More arrests on the way as ‘upwards of 20 far-right agitators’ monitored by Special Detective Unit

It comes after far-right activist Graham Carey (39) was arrested at his Finglas home yesterday.

A source said last night: “There will be more arrests. A very close eye is being kept on certain individuals’ online activities, which is translating into problems on the ground.”

Following his arrest, Mr Carey was brought to a south Dublin garda station where he was questioned under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act.

He has previously protested outside Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s home and has become a leading voice in the anti-asylum-seeker protests which have sprung up across the city.

In the wake of rising tensions over the housing of refugees in the area, Mr Carey posted comments on social media telling gardaí they would need “every f***ing copper in the country” ahead of protests due to take place in the northside suburb this week.

Mr Carey is one of Ireland’s best-known anti-vaxxers and was involved in protests outside the private addresses of politicians.

He made his most recent comments after a group of men entered a makeshift camp of homeless men on the banks of the Tolka in Ashtown, Dublin, shortly before 1pm on Saturday, and ordered the occupants to leave.

No arrests were made after the incident.​

Hundreds of protesters gathered outside Store Street garda station in the city centre yesterday evening.

The protest blocked off part of the Luas line as protesters, some holding placards, congregated outside the garda station.

Meanwhile, speaking in the Dáil earlier, Justice Minister Simon Harris said threatening behaviour from people “intent on sowing division” will not be tolerated.

Introducing new legislation to provide for garda bodycams and similar cameras on garda dogs, Mr Harris said: “We have seen a number of incidents in recent weeks where gardaí have been seriously injured. I am sure we all absolutely condemn these incidents.

“But we have also seen threatening behaviour from people who are intent on sowing division in our society.”

Such individuals have not only intimidated and threatened people seeking Ireland’s help, “they have also, in some instances, sought to intimidate and threaten the gardaí who are protecting all of our communities,” he said.

“This will not be tolerated.

“The gardaí will always have the full support of the Government, and the introduction of body-worn cameras would enable the gathering of evidence on “such thuggish behaviour and secure convictions”, Mr Harris said.

“I would like to take this opportunity to condemn in the strongest possible terms all recent attacks on members of An Garda Síochána.

“We must do everything in our power to prevent and discourage such attacks.”

People will have seen the effective use of bodycams in other jurisdictions, he said.

“This technology has the potential to deter attacks on Garda members and, where attacks do occur, it can provide strong evidence to bring perpetrators to justice,” said Mr Harris.