DonabatePortrane.net

Don’t know if anyone else had similar issues- though I heard there were a good few…

The disgraceful behaviour of the Gardai in Donabate on Sunday 4th August , the closing of Smyths pub weekend, was like the bad old days of the RUC and their behaviour in the north of Ireland.

A good friend of mine upon leaving Keelings was swarmed with the large crowd that were leaving Smyths.

Behind them were Gardai in combative if not riot gear – certainly not Garda uniforms (apart from a couple).

These gardai seemed to be in a highly emotional , highly agitated state and looking for trouble or to start it.



He and his missus stopped to talk to a few of the guys he knew at the junction of Keelings car park and shortly after this a young tall male garda waded through the group to shout at him to get off the road and go home.

My friend replied and said yes he will go in a second, to which that garda shoved him and shouted “go home now!!"

He then responded to the garda asking ‘ why did you need to push me’ , to which the garda walked over to be right in front of him and again aggressively shouted “if you say one more word I will arrest you”.



His wife was very upset over this , they moved on as they didn’t want to have to deal with an unwarranted overly aggressive, over emotional and irrational garda, but when they went to move he again shouted at
them to move the way he wanted- they told him ‘ sorry but we live this direction’ and expected him to lash out or grab them and arrest him as they walked towards Beverton but they were let carry on.


While walking they observed other gardai (including the female gardai) all behaving in a similar aggressive fashion – when there was absolutely no provocation or rationale for their attitude and heavy handedness.

I can see how protests at these ‘asylum centres’ turn into riots – with garda heavy handedness and agitating people for no reason other than to provoke them to react.

Its as if they want to cause a reaction to create negative press – or worse still, give the government an excuse to bring in a kind of ‘martial law’ that the likes of Poland and other communist rules countries had back
in the 70’s and 80’s.

Why was there a Garda riot squad , equipped with vehicles, multiple officers, Shields etc in Donabate that night?

Were they practicing for inciting violence in other places?, as there was no requirement for a Garda presence that night, let alone a riot squad.

We barely get noticed by the Gardai at the best of times, yet we get our quota for the decade in one night when they were practicing for their ‘next Coolock’.
so who ordered all this AND WHY !!!???

I think you're looking for the Donabate Portrane Facebook page, that's usually where people like to go to try and drum up social unrest. If there was a proactive Garda presence outside then I'm very impressed with the foresight of whoever requested them to be there.

If a Garda was rude or aggressive to you or your friends then I'm sorry to hear that, it does happen. But that's it, you just encountered a rude man who told you to go home. End of story.

In an alternate history, if a large crowd spilled out and any anti-social behaviour took place people would complain that the Gardai do nothing, this just sounds like effective policing that most people would appreciate.

interesting response ...
so we had unruly gardai , aggressive behaviour from multiple gardai, no identifying numbers on shoulders- and im told im trying to drum up social unrest !!

you either miss the point or obtusely avoid it on purpose here. I'm wondering what your reason for this is... are you a member of the gardai?

proactive presence? for what? people leaving a pub - where there was no reported incidents. let alone something for multitudes of cops ready for action... (including identifying Garda numbers not on their shoulders).

why leave it until after Smyths closed if they had any issues with what reportedly has gone on in there for years...

I'm laughing at 'its just a rude man comment.
These are our professional custodians of law and order. - we don't expect them to flout that or seek to instigate violence - which is what he would have done if it was a lesser societal environment.

If a large crowd came out of smyths - that's what happens most bank holiday weekends (plus Keelings).
what was the basis for comparison here?
Given we have no Garda station in Donabate, we have been told that Swords Gardai will respond to any calls.
that's the model that's in place and what we expect.
why is this any different?
Just because Smyths was closing?
you offer paltry if's and buts conjecture.
The world we live in deals in facts.

Facts here are the Gardai and their behaviour was a disgrace.
It seems pre-meditated from the uniformity of their behaviour and hostility towards people in Donabate, given the riot gear that was on show and the preparation by gardai to rid themselves of any means of identification.

its not on.
its not for any facebook page. if you are uncomfortable with the facts being circulated due to your connection with gardai, thats just tough.
People are free to report on facts.
We pay our taxes and expect the Gardai to be our public servants and uphold the law, not cause incidents..

We appreciate them doing their public service - not turning into a paramilitary style gang.
Freedom of speech still exists.. Id hope this does enlighten others about what the Gardai are up to.

These heavy handed Gardai in riot gear......are they in the room with us now?

Lurker wrote: ↑19 Aug 2024, 22:04 These heavy handed Gardai in riot gear......are they in the room with us now?

were you there on that sunday night in Donabate main st ?

golden wrote: ↑19 Aug 2024, 10:13 I think you're looking for the Donabate Portrane Facebook page, that's usually where people like to go to try and drum up social unrest. If there was a proactive Garda presence outside then I'm very impressed with the foresight of whoever requested them to be there.

If a Garda was rude or aggressive to you or your friends then I'm sorry to hear that, it does happen. But that's it, you just encountered a rude man who told you to go home. End of story.

In an alternate history, if a large crowd spilled out and any anti-social behaviour took place people would complain that the Gardai do nothing, this just sounds like effective policing that most people would appreciate.

You want to downplay the event by the looks of it. Wasn't there on the night but heard about that
Maybe you can answer why are Gardai in riot gear being deployed in Donabate or do you not find that a little sinister?

Don't find it sinister at all, and no I don't have a connection to the Gardai.

I think it's reasonable to have Gardai present for the closing down of a pub that, even though I loved it and am sad to see it close, was routinely plagued by antisocial behaviour. Possibly due to the pile of lads with white noses that were the regulars of the back bar.

Even in the original posts very likely overblown version of e events, all that happened was a lad raised his voice and moved people on... Scandalous.

golden wrote: ↑21 Aug 2024, 14:11 Don't find it sinister at all, and no I don't have a connection to the Gardai.

I think it's reasonable to have Gardai present for the closing down of a pub that, even though I loved it and am sad to see it close, was routinely plagued by antisocial behaviour. Possibly due to the pile of lads with white noses that were the regulars of the back bar.

Even in the original posts very likely overblown version of e events, all that happened was a lad raised his voice and moved people on... Scandalous.

Were you there to witness this??

The psychology of your reply is very interesting.
Does this form of projection , attacking someone else's perspective and opinion usually work for you?

Just because you don't like the disgraceful aggressive behaviour of MULTIPLE gardai that night being highlighted... you've decided to attack the messenger!!

The gardai had years to address this establishment and it's issues... as you've pointed out , they were well known. So why didn't they then??

What did you witness ??? Were you there???

I was !!! If anything I've underplayed it!! Complaints have been made to an Garda and local politicians. This disgusting display by our public servants is unprofessional and not on.

golden wrote: ↑21 Aug 2024, 14:11 Don't find it sinister at all, and no I don't have a connection to the Gardai.

I think it's reasonable to have Gardai present for the closing down of a pub that, even though I loved it and am sad to see it close, was routinely plagued by antisocial behaviour. Possibly due to the pile of lads with white noses that were the regulars of the back bar.

Even in the original posts very likely overblown version of e events, all that happened was a lad raised his voice and moved people on... Scandalous.

The riot squad were there for the good of their health then?

Funny they never deploy them in the city centre at closing time..

Gardai are losing the trust of Irish citizens - that's very dangerous.

Batman3 wrote: ↑20 Aug 2024, 16:00

Lurker wrote: ↑19 Aug 2024, 22:04 These heavy handed Gardai in riot gear......are they in the room with us now?

were you there on that sunday night in Donabate main st ?

You weren't

Batman3 wrote: ↑21 Aug 2024, 16:53
What did you witness ??? Were you there???

I was !!! If anything I've underplayed it!!

You said it was your friend and his wife.

Now you were there?

Keep track of your lies

Lurker wrote: ↑22 Aug 2024, 22:27

Batman3 wrote: ↑21 Aug 2024, 16:53
What did you witness ??? Were you there???

I was !!! If anything I've underplayed it!!

You said it was your friend and his wife.

Now you were there?

Keep track of your lies

I'm afraid you are incorrect. Obviously you lack the capacity to read and comprehend.
I was outlining the treatment afforded to my friend and his wife , I witnessed it.
I was there. Point out where I indicated I wasnt !!!
What I didn't fully see was the full entirety of the gardai numbers abd their riot gear up close- thankfully.

But I can supply several witnesses to verify my presence at the shameful display by our gardai public servants. Can introduce you to them Amy time you want
I think there is a village somewhere that's missing you.

So....answer the question.... were you there?? :

Batman3 wrote: ↑25 Aug 2024, 09:13
So....answer the question.... were you there?? :

Yeah, I was. I met an unruly couple in the middle of the village and I had to tell them for go home.

They wouldn't listen and were being very threatening so I had to push the male. The female with him was wrecking our heads, so my colleague had a word with her.

I’m glad someone raised this topic and not sure if it’s been raised by councillors with AGS? We need a stronger Garda presence on the peninsula but not a riot squad for the closing of Smiths. I saw 10 to 15 Garda members in their full riot gear provoking people after they left for a reaction. They acted like they needed arrests so it wasn’t a wasted exercise. I can only imagine what they get away with at immigration protests after witnessing them that night.

Lurker wrote: ↑25 Aug 2024, 23:13

Batman3 wrote: ↑25 Aug 2024, 09:13
So....answer the question.... were you there?? :

Yeah, I was. I met an unruly couple in the middle of the village and I had to tell them for go home.

They wouldn't listen and were being very threatening so I had to push the male. The female with him was wrecking our heads, so my colleague had a word with her.

Lurker wrote: ↑25 Aug 2024, 23:13

Batman3 wrote: ↑25 Aug 2024, 09:13
So....answer the question.... were you there?? :

Yeah, I was. I met an unruly couple in the middle of the village and I had to tell them for go home.

They wouldn't listen and were being very threatening so I had to push the male. The female with him was wrecking our heads, so my colleague had a word with her.

ok so youre really just a troll with no clue of what actually happened but want to try dictate what happened - as it doesnt fall in line with what you want to have happened.
yeah I understand attention seekers like you alright - a blight on society

Graham wrote: ↑26 Aug 2024, 10:19 I’m glad someone raised this topic and not sure if it’s been raised by councillors with AGS? We need a stronger Garda presence on the peninsula but not a riot squad for the closing of Smiths. I saw 10 to 15 Garda members in their full riot gear provoking people after they left for a reaction. They acted like they needed arrests so it wasn’t a wasted exercise. I can only imagine what they get away with at immigration protests after witnessing them that night.

Lurker wrote: ↑25 Aug 2024, 23:13

Batman3 wrote: ↑25 Aug 2024, 09:13
So....answer the question.... were you there?? :

Yeah, I was. I met an unruly couple in the middle of the village and I had to tell them for go home.

They wouldn't listen and were being very threatening so I had to push the male. The female with him was wrecking our heads, so my colleague had a word with her.

fully agree Graham - well said

plus yes we do/will need a full time (non riot) garda presence in Donabate!

def can see who causes the riots now after our garda riot police in donabate episode!!!