Organised crime link to anti-migrant protests – Harris

• Published date: 26 May 2023
• Publication title: Irish Times (Dublin, Ireland)

Crime and Security Correspondent

Organised criminals, along with far-right figures, are playing a role in recent antiimmigrant protests, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has said.

Mr Harris made the remarks in response to sustained questioning from the Policing Authority on the Garda's policing of anti-immigrant demonstrations around the country in recent weeks.

He defended the Garda's actions, and denied members were taking a "softly, softly" approach to demonstrators who have blocked roads or carried out criminal damage.

He said people committing offences may not be arrested immediately, depending on the circumstances on the ground, but that did not mean there would not be a subsequent investigation.

Mr Harris said the far right was involved in creating tensions and spreading misinformation in some areas, but that organised crime also played a part.

"Organised crime groups engage in conspiracy around preventing people to move into areas as well," he told Policing Authority member Paul Mageean.

He said this was because criminals did not want the added Garda presence which would accompany asylum seeker accommodation.

Known criminals have been involved in multiple recent protests, although their exact motives were unclear, sources told The Irish Times.

One Dublin garda said some figures involved in organised crime have participated in intimidation of asylum seekers to curry favour in their local community.

Gardaí pointed to an attack on a premises used for asylum seekers in Finglas last August as an incident with involvement from organised crime.

More recently a number of individuals involved in criminal gangs are believed to have taken part in violence targeting asylum seekers in the city centre.

Regarding the far right, Mr Harris told the Policing Authority yesterday that they were "numerically not...