A vacant Dublin property which was occupied by activists in recent weeks has been seized by masked men.
The property on North Frederick Street in Dublin city centre had been occupied by housing activists for the past three weeks.
Shortly before 7pm last night, several men in black balaclavas used a sledgehammer to enter the house and remove the group of activists from the Take Back The City group.
Eviction just there now 19.00hrs 34 Frederick street pic.twitter.com/iF51oHxdvG
— oliver moore (@oliver_moore) September 11, 2018
They were accompanied by gardai from the public order unit who arrested five people and took them to Store Street Garda Station.
There are reports that at least one person has been taken to hospital.
A group of protesters who arrived at the scene shortly after word spread were blocked from accessing the building by the masked men.
A Garda spokesman confirmed the individuals were arrested on public order offences
The order was issued on 28 August, when the High Court ordered that all persons occupying the house vacated it by 2pm the following day.
By 8pm last night, the property was boarded up.
#TakeBacktheCity
Frederick street eviction
@FineGaelDC heavy gang evict #Homeless young people from a vacant building during a #HousingCrisis caused by their #housing policy of subsidies to #landlords & excessive rents to citisens
BUILD PUBLIC HOUSING NOW pic.twitter.com/2PFtBXH1Kq— Communist Party of Ireland - Dublin (@dublincpi) September 11, 2018
Around 100 activists subsequently stood outside the building to chant in protest at the eviction, before marching down O’Connell Street towards Store Street Garda Station.
Traffic was brought to a standstill as the crowd marched through that section of the city centre, turning from O’Connell Street onto Abbey Street.
As the crowd arrived at Store Street station, activists began being released from custody.
“This is only the start, not the end” 2 now released from Store Street after being arrested during violent eviction by masked thugs at N Frederick St. #TakeBacktheCity pic.twitter.com/dOkM1qgx48
— Andrew Leavitt (@arleavitt) September 11, 2018
Two people are due in court next month while another two of those arrested received adult cautions while the fifth was released without charge.
There was a huge backlash on social media after videos emerged of the incident.
Minister @CharlieFlanagan who are these masked men being assisted by Gardai evicting protestors fell Frederick street property. I understand if High Court order breached but men arriving in an unmarked van in balaclavas who are NOT GARDAI??? This is very worrying . pic.twitter.com/olpWY5egoF
— David Hall (@davidhall75) September 11, 2018
URGENT ANTI EVICTION SUPPORTED NEEDED AT 34 NORTH FREDERICK STREET
The filth decided they'd come along and back up these balaclava wearing private security heavies
If you ever wondered whose side the state is on. Here's the answer pic.twitter.com/GTIh43JAO0— Naoise Falafel (@naoisefalafel) September 11, 2018
The thug attack on the Frederick Street occupiers is intended as a warning and threat to any other group contemplating militant action. It’s not without significance that it’s a housing issue which prompted the assault.
— eamonn mccann (@eamonderry) September 11, 2018
Horrific reposts of brutality coming through about what’s happening to activists at North Frederick street! An absolutely disgraceful display of state force! Solidarity to all down outside the occupation!
— Ronan Lowther (@RonanLowther) September 11, 2018
This is a serious own goal for the state and I hope it’s all over the papers tomorrow. It visually echoes everything from the Ra to the Regency hotel shooting, to old lithographs of bailiffs evicting people during the penal laws. Fuck landlords pic.twitter.com/Em2zslekew
— The Blindboy Podcast (@Rubberbandits) September 11, 2018
