LAST UPDATE | 22 Dec 2018
A GROUP OF ‘yellow vest’ protesters have demonstrated outside the headquarters of KBC bank on Sandwith Street in Dublin this afternoon.
Investigators are also probing the cause of criminal damage to two branches in the capital overnight.
The protesters gathered outside the bank shortly before 4pm, and appeared to be a breakaway group from a march that passed through Dublin city centre today.
A group called Yellow Vests Ireland had gathered at Custom House Quay in a show of solidarity with the French protest movement bearing the same name.
Gardaí attended the scene on Sandwith Street for the second time in a number of hours, following the occupation of the building earlier this afternoon, when an unrelated group called for an end to so-called “economic evictions” by the bank.
Gardaí said in a statement that they were monitoring the situation, which comes after a fire to KBC’s headquarters in Dublin city centre on Thursday night.
Criminal damage
In Swords, gardaí were called to KBC’s branch on the main street of the town following reports of a fire.
The alarm was raised just before 5.20am, and gardaí and fire service personnel attended the scene.
In a statement, gardaí said that it appears that a front window of the premises was broken and a fire was started.
There is “extensive damage” caused to the inside of the building. No one was injured.
The scene is currently preserved for technical examination, and investigations are ongoing.
In Dundrum, gardaí are also investigating an incident at KBC which took place at approximately 10pm last night.
They said damage was caused to the walls and windows smashed.
A spokesperson for KBC told TheJournal.ie: “We are aware of these incidents and we are taking additional measures to ensure the safety of our people and the Hubs that our local customers rely upon. As these incidents are the subject of a criminal investigation by An Garda Síochána we are not in a position to provide further comment at this time.”
KBC has been in the headlines throughout the week, following an eviction last weekend in Roscommon. This was followed by protests inside its Baggot Street branch during the week.
With reporting from Stephen McDermott
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