LAST UPDATE | 28 Nov 2023

A MAN HAS been arrested after protesters surrounded Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald’s car in East Wall last night. 

McDonald was at East Wall’s Sean O’Casey Community Centre yesterday evening. 

Upon leaving the community centre, McDonald was accosted by demonstrators who shouted at her and surrounded her car.

Footage on social media shows demonstrators crowding McDonald’s car, many of them shouting at her about immigration while filming with their phones.

A significant number of gardaí were present and called for the crowd to back away. McDonald’s car was able to leave shortly afterwards.

One man was arrested at the scene. 

In a statement to The Journal, the Garda press office confirmed: “Gardaí have arrested one man for public order offences in East Wall, Dublin 3 this evening, Monday 27th November 2023.”

The Journal has contacted Sinn Féin for comment.

Earlier, a vigil was held in East Wall which organisers said was in relation to last week’s stabbing incident on Parnell Square.

This afternoon, a Sinn Féin spokesperson said: “Mary Lou McDonald attended a community meeting in the Séan O’Casey Community Centre yesterday evening.

“This included helping local people who were making preparations for the lighting ceremony of the community Christmas tree this weekend.

“As she was leaving the community centre, a small, aggressive group was outside. East Wall is a great community and this group in no way represents the people of this area.”