Gardaí turn off social media comments on post following protest arrests at Dáil

Gardaí arrested more than a dozen people who took part in a protest outside Leinster House on Kildare street in Dublin on Mother's Day 

Confirming that 14 people had been detained this Monday morning, an Garda Síochána said the arrests were made "in order to maintain full public safety".

A spokesperson added: "Following Garda engagement with a number of individuals who were blocking the entrance to Dáil Éireann, Kildare Street, Gardaí gave the individuals a direction under the Public Order Act and were given a period of time to adhere to this direction."

Gardaí said 11 of those arrested received adult cautions under Section 8 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994, while another three were charged and are to be brought before the courts.

A group called Mothers against genocide gathered outside the Dáil on Sunday "to remember the 18,000 plus children who'd been brutally murdered in Gaza."

In a video post on Instagram, TD Rory Hearne commented: "This was a disgraceful disproportionate response to a peaceful protest about the impact on women and children of the genocide in Gaza. What a shameful response to a peaceful protest on Mothers day, by mothers in solidarity with Gaza."

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In the video, which can be seen below, a woman says: "We took part in a peaceful protest to remember the 18,000 plus children who'd been brutally murdered- we came today on Mother's Day to do that."

"This morning (Monday) the gardaí decided to remove pictures of the innocent children who'd been murdered in the most disrespectful manner, all we wanted to do was have a peaceful protest and hand into the government and they became heavy handed," the woman continued.

Deputy Hearne, a Socialist Democrats TD for Dublin North-West, added: "These protests are so important in displaying the strength of feeling that the people of Ireland want our government to take action, so this is really inappropriate in terms of that response."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Rory Hearne (@roryhearne01)

Because the matter is now before the courts, gardai have disabled comments on social media posts relating to the protest and subsequent arrests.