Six arrested as garda cars damaged and fires lit outside site earmarked for refugees in Wicklow

Six people have been arrested as three garda cars were damaged amid a public order incident in Wicklow on Thursday evening that saw fires lit as officers used force to defend themselves.

The incident unfolded throughout Thursday as gardaí on duty outside a premises in Newtownmountkennedy reportedly set to house refugees came under attack by persons gathered at the location.

Uniform gardaí were subject to both verbal and physical abuse throughout the day, as workers, contracted to carry out lawful employment on the site, entered River Lodge, which escalated into rocks and other missiles being thrown on Thursday evening.

READ MORE: Gardai respond to public order incident at site reportedly set to house refugees in Wicklow

It follows a number of trespassers were also identified on and removed from the site last night.

As the situation intensified, members of An Garda Síochána used force to defend themselves as part of an escalated response to the situation while fires were lit outside the site. An axe was also recovered by gardaí during the incident.

Assistance was provided by members of An Garda Síochána Public Order Unit and approximately 50 members of An Garda Síochána remained at the scene on Thursday evening.

The use of force included the use of Incapacitant spray and deployment of Public Order Gardaí in Public Order helmets and shields.

Three Garda Patrol cars have been damaged during tonight’s incident, including broken windows and slashed tyres.

Persons gathered at the entrance of the site have been moved away from the entrance but remain gathered in the area.

Gardai rushed to the scene of a disturbance outside a site set to host refugees

Six persons have been arrested, at this time, for alleged offences under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994 and are currently detained at Garda stations in Wicklow.

A spokesperson for An Garda Síochána told the Irish Mirror they are not aware, at this time, of any persons injured during this incident.

The spokesperson said gardaí respect the right of citizens to exercise their constitutional rights; this right does not extend to breaches of Criminal Law, interference with the rights of other citizens to carry out their daily activities, or attack members of An Garda Síochána.

They added any Garda activity in relation to evolving events involves a graduated policing response taking into account relevant legislation and public safety, with enforcement as a last resort.

The spokesperson also said authorities are aware of misinformation and disinformation being spread in relation to this ongoing incident adding that no further information tonight on this ongoing situation.

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