Over ten arrested after Gaza protesters block gates to Leinster House
The arrested individuals are currently detained at Garda stations in Dublin.
Eleven people have been arrested following a protest outside Leinster House on Monday.
Protesters from the group Mothers Against Genocide held a vigil and organised a sleep-out on Kildare Street on Sunday night in protest against the ongoing violence in Gaza.
The group Mothers Against Genocide held a vigil and organised a sleep-out on Kildare Street on Sunday night in protest against the ongoing violence in Gaza
The vigil began at 7pm on Sunday, to coincide with Mother's Day, in remembrance of children and mothers killed in Gaza.
The group had also planned to deliver a letter to Government ministers later on Monday, demanding further action on the war in Gaza, including the immediate enacting of the Occupied Territories Bill.
On Monday, a number of people were arrested as some protesters blocked the gates to Leinster House.
According to a Garda spokesperson, the protesters did not comply with "the direction" given to them, leading to the arrests of 11 people.
"As is the case with all evolving events that require a Garda presence in order to maintain full public safety, An Garda Síochána adopts a response based on the community policing model, all relevant legislation and human rights.
"Following Garda engagement with a number of individuals who were blocking the entrance to Dáil Éireann, Kildare Street this morning, Gardaí gave the individuals a direction under the Public Order Act and were given a period of time to adhere to this direction," said a Garda spokesperson.
10 women, aged in their 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s, and one man, aged in his 20s, were arrested under Section 8 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994.
All of them have received adult cautions.
An additional three men, aged in their 20s and 30s, were also arrested for alleged offences under sections, 6, 9 and 19 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order Act) 1994.
The three individuals have been charged and are now before the courts.
Videos on social media showed several people sitting on the ground in front of the gates to Leinster House, amid a significant Garda presence in the area.
A Garda spokesperson earlier told the the force was made aware of "a public gathering on Kildare Street" which commenced last night, adding any Garda response in relation to evolving events "is in keeping with a community policing model and graduated policing response taking into account relevant legislation and public safety".
People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy described the arrests as "outrageous" and has called on the Justice Minister to make a statement on the matter.
Mr Murphy said: “These were peaceful protestors demanding that the Government enact the Occupied Territories Bill, as was promised during the election, and making a stand against Israel’s genocide in Gaza”.
He added: “It is outrageous that gardaí used force against mothers protesting against genocide. Multiple women have been arrested and are being held in Garda stations around the city centre. They must be released immediately without charge”.
Mr Murphy said justice minister Jim O'Callaghan must make a statement on the matter to "clarify what he knew of the Garda action and if there is a new policy of repression of Palestinian solidarity protestors”.
