Sunday 1 November 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 21765Public order offence · Co. Westmeath · 24 Mar 2023

Man arrested for public order offence at Mullingar protest

A man in his 20s was arrested for public order offences shortly after midnight on 24 March 2023 during a protest outside Columb Barracks in Mullingar, Co Westmeath. The protest was over a bus carrying asylum seekers being prevented from entering the former army barracks, which is being used to accommodate 120 asylum seekers. A male garda was assaulted during the protest but did not require medical treatment. The arrested man was released and a file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrested25 Mar
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • A man in his 20s was arrested for public order offences during a protest outside Columb Barracks in Mullingar.
  • A bus carrying asylum seekers was prevented from gaining entry to the barracks.
  • A male garda was assaulted during the protest but did not require medical treatment.
Where
The protest took place outside Columb Barracks, a former army barracks in Mullingar, Co Westmeath.
When
  • The bus arrived at the barracks at around 1pm on 24 March 2023, and the arrest was made shortly after midnight.
  • Gardaí requested the crowd to disperse at around 9pm, and the crowd dispersed from the area after 1.30am.
Investigation
The arrested man was released and a file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Other details
  • The Department of Integration confirmed in February 2023 that 120 asylum seekers were to be accommodated in 15 tents at the barracks.
  • The former army barracks closed in 2012 and the 25-acre site is used by up to 30 community groups.
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA man in his 20s was arrested for public order offences (rte.ie)
  • whatA bus carrying asylum seekers was prevented from gaining entry to the barracks (rte.ie)
  • whatA male garda was assaulted during the protest but did not require medical treatment (rte.ie)
  • whereThe protest was outside Columb Barracks, a former army barracks in Mullingar, Co Westmeath (rte.ie)
  • whenThe arrest was made shortly after midnight (rte.ie)
  • whenThe bus arrived at the barracks at around 1pm on 24 March 2023 (rte.ie)
  • whenGardaí requested the crowd to disperse at around 9pm (rte.ie)
  • whenThe crowd dispersed from the area after 1.30am (rte.ie)
  • investigationThe arrested man was released and a file will be prepared for the DPP (rte.ie)
  • otherThe Department of Integration confirmed in February that 120 asylum seekers were to be accommodated in 15 tents at the barracks (rte.ie)
  • otherThe army barracks closed in Mullingar in 2012 (rte.ie)
  • otherThe 25-acre site is in the centre of the town and is used by up to 30 community groups (rte.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 25 Mar2023
    Arrestedrte.ie, first report
    Man arrested during Mullingar asylum seeker protest

    Details the protest context: a bus carrying asylum seekers was prevented from entering Columb Barracks, a male garda was assaulted during the protest, and the Department of Integration issued a statement condemning attempts to promote division.

    suspect, 20s, malevictim, male