Press Releases
............PRESS RELEASE.....19th October 2004............
At approximately six thirty this morning 200 Gardai were deployed in Dunsink Lane. In addition to the current 24- hour Garda checkpoint on the Finglas end of the Lane an additional checkpoint was set up in the middle of Dunsink Lane. A number of homes were searched and 4 arrests were made in connection with offences alleged to have been committed last week.
This morning's deployment of 200 Gardai, the searching of children's school bags, the constant stopping and searching of residents of the area and the two checkpoints blocking Dunsink Lane can only be viewed as provocative measures and an invasive infringement of human rights. "We would question the manner and means of this morning's overt Garda operation. Such actions only serve to create a climate of fear, suspicion and mistrust. It will take years of hard work to repair the damage to Traveller - Gardai relations in the area" says Patrick Nevin, Pavee Point Spokesperson.
It was agreed that policing issues would be examined as part of the agreement of October 11th between Dunsink Traveller representatives, Dublin City Council and Fingal County Council. Traveller representatives recognise that Garda have a difficult job to do and have agreed to work with the Garda in a supportive role in examining policing practice in the area. Pavee Point has worked in anti-racism training with Garda recruits in Templemore for the past eight years, with the Garda Ethnic Liaison officer, and the Garda Racial and Intercultural Office and we highly value this work.
"This overt operation would seem be about PR and appeasing the general public in an effort to demonstrate that the police are actually doing something. Instead an entire community has been denied freedom of movement, children have been searched without parental approval and an entire community feels under siege. Having reached a compromise resolution last week, the authorities seem intent on unnecessarily escalating once again the situation in the area," says Patrick Nevin.
Issued by Pavee Point Travellers Centre, 01 878 0255 (103)