UNJUSTIFIED & UNACCEPTABLE VIOLENCE BY THE GARDA

IRISH ANTI WAR MOVEMENT (IAWM) PRESS RELEASE, 06 October 2025

The IAWM today condemned the violent behaviour of the Garda against peaceful pro-Palestine protesters last Saturday.

The peaceful protesters were on their way to protest at Dublin Port. They were stopped by a line of Guards from the public order unit well back from the port.

Video footage of the incident shows that the guards violently pushed the protesters before attacking them with pepper spray and truncheons and then beating many of them. In one case a protester who was running away was chased by a guard wielding a truncheon, brutally dragged to the ground and severely beaten. Many protesters were suffering afterwards from the effects of the pepper spray.

This behaviour by the so-called guardians of the peace is unjustifiable and unacceptable. The protesters were within their rights – peacefully protesting the Irish Government’s complicity in Israel’s genocide of Palestinians.

The Irish Government continues to trade with Israel – to the tune of €3.26 billion in 2024 – even though the Taoiseach and Government Ministers have belatedly, openly acknowledged that Israeli is committing the crime of genocide. This includes the sale of Irish beef, thus implicating the Irish people in feeding a genocide.

This violent actions by the Guards against peaceful protesters is in stark contrast to the lack of action against the Irish government’s complicity in genocide.

An IAWM spokesperson said:

“This violence by the Garda was outrageous and uncalled-for. We call for the immediate release of the arrested peaceful protesters and for all charges to be dropped, for a full investigation of the Garda violence, and for the Government to finally sanction the genocidal state of Israel including immediately passing the Occupied Territories Bill in full, ceasing all trade with Israel and stopping the use of Shannon Airport by the US Military.”

ENDS

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