Ukrainian Refugee Crisis

Far right has been successful in cultivating fears over refugee housing - Garda commissioner

Gardaí will not ‘fall into the trap’ of over-responding to far right threat, Drew Harris says

  • May 22, 2023
Drew Harris, the Garda Commissioner, dismissed a characterisation of An Garda Síochána’s approach to migrant protests as “softly, softly”. Picture: Fergal Phillips

Drew Harris, the Garda Commissioner, has said the far right has been successful in utilising local fears over migrant accommodation.

His comments follow the lifting of a blockade in front of a hotel housing asylum seekers in Inch, Co Clare, yesterday, and a tense week in politics over refugee accommodation.

The commissioner said Gardaí have a multi-tiered response to far-right protesters, including the investigation of certain individuals.

Speaking today, Harris said: “We are very mindful ...