Taoiseach pressed over need for talks after Coolock disturbances

By Rebecca Black, PA

The Taoiseach has been pressed over the “urgent need” for engagement and dialogue over disturbances at a former factory site in Coolock in north Dublin.

Gardaí have come under attack and fires were set in the last week at the former Crown Paints factory in Coolock which has been earmarked as housing for asylum seekers.

The building is to be renovated to accommodate more than 500 International Protection Applicants.

Protests have been organised at the site by a group called “Coolock Says No”.

On Friday night, three gardaí officers were injured in clashes.

On Sunday, Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald said she has pressed Taoiseach Simon Harris over engagement and dialogue around the situation.

I have spoken to an Taoiseach @SimonHarrisTD this morning about the urgent need for engagement and dialogue with the Coolock community. The violence must end and those responsible held to account. Order and calm must be restored and the people must be heard.

— Mary Lou McDonald (@MaryLouMcDonald) July 21, 2024

In a post on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, Ms McDonald wrote “I have spoken to an Taoiseach @SimonHarrisTD this morning about the urgent need for engagement and dialogue with the Coolock community.

“The violence must end and those responsible held to account. Order and calm must be restored and the people must be heard.”

Ms McDonald has met residents and community groups in the area and says they've been very clear about the anger, fear and frustration that's been felt over being left in a vaccum.

She says it's right to condemn the scenes of violence from the past week - but the community needs respect and support to move forward.

Earlier, Mr Harris said government can do more to engage with “legitimate’ migration concerns”.

Mr Harris said on Sunday he had spoken with the Minister for Integration and the Minister for Justice, and been briefed by both, over the anti-immigration stand-off in Coolock.

He said he made a clear distinction between those who had legitimate concerns over increased immigration numbers, and those engaging in disorder and criminal damage at sites earmarked for asylum seeker accommodation.