Dublin lockdown protest may return on March 17
THE group behind the weekend’s violent anti-lockdown protests in the Republic are planning another event on St Patrick’s Day.
A senior source said gardai are concerned Saturday’s event, protesting against Covid-19 prevention measures, was just the first, ahead of a March 17 protest and another planned for March 20.
There were ugly scenes from the Dublin gathering, with video footage showing a man shooting fireworks at the gardai.
Officers were forced to break up the crowd and there were 23 arrests.
It has emerged that gardai have identified the man who they suspect shot a firework at officers during the riots.
The 30-year-old man, from Dún Laoghaire, is known to gardai and has previously appeared in court in connection with a drugs search.
Officers were searching for him last night with the intention of bringing him into custody.
“Gardai have been monitoring the activities of all the groups involved in organising this protest and will continue to monitor their activities,” a senior source said.
“Gardai were ready for this on Saturday when a special policing plan was put in place and will be ready for future protests.”
It is understood that there are concerns among gardai about a protest organised for this Saturday in Cork.
TD Neale Richmond said the authorities need to act immediately to ensure there is no repeat of the scenes in Dublin city centre.
“Already we can see online that another dangerous group has planned a protest for Cork next week. Quite simply this protest must be stopped and the organisers held to account for such reckless measures,” he said. The events are being advertised on social media, including on Facebook.
Yesterday Tánaiste Leo Varadkar described conspiracy theories spread by some anti-lockdown protesters as “bonkers”.
“I am a strong believer in free speech, and that includes tolerance for and protection of people saying things you do not agree with. However, this is a national and global health emergency. What we saw on the streets of Dublin this week cannot happen again,” he said.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin called the attacks “thuggish” and said those who gathered for the protest showed a “complete lack of respect to the people who have made huge sacrifices during this pandemic”.