Masks to get demo ban under new law
PEOPLE will be banned from wearing masks and balaclavas to “intimidate” at protests under new plans being drawn up by Justice Minister Helen Mcentee.
It follows recent criticism about masked men demonstrating outside the homes of senior Government ministers, including Taoiseach Simon Harris and Green Party leader Roderic O’gorman.
Masks and balaclavas have also been worn at several antiimmigration protests across the country in recent months.
A spokeswoman for Minister Mcentee confirmed she is consulting with the Attorney General Rossa Fanning and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris about how a law banning face coverings would work.
INTIMIDATE
“The Minister intends to introduce a ban on wearing masks at protests in circumstances where the wearing of a mask is intended to intimidate,” she confirmed.
The Taoiseach recently criticised demonstrations where people are wearing masks being described as “protests”.
It followed a gathering outside the Wicklow home he shares with his wife and two young children in June.
“If masked men turned up outside your house, it wouldn’t be described as protest,” Mr Harris told the Irish Mirror.
“It’s not protest when it happens outside my house either. This situation cannot be allowed to continue.”
Elsewhere, Minister Mcentee confirmed she had spoken to the North’s Justice Minister Naomi Long following violent scenes in Belfast and offered “full support following the appalling acts of violence and racism over the weekend”.
Protests took part in the city as Ms Mcentee confirmed she had spoken to Commissioner Harris about the fact people appeared to have travelled across the border to take part.