Taoiseach party leader Simon Harris and Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald spoke on Sunday morning about the ongoing protests in Dublin’s Coolock area against plans to house up to 500 people seeking international protection in the area, The Journal reports.
The Department of Integration had previously confirmed that the old Crown Paints factory in Coolock would be used to house the people. However, protests broke out on Monday, accompanied by scenes of violence, when a government-hired service provider attempted to start work at the site.
Some members of the community said they had not been properly engaged with over the plans, as McDonald confirmed in a statement today after meeting with the Taoiseach. Others, however, are opposed to housing people seeking international protection in the building. Some of them are holding signs reading “Kick everyone out” and have painted barricades outside the building reading “Kick out the odour bags.” During the first incident on Monday, The Journal witnessed numerous incidents of disruption, racism and clashes between protesters and police officers.
In her statement, McDonald said:
“I spoke with An Taoiseach this morning about the urgent need for engagement and dialogue with the community in Coolock.”
She called for an end to the violence scenes and for those responsible to be held to account. McDonald also condemned the scenes as “totally unacceptable” and said it was crucial that order be restored. She also added:
“There is an urgent need for engagement and dialogue with the community in Coolock. This is crucial in a community which has been ignored and left behind time and again. People must be heard and responded to.”
McDonald said she believes the “lack of dialogue and failure to listen” to the community has driven anger and fear.
Authorities condemn violence at protests
Taoiseach Simon Harris and justice minister Helen McEntee have this weekend both condemned the events which have taken place in Coolock over this week.
Speaking in Donegal on Friday, Harris said:
“In relation to protest, anybody in Ireland is legitimately entitled to protest, it is a key tenet of our democracy and it is something I would always support the right that people have to protest. But I have to say what we have seen in recent days has not been that. What we have seen in recent days has been an attempt by a relatively small number of people to engage in lawlessness, to engage in thuggery and to engage in criminal activity.”
McEntee said:
“Sadly, a small minority of individuals are inciting violence and fear in an attempt to divide our communities.”
Crown Paints factory on fire
Meanwhile, Dublin Fire Brigade responded to another fire at the Crown Paints factory last night. This is the third night in a row that firefighters have worked in the area. The fire was extinguished after two units arrived on the scene along with the Community Policing Unit.
More than 20 people have been charged and another arrested in connection with behaviour at numerous demonstrations in Coolock this week.
