Six arrested as gardaí came under attack after fires lit at site slated to house asylum seekers in Wicklow

Gardaí came under attack from rocks and missiles, while an axe was also recovered at the scene. Three garda cars were damaged, including several broken windows and tyres being slashed, during the incident.

Gardaí also “used force to defend themselves as part of an escalated response,” a spokesperson said.

The garda public order unit has been deployed and videos from the scene showed people attempting to breach the grounds, which have been sealed off, as a large fire burned at the entrance of the property. It is not clear if any damage has been caused to the property.

“Gardaí on duty outside a premises in Newtownmountkennedy came under attack by persons gathered at the location,” a garda spokesperson said.

“This incident has developed as a result of workers, contracted to carry out lawful employment on the site, entering the site. A number of trespassers were also identified on and removed from the site last night.

“Uniform Gardaí have been subject of both verbal and physical abuse throughout the day, which escalated into rocks and other missiles being thrown this evening. Fires have been lit and an axe has been recovered by Gardaí during this evening’s incident,” the spokesperson said.

Six people were arrested for alleged offences under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994 and are currently detained at Garda stations in Wicklow.

“An Garda Síochána is not aware, at this time, of any persons injured during this incident,” the spokesperson said.

“As the situation has intensified, members of An Garda Síochána used force to defend themselves as part of an escalated response to the situation. Assistance was provided by members of An Garda Síochána Public Order Unit and approximately 50 members of An Garda Síochána remain at the scene this evening. The use of force included the use of Incapacitant spray and deployment of Public Order Gardaí in Public Order helmets and shields.

"Persons gathered at the entrance of the site have been moved away from the entrance but remain gathered in the area.

“An Garda Síochána respects the right for citizens to exercise their constitutional rights; this right does not extend to breaches of Criminal Law, the interference with the rights of other citizens to carry out their daily activities, or to attack members of An Garda Síochána.

“Any Garda activity in relation to evolving events involves a graduated policing response taking into account relevant legislation and public safety, with enforcement as a last resort. An Garda Síochána is also aware of misinformation and disinformation being spread in relation to this ongoing incident,” the spokesperson said.

Round the clock protests have been staged outside the River Lodge site in recent weeks since news broke locally that it may be used to house asylum seekers. A small-scale fire also broke out at the site last week.

Videos taken at the scene today, and widely shared online, showed a large garda presence and people clashing with officers sporadically.

Masked men could be seen attempting to tear down fencing at the property as gardaí were positioned inside.

A fire was also lit at the entrance to the property and flames could be seen burning close to a structure on the property.