Garda hit at anti-refugee protest rally

AN investigation is under way after a garda was assaulted at an anti-refugee protest.

Video footage of the incident on Thursday night depicted a plainclothes garda being accosted by an aggrieved demonstrator with a camera in Fermoy, Co. Cork.

The cameraman proceeds to follow the officer while expressing his views on asylum seekers.

He was heard saying: ‘Do you realise that there is going to come a day when these people are going to be getting your jobs?

‘Some of these illegal immigrants are going to be armed and standing over you and your children… Are you happy enough with that?’ .

The man continued his anti-immigration rant as the garda attempted to walk away.

Another person with his face covered is then seen approaching the guard while holding a camera phone to his face. Moments later, a woman wearing a white coat and woollen hat runs up to the officer and strikes him once in the face.

The person filming the incident then shouts: ‘Don’t do that… We don’t want any violence.’

Before the recording ends, the perpetrator is heard justifying her actions.

A Garda spokesperson said: ‘Gardaí in Fermoy are investigating an assault on a member of An Garda Síochána that occurred on Oliver Plunket Hill, Fermoy, at approximately 6pm.

‘Medical treatment was not required by the garda. No arrests have been made, investigations are ongoing.’

The incident occurred following a protest against 63 International Protection applicants, including 24 children, being housed in Fermoy.

A number of similar demonstrations have taken place in recent weeks, which have also been met with counter-protests from locals welcoming the refugees to the area.

Kate O’Connell of Fermoy and Mallow Against Racism estimates that about 40 people travelled from outside Fermoy for the demonstration.

‘We know what the town stands for’

‘For us on the ground in Fermoy we have a good sense of where the town is, and what the town stands for,’ Ms O’Connell said.

The Department of Integration said it strongly condemned ‘any attempt to promote division and hostility towards those who come here seeking safety’.

‘[The Department] deplores these protests which are intimidating vulnerable International Protection applicants, many of whom are children who have fled war and persecution and are causing fear and distress for centre staff and management,’ a spokesman said.