Gardaí to investigate if Black Lives Matter demonstration in Dublin breached Covid-19 regulations

The demonstration, in solidarity with the US’s Black Lives Matter movement, took place on Monday in Dublin city centre

Gardaí have said they will be investigating any potential breaches of Covid-19 regulations that took place during Monday’s anti-racism protest in Dublin city centre.

Thousands of people worldwide took to the streets this week to voice their anger at the death of a black man, George Floyd, who died after being pinned down by Minneapolis police officers in the US last week.

Here in Dublin, thousands protested in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement in the US. Protesters marched from O’Connell Street to the US Embassy in Ballsbridge, chanting: “Black lives matter” and “No justice, no peace.”

In a statement released yesterday, Gardaí said that organisers of the protest had tried to enforce social distancing guidelines, but these were not adhered to. The Gardaí added that the organisers of the event engaged proactively with law enforcement throughout the protest, and informed them that the size of the event had ‘substantially’ exceeded expectations.

The statement read: “An Garda Síochána is investigating this matter and the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions will be sought in respect of any further actions to be taken.”