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Irish Times
a day ago
- Irish Times
‘Coming to Ireland I didn't notice a class divide at first'
The Dublin riots of November 2023 led Arjun Desai, a musician and teacher from India , to question his place in Ireland . But he felt the benefit of good friendships as pals looked out for him in the aftermath of the violence. He's still here. Desai had friends who were attacked in the run-up to the riots, but he never expected unrest of the scale and intensity that fateful night in Dublin. 'I think it had been seething for a long time and was the perfect storm,' he says. 'I had doubt and was uncertain about whether I would be happy to continue living in Ireland.' READ MORE At the time, Desai was working as a music and computer science teacher at Alexandra College, South Dublin and a performing musician, playing venues across the city. [ A US animal lawyer in Wexford: 'There's a real social cost here: if you're not fun, you're gonna pay' Opens in new window ] He grew up in New Delhi, arriving in Ireland in 2017 to pursue the jazz and contemporary improvised music performance programme at DCU. He previously studied engineering in India for a bachelor's degree. 21/07/2025 - NEWS - New to the Parish subject Arjun Desai in Fairview. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw/The Irish Times He says that moving here wasn't easy as he didn't know anyone. 'I felt quite isolated at first and would go on long walks by myself or visit busy parts of town to feel less isolated.' While studying he worked as a car-wash cleaner in Malahide and in a shop in Ballymun. 'I often found that even if we did not speak the same language or have the same level of English proficiency, having music or art as ways that we expressed ourselves meant that we could still understand each other.' Desai came to love his life in Dublin. He went back to DCU for teaching qualifications and became a computer science and music teacher. 'My dissertation was about enabling gender equity in second-level computer science education as I noticed that many more boys than girls were choosing to study computer science in secondary school. I wanted to find out why that was and how it affects society as a whole.' Desai worked at Alexandra College for a year and then moved to a school in Marino, north Dublin, where he now works. In the meantime he met his girlfriend Naoise, an Irishwoman who works in healthcare. 'It wasn't very romantic,' he says. 'We met through a dating app.' Desai says that although there was 'a lot of dark and antagonistic energy' on the day of the riots, many people asked after him to make sure he was okay. 'I felt lucky to have such good connections. My friend Barry gave me a lift out of his way after work the night of the riots and Daniel, another friend who had previously been my flatmate, accompanied me home from work the next day to make sure I arrived home safe.' Despite his doubts, Naoise was 'a strong pull' to stay in Ireland. 'There were moments where I might not have felt as strong a sense of belonging. I have grown close to her family, they are very kind and understanding. Naoise and I cook Indian food or watch Indian films whenever I am homesick.' Overall, there were enough positive reasons to stay. 'My work is important to me. Working in a historically diverse area and teaching students who have vastly different backgrounds from each other means that it is my job to teach students to treat each other with kindness and respect. I chose to study music as I believe in art as a medium for resistance, art can break cultural and linguistic barriers.' Of his New Delhi childhood, Desai feels a sense of serendipity. 'I went to a school which was run by Irish Christian Brothers. It was called St Columba's and I believe that there is a school in Ireland which has the same name.' Born into a middle-class family, he had a fairly conventional upbringing. 'Though I was largely insulated from India's class divide, the caste system is so prevalent in society that I could still tell that it was there. Coming to Ireland, I didn't notice a class divide at first. There is a class divide here but not to the same degree as in India,' Desai says. 'I have lost friends over this,' he says, without further explanation. He worries about the consequences of Irish inequality. 'My friends from Dublin's inner-city have a deep sense of being forgotten about. Far-right agitators use migrants as easy targets for people to direct their rage at. It's the perfect out as then they can say that it has nothing to do with government policies, which might not have people's best interests at heart.' Of India at this time, he says the atmosphere has 'taken a turn towards a sense of religious fundamentalism'. 'There has been the systematic persecution of people from ethnic minorities and atrocities committed in the name of religion. There was an episode recently where people suspected of eating beef were lynched and other acts of violence were committed, as things are turning out they are emboldening the far right.' One reason for Desai coming to Ireland was that he felt a sense of solidarity between the two countries because of the history of occupation and imperialism. 'Irish people are familiar with the freedom struggle and that was very important to me. My grandparents had to flee Lahore, in what is today Pakistan, for India in 1947 because of the British partition of the Indian Raj,' he says. 'A lot of people lost their lives during partition. I definitely have some generational trauma from that but I believe that the history of humanity is the history of migration.' Today, he is happy and settled in his life here. 'I've found Irish people to be very warm and welcoming and share a lot of cultural values with myself. The sense of humour is familiar to me.' He doesn't see himself leaving any time soon as he has come to call Ireland home. His contract in Marino has been renewed, although his work permit is taking some time to come through. 'The principal and staff at my school are very supportive of me but there is a loophole in the work permit process, which means that because the job was never advertised on a particular website, I might not be allowed to take up the job. 'My TDs have been very supportive and have issued letters on my behalf and I am currently appealing to the Department of Justice. 'I want to continue serving Irish education, write a new album of music and maybe pursue further studies to get a doctorate.' We would like to hear from people who have moved to Ireland. To get involved, email newtotheparish@
Extra.ie
02-07-2025
- Extra.ie
Shop looted in Dublin riots is robbed for the third time
A shoe shop which was looted during the Dublin Riots in 2023 has been robbed for the third time since it opened in 2020. The Asics shop on O'Connell Street was targeted by raiders at around 3.30 am yesterday. It is as yet unknown how much was taken from the store. Store owners and staff were seen trying to continue trading despite significant damage done to the front of the property as well as inside. Dublin Riots 2023. Pic: Stephen Collins/Collins Dublin Owner Paul Gallagher has been outspoken about the problems facing shop owners in the city. In the aftermath of the riots in 2023, he said: 'The gardaí are doing a lot but they must find it very frustrating, because they are arresting them, they know who they are, they are bringing them before the courts and the courts are leaving them go. 'There are no consequences for shoplifting, it's soft touch,' Mr Gallagher said. The Asics store on O'Connell Street was looted during the Dublin riots in 2023. Pic Stephen Collins/ Collins Photos On the effects the riots had on trade, he said: 'I'm very conscious of how scared people are. We have people all over this beautiful and still wonderful city who are waking up today, they're traumatised and they're scared. 'We are now dealing with something that is very different. We're dealing with thuggery on a scale that has truly shocked us all. We are also dealing with the incitement to that thuggery.' Gardaí have yet to make any arrests in the latest incident, but believe they are dealing with an organised group of teenagers. A Garda statement said: 'Gardaí received a report of an incident of burglary that occurred at approximately 3.30 am, Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at a retail premises on O'Connell Street, Dublin 1. Investigations are ongoing.'
Irish Independent
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Far-right causing ‘huge concern' as counter terror detectives dedicated to probe violent political extremism
Deputy Commission Justin Kelly also told politicians this afternoon that they have put significant resources into investigating the online activities of these groups. The Deputy Commissioner for Security, Strategy and Governance was appearing before the Justice Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migrations this afternoon. He was joined by Garda Commissioner Drew Harris and Deputy Commissioner for Operations Shawna Coxon. During the meeting Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon questioned the senior gardaí about the threat of far-right violence and the garda response to this. Deputy Commissioner Kelly said that the force has put considerable investment into targeting groups involved in violent political extremism, including investigating their online activity. Mr Kelly added that they have gardaí in the four regions who can look at activity ahead of a protest to help identify problematic areas, as well as the garda's national security and intelligence network. 'The far-right of course is a huge concern for us,' he said, and that they have officers in the counter terror Special Detective Unit solely dedicated to investigating this. 'That's all they do,' he added. Deputy Gannon also said that while prosecutions have been brought against people involved in violence during the Dublin Riots in November 2023, he said that those who instigated the violence and have large followings online have got away 'Scot free'. Commissioner Harris said that part of these investigations includes following through on social media posts and individuals where it could meet the threshold for incitement to violence. In his opening remarks the Garda chief briefed the committee on issues around recruitment, the operating model, and roads policing. As of April 3, the organisation's strength stood at 18,194 people, including 14,221 sworn gardaí, 304 reserves, and 3,669 garda staff. Mr Harris said the rate of resignations has slowed and retirements were at their expected rate, while a small number of gardaí who resigned have since rejoined the force. In the last recruitment campaign 41pc were over the age of 30, with the force 'determined' to meet the government target of 5,000 gardaí passing through Templemore. He also said they are working out a plan to meet that target which includes looking at accommodation. The Garda Commissioner also referenced the new operating model which has shifted the organisation's focus from a local district model to a district model. Its rollout has been condemned by all garda representative bodies for gardaí, sergeants, inspectors, and superintendents. Mr Harris told the committee that An Garda Síochána's structure was unchanged since 1922 and that this 'was not sustainable' at a time of rapid and constant change in the country. He described it as the biggest organisational change the force has seen, and that it was 'done in order to enhance the service we provide to the public'. He pointed to the establishment of dedicated protective service units in each division which investigate sexual offences and domestic violence. In the last two years there have been 67 prosecutions for non-fatal strangulations, 52 for coercive control, and 12 for stalking. The Garda Commissioner said that this 'great work makes a difference to victims'. The operating model has also seen a Detective Superintendent appointed to each of the 21 divisions to oversee investigations into serious criminality. Mr Harris also said that the death of Garda Kevin Flatley on May 14 'serves as a stark reminder of the risks our gardaí face while on duty but also puts into sharp focus the danger that exists on our roads today'. So far this year 72 people have lost their lives on Irish roads, down 6 from the same time last year, though Mr Harris acknowledged that this reduction 'is no consolation for the bereaved families'. Over the last 12 months gardaí have rolled out a range of road safety measures including safety cameras, unmarked vehicles, and issuing mobile devices to gardaí to that they have access to the national driver database while on the beat. Garda Commissioner Harris also told the committee that a cadaver dog was brought in to search for missing Kerry farmer Michael Gaine before his remains were found. Mr Harris said that the canine searched Mr Gaine's land and farm in the third week of the investigation but gave no indication of anything being there. Mr Gaine was reported missing on March 20 with his remains not found until May 16. Fianna Fail TD Michael Cahill criticised the Garda response and said that 'there should have been a proper search of the slurry tanks, it seems it didn't happen in this case, and raised concerns about why a review into an active murder probe is taking place. Mr Harris said it was standard practice that a peer review is undertaken in a murder investigation. There were also calls during the committee for gardai to retain their own cadaver dog. Mr Harris yesterday said that they had only been required three times during his seven year tenure. Politicians were today told that gardai had a cadaver dog until 2012, but found its skills faded because it was not utilised enough. He said there had been considerable effort made to retrain that dog because they work best when consistently used.
Irish Independent
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Drew Harris says two new water cannons to be used in ‘extreme scenarios'
Gardaí are also planning to increase the capacity at Templemore so that 1,000 recruits can be attested every year. Commissioner Drew Harris was speaking today at the launch of a report into how An Garda Síochána has transformed in the seven years under his leadership. The report states that the number of garda staff has increased by 51pc while 700 body worn cameras are now used by gardaí on a pilot basis. It says an 'information led' approach has also resulted in almost 15,000 mobility devices being issued to gardaí, The organisations vehicle fleet is at its highest ever level after spending €75m in the last five years with more than 3,600 cars, armed support vehicles and public order vans, as well as two water cannons now available. The water cannon trucks have not yet been deployed but were on standby during a recent large demonstration in Dublin city centre. Each vehicle has two mounted water cannons and are operated by trained gardaí from the public order unit, while they also have a self-extinguishing water system if they are petrol bombed. Mr Harris said that they will be deployed in 'extreme scenarios' and, referring to the Dublin Riots and Coolock Riots, noted 'very violent incidents' that had occurred in recent years. He also said that Ireland holds the EU Presidency in 2026 and that they have to be prepared for 'any public order threats that might arise' during that. 'In a very violent situation, we need to make sure that we're not suffering members being injured, as opposed to having the vehicles and the equipment, including water cannons, which can probably deal with very violent disorder. So that's what they're there for,' he said. ADVERTISEMENT 'They're there for pretty extreme scenarios, but they're there to protect the public. They're there to protect members of An Garda Síochána who are engaged in public order policing. So, it is essential that we have them ourselves.' He also said it was important that the vehicles are adaptive for the streets around Dublin and elsewhere in Ireland where they might be used. The 'Transforming An Garda Síochána 2018-2024' report was compiled to provide an organisational account of the implementation of the 'A Policing Service for Our Future' programme. It notes that Garda staff have increased by 51pc since 2018, but that the number of attested gardaí between 2019 and 2024 has reduced from 14,307 to 14,125. The Garda Commissioner has said that they plan to increase the capacity of the Garda Training College in Templemore to ensure that 1,000 gardaí can graduate every year. 'How we're going to achieve that is really then back to our actual recruitment process. We've revamped all of our processes, to try and speed them up and try and bring people through the process quicker and actually make it more related to the vocation that it is.' So far 700 gardaí have piloted new body worn cameras which frontline personnel have described as the 'most important and invaluable' adaption to their personnel protective equipment in recent years. Gardaí have received a report on the pilot phase and will begin the process of rolling out the body worn cameras across the organisation by the end of this year. Mr Harris said that anecdotally there has been evidence of them reducing threats to frontline members while also acting as an investigative tool. 'I think it makes a difference in terms of just taking the temperature out of a situation when people are told that a camera is on, and those who have any sense at all realise their actions are being recorded, but some don't,' she said. 'And then this is very useful evidence, very appropriate evidence then, to bring before the courts. It gives the unvarnished, unalloyed description and representation of their behaviour at the scene. 'So that does make a difference. And we believe that it's really significant for us in terms of just speeding up criminal justice cases, but also helping on the ground and on the street-based situations.' A significant change has been the rollout of the operating model which has moved from localised focus at district level to larger autonomous divisions. Mr Harris rejected collective criticism of the model from policing representative bodies, and said they don't speak about the successes delivered under it. He said this included each division having a Detective Superintendent to oversee serious criminal investigations and Divisional Protective Services Unit to investigate sexual offences and domestic violence, as well as increasing the number of garda staff to free up attested garda members.
BreakingNews.ie
27-05-2025
- General
- BreakingNews.ie
Man who started fire on Luas during Dublin riots to be sentenced in October
A man who started a fire on a Luas during the Dublin riots has been remanded in custody pending sentence next October. Evan Moore (20) of Grangemore Road, Donaghmede, Dublin 13, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to rioting, damaging a Luas by fire and damaging the windows of a Luas tram on November 23rd, 2025. Moore was spotted by gardaí at another anti-immigration protest the following May and admitted immediately that he had been at the Dublin riots. Advertisement The riot broke out after a five-year-old girl was severely wounded in a stabbing at Parnell Square earlier that day, where two other children and a crèche worker were also injured The court heard that the Luas service was suspended for 24 hours and the damage to the tram was estimated at just under €5 million after seats and wiring was damaged. The estimated cost of the clean up by council workers in the days after the riot was €159,000 and €115,000 worth of damaged had been caused to property in the area. CCTV A 12 minute long video – a compilation of CCTV footage and videos on social media from the day – was played to the court. This demonstrated that Moore's involvement in the riot lasted from 7.05pm to 7.40pm that evening. Advertisement He could be seen on the footage moving a bin that was alight and bringing it onto the Luas before damage windows on the tram. Detective Inspector Ken Hoare accepted in cross-examination by Seoirse Ó Dúnlaing SC, defending, that subsequent analysis of Moore's phone found conversations with his mother in which she was asking her son to return home from town. 'Scumbags wrecking their own city,' Moore's mother messaged following by a message a minute later: 'Get out before it is too late and something happens.' Then finally she messaged him: 'Please, please leave Evan….my heart is racing'. Advertisement Det Insp Hoare agreed with Mr Ó Dúnlaing that Moore's parents found it 'abhorrent' that their son was in the city centre that day and the messages found on his phone 'were reflective of his family's attitude to him being there'. Det Insp Hoare told Stephen Montgomery BL, prosecuting, that a group of anti-immigrant protestors had gathered at the Garden of Remembrance around 3.30pm following the earlier incident at Parnell Square. A hostile crowd gathered around 4pm at Cavendish Row, at the bottom of O'Connell Street and the Luas line was blocked there by the gathering. A total of 600 gardaí were deployed to deal with the riot and it was estimated that at its height, 500 rioters were involved. Advertisement Det Insp Hoare confirmed that the riot began with the burning of a garda vehicle. A Luas tram was initially blocked at 4.40pm by around 10 protestors preventing it from passing onto O'Connell Street. The passengers got off the Luas but the driver remained on it until the violence escalated. He was then removed for his own safety and the tram was locked. Det Insp Hoare said the footage showed Moore damaging widows on the Luas around 7.30pm before he and others brought materials from a bin that had been set on fire onto the tram. 17,000 hours footage Gardaí viewed 17,000 hours of CCTV footage and identified over 100 suspect rioters. Advertisement In May the following year during another anti-immigration protest, Moore was spotted by officers. He was stopped and admitted that he had been in the city centre the previous November during the riots. His home was later searched and his phone seized for analysis. He was arrested on May 14th, 2024 and during interview Moore identified himself on footage. He agreed that he had got 'caught up in the moment' and that he was ashamed of his behaviour and regretted his involvement. Det Insp Hoare confirmed that Moore has no previous convictions and was 18 years old at the time of the riots. He agreed with Mr Ó Dúnlaing that the riot was 'one of the most shameful acts in Irish history'. He acknowledged that Moore made immediate admissions when he was stopped by gardaí during the May protest. Det Insp Hoare agreed that there were different levels of criminality involved in the riot that day which had started on the back of 'a horrific attack on a child'. He acknowledged that many young people had 'been whipped up into a frenzy' by ill-informed 'malignant narcissists' and 'horrific racist commentary' on social media following the attack. Det Insp Hoare accepted that Moore was one of those people that fell into the category of being 'whipped up' and influenced by others. Moore's mother, Karen Moore, told Mr Ó Dúnlaing that she had pleaded with her son to come home once she had learned he had gone into the city. She said she was disgusted, embarrassed and ashamed by his behaviour. 'He was always raised to respect the law and the gardaí,' she said. She agreed that he has since completed an anti-racism course online and is an apprentice electrician. Mr Ó Dúnlaing submitted that his client is from a stable family and has positive employment and is someone who could engage positively in society. A letter of apology was handed to the court. Counsel said Moore was also involved with his local GAA club. 'He can be a force for good,' Mr Ó Dúnlaing submitted. He said his client was a 'very impressionable young person' at the time that had been 'swept up in anti-immigrant sentiment'. He asked for the case to be adjourned to allow for the preparation of a probation report. Judge Orla Crowe said a probation report would be of assistance adding that there were 'particularly troubling aspects in the case'. She revoked Moore's bail and remanded him in custody until October 13th next for sentence and ordered the preparation of a report from the Probation Service.
