Garda bosses want officers to be more aggressive policing the far right

Garda bosses want officers to be more aggressive policing the far right and have told them: “We’ve got your back.”

Sources have told The Sunday Mirror that senior officers believe it is now time to come down harder on right wing activists – including those targeting immigrant accommodation sites and politicians’ homes.

It’s understood senior managers believe gardaí on the ground are sometimes reluctant to take on protesters in case they are subject to harassment, threats and complaints.

But we have learned that Garda bosses – including Commissioner Drew Harris – now believe it is time to take on the thugs.

“The mood music has changed,” one source said last night. The management view is that there has to be a tougher line.”

And sources have revealed that gardaí across the country have been told that bosses will fully support their troops on the ground.

“If gardaí are doing their job properly, they will be supported by management,” one senior source said last night.

The source said gardaí have legal powers to tackle protesters – such as those who targeted the home of Taoiseach Simon Harris in Co Wicklow earlier this week.

But they admitted that there was sometimes a reluctance within the force to be seen to be acting firmly against crowds of protesters – and that has to change.

Taoiseach Simon Harris and Justice Minister Helen McEntee.

“Gardai do have powers and they should not be afraid to use them,” a source said. “The Garda way is to engage and try to talk with protesters, and that is a good thing.

“But we also have these powers (to take on law breakers) and there is nothing wrong with being robust. Unfortunately, it does appear that some members on the ground are worried about complaints or being suspended.

“It seems there is a bit of a rumour mill that gardai would left without the support of management and would be suspended if any sort of complaint is made.

“But that is absolutely not true. Management will support the troops on the ground.”

And they pointed out that the two armed support unit gardaí who were involved in the incident in which George Nkencho was shot dead outside his home in Blanchardstown, west Dublin in December 2020 were never suspended – despite there being an investigation by policing watchdog GSOC into his death.

“Those two gardaí were never suspended, not even for a single day,” a source said.

Just last month, it emerged that the Director of Public Prosecutions had examined a file on his death sent to it by GSOC – and had ruled that no Garda should be prosecuted over it.

Trouble breaking out at protest in Newtownmountkennedy

Sources say Garda bosses are now reminding front line gardaí that they can be robust protesters who break the law.

It comes as sources say the government is becoming increasingly concerned about the activities of anti-immigration protesters across the country.

In the last month, protesters targeted the homes in west Dublin of integration minister Roderic O’Gorman, as well as that of Taoiseach Simon Harris in Wicklow.

But sources said on each occasion, the protesters left when gardaí arrived on the scene.

“In the case of Minister O’Gorman, the gardaí on scene ordered the protesters to leave the area – and they did. That shows members can take these people on.”

Meanwhile, sources have said gardai are asking for preparations for a major anti-immigrant protest planned for Dublin tomorrow. Gardaí have no idea how many people will attend what is being billed as the national protest – and suspect it could be thousands.

“We just don’t know,” a source said. “It could be 200, or it could be 10,000. But we have to prepare for it being major. We are working on having adequate resources to police it.”

Join the Irish Mirror’s breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive breaking news and the latest headlines direct to your phone. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.