Gardaí arrest Thomas Cook staff

dublin | worker & community struggles and protests | feature Wednesday August 05, 2009 07:58 by K.Nikolaisen - SWP

Over 150 Garda smashed their way into Thomas Cook travel agency at 5am this morning

Some of the 150 Strong Force used to End the Occupation

At 5 AM this morning, over 150 Garda took part in an opperation to remove Thomas Cook workers who had occupied the building.They sealed off the street, dragged peaceful demonstrators away from the front door,and smashed their way in with a battering ram.

Related Links:
Belfast picket outside Thomas Cook Today at lunchtime
Protest to support Thomas Cook Workers
Thomas Cook occupied by workers

Keep the pressure up: Contact ALL TDs, Senators, and MEPs in Ireland and let them know how you feel about this - Contact.ie

At 5 AM this morning, over 150 Garda took part in an operation to remove Thomas Cook workers who had occupied the building. They sealed off the street, dragged peaceful demonstrators away from the front door, and smashed their way in with a battering ram.

First, around 25 Gardaí marched up to the front door of the building. Over 150 Gardaí followed them on foot and in riot vans. The latter placed metal barriers across the street, from Trinity College to the bottom of Grafton Street and more across the top of the street affectively sealing off the area. It's estimated 50 to 60 Gardaí manned each line of barriers.

About a dozen protesters huddled together at the front of the building. When the Gardaí arrived they immediately used force to remove the protesters even though all of them repeated the words '…this is a peaceful protest…' Women were dragged along the ground by their feet, and put into arm and wrist locks by Gardaí twice their size. One man was punched as he sat on the ground by the front door.

Once the Gardaí had managed to force the handful of demonstrators back, they immediately produced a battering ram and proceeded to break the door down by breaking the glass and also the doorframe.

Before they arrived there were a number of people inside, sleeping on the floor. It’s believed at least one pregnant lady was inside, and she was taken to the Coombe Hospital as she went into labour early.

Many witnesses who saw the events unfold before their eyes were horrified at the amount of force and manpower that was used to gain entry to the building. The workers inside, and the supporters outside, had said from the start that it was a peaceful demonstration.

There will be a protest at 1 o'clock at the Bridewell Garda station. Those arrested will be appearing at the Dublin District Court no 45/46 at 2 pm today