An Garda Síochána
Dail Éireann — 2023-05-25
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Fergus O'Dowd (FG), Louth

I absolutely respect the wisdom of the Garda Commissioner and the way gardaí handle protests. They are the people with the professionalism and the experience to deal with it. I am deeply concerned by the pictures I saw on television at the weekend of masked men. Appallingly, they were carrying my flag and your flag. This is unacceptable. It is reported that, allegedly, people went on a bus and counted refugees as if they were animals. This is unacceptable. The way people seeking international protection were abused physically and intimidated is not acceptable. I welcome the fact there are ongoing Garda investigations. I laud it for all of this and stand behind the force in its acts but I am not happy with the response so far. I have to say this truthfully and honestly.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2023-05-25/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:51:57+00:00
Sitting date: 2023-05-25