Woman arrested after public order incident at Thornton Hall

By Cillian Sherlock, PA

A woman has been arrested after a public order incident at an accommodation centre for international protection applicants.

It comes amid protests against construction activity at Thornton Hall, near Kilsallaghan in north Dublin, which is be used by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) to provide tented shelter to up to 1,000 asylum seekers.

Gardaí were present on Wednesday to assist contractors entering the site.

A woman in her 50s was arrested at the site for public order offences and will appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice Dublin on Thursday.

Local gardaí were maintaining a presence at the scene on Wednesday evening and said they were engaging with “those gathered peacefully at the location”.

A spokesman also rejected claims that gardaí were “secretly moving international protection applicants” on to the site.

“Any garda response in relation to evolving events is in keeping with a community policing model and graduated policing response taking into account relevant legislation and public safety.

“An Garda Síochána is also aware of misinformation, disinformation and fake news in relation to the current activity taking place on the site.

“While it is the responsibility of IPAS to issue specific details about IPAS centres, An Garda Síochána can confirm that it has not been involved in secretly moving international protection applicants on to this site nor are there any such applicants currently on site.”