Man (30s) arrested in Co Wicklow after workmen abused has not been charged

A large group of people gathered at the long-closed Lawless Hotel in Aughrim on Monday morning, after learning that workmen were on site. The group questioned the workmen and videos have circulated online since allegedly showing this group displaying abusive behaviour towards the workers, as onlookers applaud.

In a statement on Thursday, An Garda Siochána condemned this behaviour and said a local sergeant was also abused when attending the scene. They arrested a man in his 30s on Thursday morning for alleged public order offences.

Today's News in 90 seconds - 2nd May 2024

“Workers contracted to carry out lawful employment on the site were allegedly subjected to abuse by some individuals present,” a spokesperson for An Garda Siochána said. “Some of the abuse was loudly applauded by all those present.

“Some of this alleged abuse was posted online and has received significant social media attention and commentary, further compounding the impact of the incident on those targeted for abuse.

“A member of An Garda Síochána attended the scene, and was also subjected to abuse. This Garda sergeant, based in Co. Wicklow, works on a daily basis for the benefit of the community in Wicklow.

“As part of a criminal investigation into the circumstances of the incident, a man aged in his 30s was arrested under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994 this morning Thursday, May 2nd 2024 and is currently detained for questioning under Section 4 Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a garda station in Co. Wicklow.

“An Garda Síochána respects the right for citizens to exercise their constitutional rights; this right does not extend to breaches of Criminal Law or the interference with the rights of other citizens to carry out their daily activities.”

An Garda Síochána confirmed in a statement on Friday that the man they arrested over the incident has now been released with out charge.

The statement on Thursday also appealed for the public to independently verify information they find on social media and/ or messaging apps.

Rumours of the property being used to house asylum-seekers or Ukrainian refugees have been rife since it was sold last year.

However, the Department of Integration confirmed on Monday that the property is not under consideration to house Ukrainians or international protection applicants.

The community was given this news at a public meeting on Monday night, which also discussed plans for a food court to open at the location this summer.

A new Facebook page purporting to be “new owners and operators of Lawless’s Hotel” has outlined plans for ‘The Lawless Heron’ food court to open at the site this summer.

They wrote that they had “appointed a contractor to start work on cleaning up the exterior of the hotel, restoring services to the building and making some much-needed operational changes to the beer garden”.

The plans, whose authenticity has not been verified, nor the owner of the Facebook page, incorporate an outdoor food and beverage service, with a minimum of three food trucks, a small cafe/bar and outdoor seating, open from June to the end of September.

The owners of the Facebook page have declined to comment at this time.