Top cop steps back from ‘left’ violence claims

STREET FIGHT Dublin city centre on Saturday

GARDA Commissioner Drew Harris has backtracked on comments claiming “extreme left” groups were involved in Saturday’s violent antilockdown protests.

Clashes between protesters and gardai in Dublin city centre resulted in three officers being injured, including one taken to hospital.

Around 23 people were arrested in disturbances which saw fireworks shot in the direction of gardai, while public transport was halted and St Stephen’s Green closed.

Commissioner Harris told a press conference Saturday evening a number of groups including elements of the far-left and far-right had been involved.

In a statement yesterday, he added: “I wish to clarify my remarks of Saturday evening in respect of the violent protest that took place on Saturday afternoon.

“The vast majority of those who took part belong to a number of factions including antivaccine, anti-mask and anti-lockdown protestors, far right groups and those intent on trouble and disorder.

“Despite initial indications, following further investigation, there is no corroborated evidence of extreme left factions being involved. “I also want to thank the public for the many messages of goodwill expressed towards members of An Garda Siochana who policed the protest and, in particular, towards those members who were injured.”

Of those arrested, 12 men and one woman have appeared before the

Criminal Court of Justice and have been remanded in custody to appear before Cloverhill District Court at a later date.

Seven were charged and released on station bail and three children have been released for “consideration of inclusion in the Juvenile Diversion Programme.”

Speaking on Newstalk Radio, Justice Minister Helen Mcentee said the Garda Commissioner had clarified far left groups at the protests were “violent republican groups”.

She added some of those in attendance “were there with intent on causing harm”.

Tanaiste Leo Varadkar said Saturday’s gathering was not a protest but a “riot.”

He told Newstalk: “There’s no excuse for using that kind of violence to advance a political cause, no matter what that cause is.

“I think we’re just lucky that somebody didn’t get seriously injured or killed.

“I think the gardai did an amazing job, they took control of the situation really quickly and got control of the situation very quickly thereafter.

“The fact we saw people brought to court that very night was a really good example of very swift and very effective policing.

“In a pandemic really there shouldn’t be any protests. I’m a great believer in free speech and nobody ever wants to ban protests, but gatherings of this nature are not allowed in Level 5 lockdown.

“While social distance protests are possible this certainly wasn’t that.”

Vast majority of those who took part were antilockdown protestors DREW HARRIS, ABOVE, YESTERDAY