LAST UPDATE | 22 Oct 2020

NINE PEOPLE HAVE been charged after an anti-lockdown demonstration in Dublin city centre.

Anti-lockdown demonstrators gathered on O’Connell Bridge this afternoon. 

Videos from the scene showed what appeared to be dozens of people gathered on O’Connell Street, where speeches were made about the Covid-19 restrictions.

A separate video, taken near Dublin Port, showed a crowd of over 100 people – some sitting on the ground, some standing.

A garda spokesperson said a full garda operation was in place from early afternoon as the protestors assembled at O’Connell Bridge and later moved to East Wall Road and onto Grafton Street.

“Members of the Garda Public Order Unit were deployed in ‘soft cap’ mode at the protest in support of uniform colleagues, in support of the graduated policing response.”

“Gardaí engaged with the protestors on a number of occasions using a graduated policing response during which Garda members engage, explain, encourage and, as a last resort, enforce.

“On a number of occasions, protestors were informed that they were in breach to Public Health Regulations and asked to disperse.”

At approximately 5.30pm, as the crowds began to disperse, a small group started to become involved in public disorder incidents on Grafton Street. 

Eleven people – nine men and two women – were arrested for public order offences following a number of incidents in the area.

No injuries were reported and the rest of the group dispersed from the area without serious incident. 

The 11 people arrested were detained at garda stations in Dublin.

Nine of those arrested have been charged with public order offences and released on bail to appear before the courts next month. 

Two of those arrested have been offered adult cautions.

An investigation focused on the organisers of this protest is also underway. 

“The advices of the Director of Public Prosecution will be sought in respect of any further actions to be taken,” gardaí said. 

Comments are closed as legal proceedings are ongoing. 

With reporting by Hayley Halpin