Dublin migrant protests: GB News reporter attacked by police during chaotic demonstrations - ‘Never EVER seen this’

"We have been attacked by police themselves," speaking to fellow GB News star Patrick Christys. "We did what we usually do.

"We get between the lines and then we let the police go past the lines."

"But the Gardai thought it'd be better to pepper-spray us and then actually smash into the camerawoman and then smash into the camera, knocking us to the ground."

"In all my time as a reporter, doing this in Northern Ireland, I have never ever seen this police attack the media. They have done that this evening, as well as another photographer."

Dougie recounted how the constable looked at him and made a "conscious" decision to attack.

"It has really kicked off in Dublin tonight," Dougie told Patrick.

"There's about 2,000 people here. There's a police vehicle that has been burned, a water cannon is out, and the TSG themselves are having a hard time putting it down."

Discussing the raging protests going on in the city, he continued: "The people of Ireland at this stage have said: 'No more, we want rid of the immigrants that are here.'

"On Friday, people of Ireland go to the polls to choose a new President. This is not a good look for them at this moment in time.

"Definitely not a good look if the police service of the Republic of Ireland decide to openly attack the media."

When Patrick pressed him further for details of the encounter with the police officer, who had been bearing a riot shield at the time of the alleged attack, Dougie said: "He pushed the camera clean into my face.

"That was only after his colleague managed to push the person who was using the camera in the first place into a metal fence."

Dougie added: "They identified us as the media and they continued to go on ahead. They pepper-sprayed us, and then attacked us, openly assaulted us in the street as we were trying to report on what was going on."

On the second night of protests in the city, a large crowd gathered in the Dublin area with members of the Garda’s public order unit deployed.

A police van has also been set alight and bottles have been thrown at journalists as protesters gathered outside a hotel used to house asylum seekers in Dublin.

Footage shows several of the protesters displaying Irish flags.

Ireland’s Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan said there is “no excuse” for violent scenes in Dublin.

He said: "Unfortunately, the weaponising of a crime by people who wish to sow dissent in our society is not unexpected. The gardai are prepared for this, but attacking gardai and property is not an answer, and won’t help to make anyone feel safe.

"It is clear to me from talking to colleagues during the day and this evening that this violence does not reflect the people of Saggart. They are not the people participating in this criminality, but rather the people sitting at home in fear of it.

"Attacks on Gardai will not be tolerated. Peaceful protest is a cornerstone of our democracy. Violence is not. There is no excuse for the scenes we have witnessed tonight."

A statement from An Garda Siochana said: "This evening, members of An Garda Síochána on duty at a public gathering at Citywest were subjected to sustained levels of violence.

"This was not peaceful protest. The violence exhibited was thuggery and an attempt to intimidate and injure.

"During the evening there were sustained attacks on Garda Cordons, including physical violence, bricks thrown and fireworks discharged at Garda members and the arson of a Garda van.

"Bins with hundreds of used glass bottles in the area were emptied and contents used as missiles.

"Attempts to breach the Garda cordon were also made by charging the line with horse drawn sulkies.

"Individuals were observed carrying implements such as garden forks and tools and damaging walls in the locality to obtain missiles.

"The Garda helicopter was targeted with lasers.

"One member of An Garda Síochána has received medical attention for a foot injury. 6 persons have been arrested, primarily for Public Order Offences.

"An Garda Síochána had a policing operation in place for this public gathering organised by disparate groups on social media, who stir up hatred and violence and encourage and entice others to get involved.

"Over the course of the evening, nearly 300 members of An Garda Síochána were on duty, including over 125 uniform members, 150 Public Order members, Water Cannon, Mounted Unit and Dog Unit supported by members in Air Support Unit and Regional Control rooms.

"Units across the Dublin Region were supported by colleagues from the Garda Eastern Region.

"An Garda Síochána Public Order Incident Command policy was implemented.

"Garda Public Order Units were deployed in full protective equipment and utilised Incapacitant spray to repel sustained physical attacks on Garda Lines.

"An investigation has been commenced and a Senior Investigating Officer has been appointed."

Speaking about tonight’s violent disorder Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said: "An Garda Siochana facilitate peaceful protest on daily basis. This was obviously not a peaceful protest. The actions this evening can only be described as thuggery. This was a mob intent on violence against Gardaí.

"I utterly condemn the attacks on Gardaí who did their jobs professionally and with great courage to keep people safe. Public order units, dog unit, mounted unit, air support and the water cannon were deployed along with front-line colleagues, which brought the situation to a conclusion.

"We will now begin the process of identifying those who committed crimes and we will bring those involved in this violence to justice."

In response to the "attack" on the GB News reporter, An Garda Siochana statement said: "An Garda Síochána does not comment on operational matters.

"Any person who believes Gardaí have used excessive force in carrying out their duties can make a complaint to An Garda Síochána or to Fiosrú, the Office of the Police Ombudsman. If a complaint has been made to Fiosrú, then An Garda Síochána is not in a position to comment as it is now a matter for Fiosrú.

"In general, An Garda Síochána fully respects the rights and importance of journalists to report on matters in the public interest.

"An Garda Síochána has previously provided media with training courses in relation to safety at public order incidents.

"An Garda Síochána notes that reporters, crew and their editors have a responsibility to ensure their own safety while reporting from dynamic and evolving public order incidents, especially when in close proximity to the front line at such scenes of violence being perpetrated against members of An Garda Síochána."

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