Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has announced that the Gardaí have received footage from RTÉ’s Investigates programme related to the riots in Coolock two months ago. The footage is now under review by the investigation team, which aims to determine whether it contains additional evidence against individuals already identified or new suspects involved in serious offences, including assault and criminal damage.
During a meeting with the Policing Authority, Commissioner Harris reiterated that the decision to stand down the public order unit prior to the riots was a significant error. He admitted that he did not defend this decision at a previous gathering, emphasizing the need for accountability in law enforcement.
In a statement, RTÉ confirmed that it had provided An Garda Síochána with footage recorded inside the former Crown Paint factory as part of its recent documentary, following the receipt of a court order. The documentary highlighted the use of disinformation to incite violence and raised concerns about the state’s challenges in managing out-of-control protests. It also touched on issues of freedom of speech and the intimidation faced by immigrants, journalists, and the Gardaí themselves.
Commissioner Harris further revealed that he has authorized the procurement of two new water cannon vehicles, each capable of holding 5,200 liters of water, to better manage public disturbances. This year, there have been 862 protests, marking a 56% increase from the 553 protests recorded during the same period last year, with most of the protests occurring in Dublin and the Eastern and Southern regions.
The Assistant Commissioner in charge of Dublin highlighted that an RTÉ producer was denied entry to a meeting between the Gardaí and a contractor just a month prior to the Coolock riots. Angela Willis explained that the contractor had informed the Gardaí five days in advance about plans to commence work at the Coolock site on July 15, despite concerns about inadequate resources for policing the incident. Compounding the issue, there were competing policing demands that weekend, including events at Croke Park and 3Arena.
A report on public order policing, which has yet to be published by the Minister for Justice, pointed out insufficient central governance regarding public order incidents and a lack of clear leadership within the Gardaí on such matters. Assistant Commissioner Paula Hillman assured that coordination remains with the Steering Group, which includes representatives from various operational and support departments.
Looking ahead, Commissioner Harris stated that command structures have been enhanced to effectively handle future public order incidents. Chief Superintendent Majella Armstrong added that efforts are being made to rebuild relationships in Coolock, emphasizing the importance of visibility and ongoing community engagement as the Gardaí work closely with local groups to restore public confidence.