Gardai deny 'secretly moving' international protection applicants into Thornton Hall site

Gardai have moved to deny false claims that it has been involved in an operation to secretly move international protection applicants onto the Thornton Hall site in north Dublin.

In a statement, issued this Wednesday night, a spokesperson confirmed that members of the force were deployed to assist the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) and contractors to enter the site "for the purposes of lawful employment" earlier in the day.

Local Gardaí continue to maintain a presence and continue to engage with those gathered peacefully at the location, and are facilitating access to and from the site.

The statement adds that An Garda Síochána is "aware of misinformation, disinformation and fake news" in relation to the current activity taking place on the Thornton Hall site which has been earmarked to accommodate more than 400  asylum seekers by the end of November. 

"While it is the responsibility of IPAS to issue specific details about IPAS centres, An Garda Síochána can confirm that it has not been involved in secretly moving international protection applicants onto this site nor are there any such applicants currently on site," said a spokesperson.

A woman who was arrested close to Thornton Hall has since been charged with public order offences. She is due to appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice Dublin on Thursday.

"Local gardaí continue to maintain a presence and continue to engage with those gathered peacefully at the location, and are facilitating access to and from the site. Any garda response in relation to evolving events is in keeping with a community policing model and graduated policing response taking into account relevant legislation and public safety," said a spokesperson.