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COVID-19 protests in the Republic of Ireland

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COVID-19 anti-lockdown protests
in the Republic of Ireland
Part of protests over responses to the COVID-19 pandemic
Protest against COVID-19 vaccines in Dublin, November 2021
Date22 August 2020 — 28 February 2022
Location
Ireland, particularly Dublin
Caused by
Goals
  • Ending COVID-19 restrictions in the Republic of Ireland
Methods
StatusEnd of protest;
  • Most of the COVID-19 measures lifted on 28 February 2022

During the COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland, numerous protests took place over the government's response.

Anti-lockdown protests took place in opposition to restrictions, starting in March 2020 against the first national lockdown, and continuing during subsequent lockdowns and other regional restriction systems. These overlapped with anti-vaccination protests, which continued after the start of the Ireland's vaccination programme in December 2020.

2020

On 22 August 2020, four men were arrested after around 500 people attended an anti-lockdown rally organised by the Yellow Vests Ireland group at Custom House Quay in Dublin.[1]

On 12 September, around 3,000 attended two anti-mask protests organised by the Yellow Vests Ireland group at Custom House Quay in Dublin.[2] The next day on 13 September, gardaí began an investigation of an assault of an activist following clashes between an anti-mask group and a counter-protest outside Leinster House.[3]

On 10 October, two men were arrested after a total of 250 demonstrators attended an anti-lockdown protest organised by the National Party outside Leinster House in Dublin.[4]

2021

On 27 February 2021, 23 people were arrested and 3 Gardaí were injured (including one hospitalised), as around 500 protesters took part in an anti-lockdown protest in Dublin city centre, with fireworks being fired at Gardaí, while St Stephen's Green and the Iveagh Gardens closed in advance of the protest. The protest was widely condemned by the gardaí and politicians.[5][6][7] Taoiseach Micheál Martin stated that he "utterly condemned" the protest, which "posed an unacceptable risk to both the public and Gardaí" and also praised the Gardaí who moved quickly to make arrests and restore order.[8] Tánaiste Leo Varadkar stated that he was horrified and that there was no excuse for violence to Gardaí or anyone,[citation needed] while Minister for Justice Helen McEntee stated that the situation was "completely unacceptable and was an insult to so many who had worked so hard in the fight against COVID-19 and to those who had died".[citation needed] The violent protest resulted in 13 people, including 12 men and 1 woman, charged and remanded in custody for public order offences, while Tánaiste Leo Varadkar stated that the violence on the streets of Dublin was "not a protest and was a riot".[9][10] On 2 March, a man in his 30s was arrested in connection with the firework attack on Gardaí at the violent anti-lockdown protest on 27 February.[11] The next day on 3 March, Jake Merriman, a 30-year-old man, appeared in court charged in connection with the firework attack on Gardaí.[12][13] Seven months later on 28 October, Merriman was further charged with endangerment of life by launching a firework at Gardaí.[14] He was accused of possessing glass bottles capable of causing serious injury, violent disorder, and endangering life by propelling a lighted firework causing a substantial risk of death or serious harm.[15]

On 6 March, Gardaí arrested 6 people (5 men and 1 woman) as around 450 people attended an anti-lockdown protest in Cork city centre that ended without incident.[16][17]

On St Patrick's Day 2021, Gardaí arrested 21 people after around 700 protestors took part in a number of anti-lockdown protests in Dublin city centre, Herbert Park and at the RTÉ campus in Donnybrook.[18][19][20] One day later on 18 March, it was confirmed that 7 Gardaí were injured (including five hospitalised) after being kicked, punched and spat at during the separate violent anti-lockdown protests that took place on St Patrick's Day.[21][22]

On 20 March, Gardaí arrested 11 people and issued a number of fines after around 200 protestors took part in an anti-lockdown protest in the Phoenix Park in Dublin city centre.[23][24]

On 3 April, around 300 protestors took part in an anti-lockdown protest at the National Monument on the Grand Parade in Cork city centre.[25] One day later on 4 April (Easter Sunday), Gardaí arrested 8 people as part of a policing plan around an anti-lockdown protest planned in Dublin city centre.[26][27]


A series of riots began in Dublin, Ireland on the night of 4 June 2021 over the June bank holiday weekend, in which glass bottles and other objects were thrown at members of the Garda Síochána.[28] A number of public order incidents began when Gardaí attempted to disperse large organised groups congregating at a number of locations including South William Street, St Stephen's Green and Temple Bar Square.[29]

On the night of 14 July, hundreds of people gathered outside the Convention Centre in Dublin to protest against the Government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic after the Dáil passed legislation to allow for the reopening of indoor dining.[30]

A protest against COVID-19 vaccines in Dublin

On 24 July, around 1,500 protestors gathered in Dublin city centre to protest against vaccines, new legislation allowing for the reopening of indoor dining and the EU Digital COVID Certificate.[31]

On 27 November, thousands of people attended a protest against COVID-19 restrictions and vaccine passports at the GPO on Dublin's O'Connell Street.[32]

2022

On 22 January 2022, despite the easing of almost all COVID-19 restrictions, around 1,000 people gathered at the Garden of Remembrance in Dublin city centre calling for the end of all restrictions and the end of face masks for children in schools.[33][34]

See also

References

  1. ^ O'Sullivan, Colman (22 August 2020). "Hundreds attending anti-lockdown protest in Dublin". RTÉ News and Current Affairs. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  2. ^ Heaney, Steven; McGlynn, Michelle (12 September 2020). "Thousands attend anti-mask protest in Dublin; HSE dismiss doctor's 'Covid-19 not as harmful as flu' claim". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  3. ^ "Woman assaulted during Covid protest in Dublin". RTÉ News and Current Affairs. 13 September 2020. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  4. ^ Kilraine, John (10 October 2020). "Two arrests after protesters clash outside the Dáil". RTÉ News and Current Affairs. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  5. ^ McGreevy, Ronan (27 February 2021). "Three gardaí injured and 23 people arrested after clashes at Dublin anti-lockdown protest". The Irish Times. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
  6. ^ Kelly Palenque, Brendan; McCurry, Cate; Schiller, Robin; Farrell, Rachel; Fetherstonhaugh, Neil (27 February 2021). "'There can be no justification for the violence that unfolded' – Taoiseach condemns anti-lockdown march in Dublin". Irish Independent, Press Association. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
  7. ^ Casey, Jess (27 February 2021). "'An insult to so many': Taoiseach condemns anti-lockdown protest after clashes in Dublin". Irish Examiner, Press Association. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
  8. ^ McCurry, Cate (27 February 2021). "Micheal Martin slams 'thuggish behaviour' of anti-lockdown protesters". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
  9. ^ Horgan-Jones, Jack; Pope, Conor (28 February 2021). "More people who took part in Dublin 'riot' will face legal sanctions, says McEntee". The Irish Times. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  10. ^ McConnell, Daniel (28 February 2021). "Violent scenes were a riot, not a protest says Leo Varadkar". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  11. ^ Lally, Conor; Gallagher, Conor (2 March 2021). "Gardaí arrest man suspected of launching fireworks at officers". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  12. ^ Tuite, Tom (3 March 2021). "Man appears in court charged over firework incident at anti-lockdown protest". The Irish Times. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  13. ^ Reynolds, Paul (3 March 2021). "Man charged over firework attack at Dublin protest". RTÉ News and Current Affairs. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  14. ^ Tuite, Tom (28 October 2021). "Man who threw firework at gardaí during Covid protest charged with endangerment of life". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  15. ^ "Protester further charged after Dublin firework attack". RTÉ News and Current Affairs. 28 October 2021. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  16. ^ Roche, Barry (6 March 2021). "Cork anti-lockdown protest, attended by hundreds, passes peacefully". The Irish Times. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
  17. ^ Riegel, Ralph (6 March 2021). "Cork anti-lockdown demonstration staged without serious incident as Gardaí mount major security operation". Irish Independent. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
  18. ^ Lally, Conor; McGreevy, Ronan; Pope, Conor (17 March 2021). "More than a dozen arrested at anti-lockdown protests in Dublin". The Irish Times. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  19. ^ Feehan, Conor (17 March 2021). "21 arrests during mostly peaceful anti-lockdown protests". Irish Independent. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  20. ^ Reynolds, Paul; Kilraine, John (17 March 2021). "21 arrested over breaches of public health regulations". RTÉ News and Current Affairs. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  21. ^ Lally, Conor (18 March 2021). "Seven gardaí hospitalised after violent St Patrick's Day attacks". The Irish Times. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  22. ^ Foy, Ken (18 March 2021). "Five gardaí hospitalised after being kicked, punched and spat at in separate St Patrick's Day incidents". Irish Independent. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  23. ^ O'Brien, Tim (20 March 2021). "Eleven arrested for Covid breaches after protest march in Dublin". The Irish Times. Retrieved 20 March 2021.
  24. ^ Calnan, Denise; Fetherston, Neil (20 March 2021). "Gardaí investigating after 11 arrested at anti-lockdown protest in Dublin". Irish Independent. Retrieved 20 March 2021.
  25. ^ O'Sullivan, Jennie (3 April 2021). "Second anti-lockdown protest held in Cork city". RTÉ News and Current Affairs. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  26. ^ O'Sullivan, Colman (4 April 2021). "Eight arrested as protest planned for Dublin". RTÉ News and Current Affairs. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
  27. ^ Griffin, Caitlín (4 April 2021). "Eight arrested as gardaí continue to police planned protest". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
  28. ^ McCurry, Cate (5 June 2021). "14 arrested after crowds gather in Dublin city centre". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  29. ^ Dunne, Alex (5 June 2021). "South William Street night of chaos as 14 people arrested and officer rushed to hospital after clashes across city centre". Dublin Live. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  30. ^ Cunningham, Paul (15 July 2021). "Dáil passes legislation on reopening indoor hospitality". RTÉ News and Current Affairs. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
  31. ^ Daly, Adam (24 July 2021). "Anti-vaccine protests take place in Dublin and Belfast". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  32. ^ O'Sullivan, Colman (27 November 2021). "Thousands attend Dublin protest over Covid measures". RTÉ News and Current Affairs. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  33. ^ O'Sullivan, Colman (22 January 2022). "Anti-restrictions protest held in Dublin city centre". RTÉ News and Current Affairs. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  34. ^ "Drop in hospital and ICU numbers as restrictions eased". RTÉ News and Current Affairs. 22 January 2022. Retrieved 23 January 2022.

Bibliography

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