Conchúir Ó Rádaigh, one of the two students arrested at the eviction of a property at North Frederick St, has been released from Store Street Garda Station. Six people were arrested at the site by gardaí wearing face masks.
The occupation of the premises had continued following a High Court injunction two weeks ago which directed them to vacate the property. Organised by Take Back The City - Dublin, activists were urged online to "Please get down to Store Street Garda Station for rally in solidarity with three arrested activists".
Men in balaclavas, who arrived in an white van without registration plates, removed activists from the property. The masked men were then filmed securing the entrance to the property. They were not wearing any clothing which could have identified them as members of an garda síochána.
Arrests were made during demonstrations outside the property.
Never underestimate the extent to which the state will exercise it's power to defend the rights of private property over the social rights of it's citizens. This was the response to housing activists who occupied an empty building #HousingCrisis pic.twitter.com/tBR5ZpHdLH
— Aidan Regan (@Aidan_Regan) September 11, 2018
In a statement posted online, the Union of Students in Ireland said that they had "received reports tonight [11th September] of the arrest of two students during an occupation of a vacant property in Dublin City Centre, and understand that they have now been released but will be seeking medical attention.
"Both students were part of an occupation calling for urgent government action on homelessness and housing."
"We have been informed that there was force used to remove the students, and USI condemns any violence which may have occurred during the incident, and supports the right to peaceful protest."
"We are liaising with the students' unions of the students involved in the matter."
10,000 people homeless in Ireland and the Gardaí arrested six housing activists for highlighting the amount of empty buildings in the city. People are sleeping rough inside and outside Store Street Garda station. This country is a disgrace and a shambles. #TakeBackTheCity https://t.co/eVWwUlNkkx
— Katie O'Kelly (@KatieOKelly1) September 11, 2018