It appears neither protestors at Coolock nor the Government itself are going to “back down” amid increasing tension. 

That’s according to Irish Times Political Correspondent Jack Horgan-Jones following a week of protests at a north Dublin site earmarked for asylum seekers. 

Three Gardaí were injured, and one man was arrested yesterday after a peaceful protest escalated to a public order incident. 

There have been several protests and three fires around the former Crown Paints site – which the Government plans to accommodate asylum seekers. 

Multiple people have also been arrested, along with Gardaí deploying public order units using riot gear, spray and batons to ward off protestors. 

Mr Horgan-Jones said this “running conflict” is “not going anywhere”. 

“It doesn't look like either side is going to back down,” he told The Anton Savage Show. 

“If you look at it from the Government’s point of view, the Minister for Integration Roderic O’Gorman was out this week saying they’re not going to be putting asylum seekers into this building today or tomorrow, but the preparations are underway. 

“From their perspective, they can't really be seen to be backing down.” 

There is also, however, a “head of steam building” from protestors in Coolock, many of whom are locals against asylum seekers moving into the area. 

“Gardaí are obviously saying that like it's being fanned by misinformation and disinformation,” Mr Horgan-Jones said. 

“And you have people from outside the community coming in as well and driving it – but there’s no de-escalation point.” 

The political correspondent pointed out that Coolock is not the only example of recent violent incidents, such as attacks on asylum seekers camped on City Quay. 

Gardaí respond to the violent unrest in Coolock. Image: Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews

Newstalk reporter Sheila Naughton has been at the protests this week – where the attitude is often angry and hostile towards the media. 

“[Protestors] constantly will say they want to tell the truth, or they want the truth to be out there,” she said. 

“You will offer the chance to speak, and you get an awful lot of abuse for that as well.” 

Justice Minister Helen McEntee told Newstalk scenes there on Monday were ‘in no way legitimate protest’. 

"That was not protest; it was criminal behaviour and criminal activity," she said. 

Minister McEntee added that she believed their "sole purpose was to sow division but also to create havoc". 

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