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File photo (not of protest) Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews.ie

Review of Jobstown protest finds gardaí should have anticipated 'serious outburst of public disorder'

The review pointed out that there was a considerable number of public order incidents in the area in the run up to the 2014 protest.

AN INTERNAL REVIEW of the policing operation around the Jobstown protest in 2014 has found garda intelligence should have anticipated an outburst of public disorder at that time.

During the incident, anti-water protesters, including Solidarity TD Paul Murphy, prevented a car transporting then Tánaiste Joan Burton and her adviser Karen O’Connell from leaving the area for several hours as gardaí attempted to move them through the crowd.

A number of people were arrested and charged in connection with the protest, but in June last year six people including Murphy were found not guilty of false imprisonment.

There were criticisms of the way in which gardaí on the ground handled the protest and an internal review was launched in July last year.

Published this afternoon, a summary of the review said it found there was little or no evidence to suggest there was any strategic assessment of the extent of public disquiet in the area or the potential impact of this on public order and protection.

From the benefit of hindsight, it is clear that the risk of a serious outburst of public disorder was likely to occur around this time as demonstrated by the considerable number of public order incidents surrounding the installation of water meters in October and November 2014, coupled with the two specific incidents in the days immediately preceding this visit of the Tánaiste to Jobstown. These events should have increased the level of risk and been picked up by Garda Intelligence.

‘Tactical options

The internal report found that from the perspective of a basic policing operation, the response was a “qualified success”.

“This is borne out by the fact that the then Tánaiste and her assistant were extricated from the protest without physical injury,” it said.

“Furthermore, when this event concluded no protester reported any physical injuries or lodged any complaint in respect of the conduct of members of An Garda Síochana who participated in the policing of this event.”

However it said the event lacked strategic direction and “various tactical options do not appear to have been explored”. An examination of communications gave “little indication of any strategic control or direction into how this event was managed”.

The review found that, “from an objective perspective” this investigation was brought to a successful conclusion, with a significant number of files submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions “in an efficient and expeditious manner”.

It acknowledged that “not all of the existing policies and procedures were followed to the letter”, but found there was “more than sufficient compliance” and in cases where non-compliance was encountered, this did not affect the overall outcome of the investigation.

However, the review noted that, when set against the benchmark of court outcomes, “it is questionable as to how successful this investigation actually was”.

The review has made a number of recommendations, including ensuring robust structures are in place to monitor levels of public disorder and training in strategic command.

An Garda Síochána said there is a further addendum to the report and following ongoing discussions with the DPP an update will be issued.

Read: ‘How in God’s name could that be called a comprehensive analysis?’: Garda homicide figures probed>

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    Mute Madra
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    Dec 26th 2021, 8:40 AM

    This is awful.

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    Mute limerick birder
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    Dec 26th 2021, 10:40 AM

    Surprise surprise, another one of our bird species is on its way out. Our in government green party say they pride themselves on being all about our planet and its biodiversity, yet it sits on its hands as badly need funding is needed for several projects to save endangered species. The Hen Harrier, Corncrake and Curlew will all go the way of the Corn Bunting. Its sad to think that these birds will disappear from the summer chorus in Ireland due to ignorance.

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    Mute Johannes Baader
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    Dec 26th 2021, 10:25 AM

    So forestry is driving up the numbers of predators….. It is definitely also driving up the numbers of wild deer across the country to insane levels. It also pollutes our rivers and lakes….. why is Coillte still operating this way? MONEY

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    Mute ChronicAnxiety
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    Dec 26th 2021, 9:54 AM

    Presumably the predators associated with the coniferous plantations are pine martins?

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    Mute Tom Molloy
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    Dec 26th 2021, 11:09 AM

    @ChronicAnxiety: Foxes and crows also.

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    Mute Ian Hester
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    Dec 26th 2021, 10:45 AM

    The the cost of building roads for access and removal of harvested stock exceeds any profiteering, so Coillte are just another quango… The construction of roads also fragment the habitat….. Official Ireland is a joke

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    Mute Tom Molloy
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    Dec 26th 2021, 1:40 PM

    @Ian Hester: Those roads are also essential fire breaks that often save habitat from destruction.

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    Mute Colin Keogh
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    Dec 26th 2021, 11:00 AM

    They are ground nesting so rats can be a big problem disturbing nests and eating eggs

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    Mute Shane Nolan
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    Dec 27th 2021, 4:56 PM

    Not surprised, never any urgency to protect our wildlife, generally very poor attuide to our environment and wildlife here. Barely any left at this rate in general. Hope these birds do get support to help maintain population

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    Mute Roy Ferguson
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    Dec 26th 2021, 10:00 AM

    I was thinking the same about the pine martins but aren’t their numbers also very low. Seems like one big mess

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