Mary Lou McDonald tells Taoiseach ‘urgent’ intervention needed in Coolock 

It comes as a third fire broke out at a disused factory earmarked to house asylum seekers in the area last night, and three gardaí were injured in clashes on Friday night.

A Government spokesperson confirmed the two spoke by phone, following Ms McDonald’s letter to the Taoiseach on Saturday.

“They had a good constructive conversation and agree on the need for violence and attacks on the Gardai and the Coolock site to stop and for those responsible to be brought to justice,” the spokesperson said, adding that the two also discussed community engagement.

In a statement this morning, Ms McDonald said that there is a need for “dialogue” with the community in Coolock.  There have been ongoing protests against plans to accommodate up to 500 international protection applicants at the Crown Paints site.

“The violent scenes at the former Crown Paint site over recent days are totally unacceptable. The violence must end and those responsible need to be held to account. It is crucial that order is restored,” she said.

“There is an urgent need for engagement and dialogue with the community in Coolock. This is crucial in a community which has been ignored and left behind time and again. People must be heard and responded to,” the Sinn Féin leader said.

“The lack of dialogue, failure to listen, and lack of resources and services has driven anger and fear. This can be fixed and it must be addressed urgently.” 

The Government spokesperson also confirmed that Mr Harris has been briefed by both Justice Minister Helen McEntee and Integration Minister Roderic O’Gorman on the matter.

They said the Taoiseach believes there are “two distinct issues” that cannot be conflated on migration.

The scenes seen in Coolock in recent days do “not represent the community in Coolock”, the spokesperson added.

Mr Harris has said that there is a need for the Government to do more to engage with communities who have questions over public service provision amid increased levels of migration.

“I think we do need to do more as a government in terms of community engagement,” Mr Harris said.

“I’m very clearly drawing a line down the middle here because I’m not conflating the two [community engagement and those engaged in violence]. I refuse to conflate the two, I find that a despicable concept.

“I do think when it comes to community engagement now I’m very eager to support Minister [Roderic] O’Gorman in providing more resourcing, that we could have more people working on the issue of community engagement.

“We have to recognise here that the overwhelming majority of people in this country are decent. The overwhelming majority of people in this country understand the benefits of migration.” 

Over the last week there have been four separate fires at the Crown Paints site in Coolock, where there has been ongoing unrest over plans to accommodate up to 500 international protection applicants.

Footage circulating on social media on Sunday shows widespread damage to parts of the interiors of the Crown Paints building, including a burned out entrance and multiple shattered windows.