Two to appear in court over Dunsink protest

Two people are to appear in Dublin District Court later this morning in connection with disturbances at the contentious concrete…

Two people are to appear in Dublin District Court later this morning in connection with disturbances at the contentious concrete barricade at Dunsink Lane in south Finglas, Dublin.

The two - a man and a woman - were arrested last night during protests at the site. Two petrol bombs and numerous missiles were thrown at gardaí during the protest, according to reports.

A Garda spokesman said there were no reports of protesting this morning but officers were on standby should trouble arise.

Last evening, around 150 officers from the Garda riot squad were sent to the scene when trouble started.

READ MORE

Some 16 Garda vans rushed to the scene at around 8.30 p.m. after gangs of local youths became involved in stone throwing with a large group of Travellers at the barricade.

The officers confronted the Travellers who threw rocks and fireworks at gardaí. The gardaí stayed at the scene for around 20 minutes and then withdrew about 200 metres from the barricade, with riot gardaí blocking access to and from the scene for over an hour.

The Garda vans also came under sustained attack from local children who continued to throw rocks at them. Two units of Dublin Fire Brigade were called to the scene as a precaution; they were not needed and left after about 20 minutes. Gardaí said petrol bombs and fireworks were thrown during the riot.

All roads leading into Ratoath Road remained sealed off last night and mobile patrols by the riot squad, backed by the Garda helicopter.

Members of the Travelling community have vowed to "cause as much disruption as possible" to rush-hour traffic in Dublin this afternoon if the barrier blocking traffic to Dunsink Lane is not removed.

There are no signs of any protests so far today and traffic has not been disrupted, according to the garda press office spokesperson.