No intelligence system would have predicted the scale of serious rioting in the heart of Dublin last month, according to the Garda Commissioner. The State witnessed its worst rioting in over a decade on November 23rd, with gardaí being attacked, a Luas tram, a bus, and Garda cars set on fire, and some shops looted. The incident, which occurred just hours after a knife attack on young children in the area, shocked the nation and led to calls for the resignation of the Garda Commissioner and Minister for Justice.
Speaking before the Policing Authority, the Garda Commissioner acknowledged that the riot was eventually quelled in an hour and a half once the necessary resources were deployed. However, he emphasized the need for a comprehensive examination of what happened, with a particular focus on communication, training, and equipment. Thirteen gardaí were injured during the riot, including one who suffered a severed toe.
The lack of pre-warning and the rapid spread of disinformation were identified as significant challenges faced by the Garda during the unrest. The Commissioner stressed that the organization is committed to learning from the experience and reviewing its tactics and equipment to be better prepared for any similar incidents in the future. He also highlighted the effective response of the shield lines in dealing with the disorder and making arrests.
Assistant Commissioner Paul Cleary conducted an operational debrief into the events, and a report is expected to be provided this week. Initial feedback from the debrief revealed issues regarding equipment, training gaps, and communications. To address these concerns, recommendations have been made for the installation of earpieces in garda helmets and the provision of loudhailers for improved communication with members of the Public Order Unit responding to disturbances and looting.
The Garda Commissioner and Minister for Justice were urged not to overlook the young children and their teacher who were victims of the earlier knife attack when addressing the riot. Bob Collins, the chair of the Policing Authority, emphasized the importance of ensuring the community impact of both incidents is addressed.
In conclusion, the Dublin riot caught the Garda by surprise, with no intelligence system alerting them to the scale of the violence. The incident has prompted a comprehensive review of tactics, equipment, and training, with a focus on enhancing communication and preparedness for future disturbances. The response from Assistant Commissioner Paul Cleary’s operational debrief will shed further light on the challenges faced and inform the necessary reforms.
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