Garda have ‘back up presence’ at protest

GARDAI had a “back up presence” at a recent protest outside the entrance to Citywest Hotel.

Demonstrations were held following a disturbance at the hotel and convention centre, which left three people needing medical treatment.

Two different groups gathered on January 18 outside Citywest Hotel – one side protesting mass immigration, and the other side, featuring TD Paul Murphy (PBP), protesting in favour of refugees.

Gardai had a significant presence at the scene, but also had a back up presence in the vicinity.

A transit hub at the hotel, is an International Protection Centre, housing 870 refugees from Africa, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East.

At the JPC Policing Meeting this week, Deputy Murphy said he believes there is a “very real danger that there is going to be a physical attack on the asylum centre” at Citywest.

“The other day a far right activist was able to get into the centre and walk inside and produce a video. There was a crowd of maybe 110/120 people outside on Wednesday night,” said Deputy Murphy.

“I felt, based on the numbers there, if they wanted to get into the centre, they could have got into the centre. And if you look at what is happening in Finglas for example, a lot of the same people are involved and things are very dangerous.”

Superintendent Anthony Twomey, Clondalkin Garda station, said they had a visible presence on the roadway and there was a “back up” presence “in the event something more sinister happened”.

Noting the site itself is quite difficult to police, Supt Twomey’s assessment of the protest was that those in attendance were content to hold it on the road, to garner public attention “but that’s not to say that will remain”.

Local residents have expressed concerns about the centre since it’s use as a transit hub.

Cllr Carly Bailey (SocDems) asked gardai about an alleged incident at a local school.

Supt Twomey said gardai were “not aware of any sexual incidents”.

Deputy Murphy said prior to the protest at Citywest, there was very little notice on social media, and that they are being organised “underground” on sites like Telegram.

At the meeting, he asked senior gardai if there is a “constant presence that can be quickly backed up in case a large crowd appears with the intention of getting into the centre and doing physical harm to some of the people inside.”

Supt Twomey said they have put in additional patrols in the vicinity of the centre, and are monitoring social media for potential “flash protests”.

Supt Twomey confirmed that 20 UN workers were due to commence work at Citywest Hotel on Monday, to liase with the people in there.

“Where you have got 700 people of different nationalities, there will be tension at times, and their job is to monitor that and liase with these people, and work towards reducing tensions within the convention centre,” said the Supt.

“We would hope that will reduce incidents like that which happened on Monday night.”

Citywest transit hub currently has 871 international protection applicants (IPAs), according to the Department of Children.

The Dept of Children told The Echo they are not in a position to comment on the nationalities of International Protection Applicants (IPA’s).

“The Minister and his Department officials are legally obliged, under Section 26 of the International Protection Act 2015, to ensure that the identity of any person who applies for international protection is kept confidential,” said a spokesperson.