning to clean up. #dublinriots pic.twitter.com/qn5nGJjYbM
— JOE.ie (@JOEdotie) November 24, 2023
Also during her media briefing, McDonald said her thoughts are with the three children and their carer – who was also seriously injured – that were victims of the knife attack.
“We pray and hope that they make a full recovery,” she said, before commending the courageous members of the public who intervened to help stop the attack, stating: “Their bravery represents the true spirit of Dublin.”
Main image via Sasko Lazarov and Sam Boal/Rolling News
Read more:
- Dublin riots: 34 arrested, several shops and vehicles destroyed and one Garda seriously injured
- Leo Varadkar condemns ‘hate-filled criminals’ after Dublin riots
- Kearney was everything good about Dublin, on a night of national embarrassment
- Bus and Luas set on fire amid unrest in Dublin city centre
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