A senior Garda in Tipperary has paid tribute to the way locals in Dundrum have maintained a peaceful protest in recent months.
It follows the arrival yesterday of a number of International Protection Applicants to Dundrum House Hotel despite the concerns expressed by the community.
Superintendent Eddie Golden said it was a difficult day for local people and Gardaí alike.
“I know how dignified they’ve been in the majority of cases there.
“My main concern yesterday was that nobody would be hurt. Our objective was to move these people (International Protection Applicants) into the premises.
“A lot of people were very emotive yesterday and said a lot of things which would normally not be said to members of An Garda Siochana and others. So taking that aside – that’s part of our daily duty – can I just acknowledge the efforts that they’ve made to keep an element out of there which could have created a different environment yesterday.”
