Independent TD for Tipperary, Mattie McGrath has criticised the actions of An Garda Síochána (AGS) riot squad after chaotic scenes unfolded between members of the force and protestors in Newtownmountkennedy last week.
Speaking in Leinster House, McGrath said that while he was a lifelong supporter of An Garda Síochána, some of the actions taken by them last week were reminiscent of the “B-specials” in Northern Ireland to which Taoiseach Simon Harris replied, “Shame on you”.
The first charge of the riot squad on protestors in Newtownmountkennedy last week. Not my footage, happy to credit owner if DM sent. pic.twitter.com/BwBl4gJgpW
— Fatima Gunning (@fatima_gunning) April 30, 2024
McGrath commenced his remarks by saying that the government’s migration policy is “causing huge division” and what happened in Newtownmountkennedy “is causing huge questioning” about the actions of Gardaí.
Gardaí advance on and pepper spray protesters opposing an IPAS centre in Newtownmountkennedy in clashes last night. Gript captured front line images. pic.twitter.com/8dN3tu2jUu
— gript (@griptmedia) April 26, 2024
McGrath said that AGS “needs the support of the people” and that effective policing was impossible without this support.
“The heavy actions up there were reminiscent of Northern Ireland with the RUC and B-specials”, he said, adding that it was “shocking”.
“We need to have a serious evaluation of how we’re dealing with this,” he said, criticising the government’s decision to place “migrants in tents” in a “wet field with no environmental evaluation or any evaluation”.
He begged the Taoiseach to “evaluate” the “division” he said is being caused between the Irish people and “An Garda Síochána who have protected us for decades and want to keep protecting us.”
He criticised the “heavy handed tactics” from Drew Harris saying “it’s just a shocking situation.”
Chaotic scenes at Newtownmountkennedy tonight as a local protest opposed to immigration centre clashed with gardaí who deploy riot shields and pepper spray pic.twitter.com/S0B8LfFQK7
— gript (@griptmedia) April 25, 2024
Harris replied, “I don’t think in this house we should refer to members of An Garda Síochána as a gang.”
Gript Media reporter @fatima_gunning was pepper-sprayed this evening by a member of An Garda Siochána in Newtown Mount Kennedy, despite having repeatedly and audibly identified herself as a working journalist. pic.twitter.com/Dk8YR6DlKO
— gript (@griptmedia) April 25, 2024
“These are sworn members of An Garda Síochána,” he said, adding “Shame on you” and demanding that McGrath “condemn the attacks on the guardí that happened in my constituency in my community this week.”
“Nobody, nobody in this country has a right to attack a man or woman of An Garda Síochána and you should condemn it outright” he said adding, “but of course you won’t”
Local Cllr. John Snell has asked Harris to visit the people of Newtownmountkennedy amid ongoing concerns about the housing of 160 male international protection applicants in the small Wicklow village.
"Ignore the people at your peril": Cllr John Snell has criticised the 'heavy handed' actions of the Garda riot squad in Newtownmountkennedy and said "decent people" were left with injuries. A large crowd marched from the town to the proposed IPAS centre today. pic.twitter.com/mY3nx92cXt
— gript (@griptmedia) April 27, 2024