Former senior Garda calls on Drew Harris to resign over Coolock riots
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris recently conceded that the force got its tactics wrong when riots erupted at a controversial anti-immigrant protest in Coolock
by Michael O'Toole · Irish MirrorA former senior garda and policing expert has called on Commissioner Drew Harris to quit – over his handling of the Coolock anti-immigration riots.
“Consider the honourable course of action,” retired Detective Chief Superintendent John O’Brien told Mr Harris – days after the Commissioner admitted the force got its tactics wrong during the riot at the former Crown Paints site on July 15 .
Mr Harris said on Friday it was a mistake for the specially-trained Public Order Unit to be stood down at 7am on the day – hours after workers had entered the site following weeks of protest by campaigners opposed to plans for hundreds of asylum seekers and refugees to be housed there. The unit had been present when workers took control of the site and dismantled a protest camp at the entrance – but was stood down when all was quiet.
READ MORE: Garda Commissioner Drew Harris admits force 'got it wrong' during Coolock riot
But that serious trouble began to flare at the site hours later and it was not until 1pm that the unit, with special protective gear, was back on the streets. Up until then frontline gardaí were left to deal with the mobs themselves – and were massively outnumbered.
Garda bosses defended the decision initially – but on Friday Mr Harris held his hands up.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony for 108 new officers at the force college in Templemore, the Commissioner said: “The public order unit was on duty but was stood down at 7am. In hindsight that was not the right decision. We have accepted that.”
But now, former Detective Chief Superintendent O’Brien – who is regarded as an expert on policing and once led the Garda VIP protection unit – has called on Mr Harris to go. And, writing on social media, Mr O’Brien said the Commissioner’s comments on Friday shed no light on what the force’s contingency planning was for Coolock on that day.
And he said: “Vile language, Criminal Behaviour, and Intimidation were witnessed on a grand scale, with unfortunate young uniform Gardaí facing abuse due to the withdrawal of the Public Order Unit for 6 hours. This situation was well flagged and you should not have been taken by surprise. The lack of equipment and support placed them in an impossible position.”
And he had this direct message to Mr Harris, whose tenure as Commissioner comes to an end next summer: “It is imperative for you to reflect on the situation and consider the honourable course of action.
“Every member of the public I spoke to were scathing in their comments.”
Mr O’Brien, who also served in the Coolock district earlier in his career, called for a public inquiry into the riot – over which 34 people have been arrested, with 26 of them charged.
Mr O’Brien said: “As one who served in that District I can confirm that we never conceded the ground to mobs. Of course there are legitimate concerns but these must be aired within the Rule of Law.
“A full public inquiry is merited in the circumstances perhaps the Dáil Justice Committee will intervene but don't hold your breath.”
We contacted the Garda Press Office for comment. A spokesman later said it did not comment on third party comments and said that the Commissioner would not be quitting.
And he added: "Under the Garda Commissioners direction, to date in 2024 An Garda Síochána has
· deployed increased strength incapacitant spray to every member of An Garda Síochána
· deployed larger volume canisters of increased strength incapacitant spray for use by Public Order Units
· Deployed round shields for use by Public Order Units
· Increased number of Public Order trained personnel
· Purchased additional Public Order Equipment for trained personnel
· Financed and delivered new Public Order Response Vans
· Implemented a Proof Of Concept for Body Worn Cameras in 5 Garda stations with over 600 Garda members using BWCs operationally.
· trialing new caps for wear by operational members subject to agreement with An Garda Síochána Uniform committee on which all representative bodies are represented
· progressed a business case for the purchase of 2 water cannon for An Garda Síochán
"An Garda Síochána Public Order Incident Command Policy was activated in response to the Public Order Incident in Coolock on the 15th July 2024."
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