Ireland Man arrested after tents damaged and fires set at Sandwith Street protest, Dublin
Violent clashes broke out in the evening near a small encampment on Sandwith Street, Dublin 2, close to the International Protection Office, where refugees had been sleeping rough. A large group of protesters gathered near the tents, tents belonging to homeless refugees were damaged, and fires were started in a laneway, though no one was in the laneway or injured. Gardaí opened an investigation at Pearse Street Garda Station, and a man in his 30s was arrested under the Public Order Act and charged. He is due to appear before Dublin District Court later this month, the latest development in the case.
- Reported12 May
- Arrestednot reported
- Charged13 May
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Violent clashes occurred after a large group of protesters gathered near tents at a small encampment.
- Tents belonging to homeless refugees were damaged, and footage on social media showed tents being set alight.
- Fires were started in a laneway during the protest as most protesters were moved on by Gardaí.
- Where
- The incident took place at a small encampment on Sandwith Street, near the International Protection Office, in Dublin 2.
- When
- Dublin Live says the clashes happened on the evening of 11 May 2023, while other sources give Friday 12 May 2023.
- Cause
- Tensions were between anti-immigration protesters and people who came to support asylum seekers.
- Investigation
- Gardaí launched an investigation at Pearse Street Garda Station and said no formal complaints were made to officers.
- Gardaí engaged with those present, and a man in his 30s was later arrested.
- Charges
- The man was arrested under the Public Order Act and has been charged.
- In court
- The man is due to appear before Dublin District Court later this month.
- Other details
- No one was in the laneway when the fires were set and no one was injured.
- The site was one where refugees had been sleeping rough.
- Local TD Chris Andrews described the violence as completely unacceptable.
17 statements extracted from the articles
- whatViolent clashes occurred after a large group of protesters gathered near the tents. (dublinlive.ie)
- whatTents belonging to homeless refugees were damaged. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatFires were started in a laneway during the protest. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe incident happened at a small encampment on Sandwith Street, near the International Protection Office. (dublinlive.ie)
- whereThe incident took place in the Sandwith Street area of Dublin 2. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe clashes occurred the evening before the article was published on 12 May 2023. (dublinlive.ie)
- whenThe incident took place on the evening of Friday 12 May 2023. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeTensions were between anti-immigration protesters and people who came to support asylum seekers. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí launched an investigation into the violent scenes. (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationThe investigation is being carried out at Pearse Street Garda Station. (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationGardaí said no formal complaints were made to officers. (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationGardaí engaged with those present, and one man was later arrested. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeThe man was arrested under the Public Order Act. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe man has been charged to appear before Dublin District Court later this month. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe site was one where refugees had been sleeping rough. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherLocal TD Chris Andrews described the violence as completely unacceptable. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherNo one was in the laneway when the fires were set and no one was injured. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 13 May2023Sandwith Street scenes condemned as Gardai confirm arrest
Reports that one man was arrested under the Public Order Act over the Sandwith Street protest, that he has been charged to appear at Dublin District Court, and that tents and pallets were set alight. No names are given.
suspect, 30s, male - 12 May2023Gardai launch investigation after violent clash near tents of refugees in Dublin
Adds that the clashes happened on the evening before publication (11 May by the article's 'last night'), that the investigation is being carried out at Pearse Street Garda Station, that no formal complaints were made to gardaí, and that local TD Chris Andrews condemned the violence. Names no suspects. The existing record dates the incident 12 May.