Lifestyle & Sports
27 Oct 21

CATU Protest Against Violent Eviction To Take Place in Stoneybatter Tonight

CATU Ireland have urged members of the public to gather at 23 Prussia Street at 6pm to protest against evictions from the site in Stoneybatter.

Gardaí and housing activists clashed today over a violent eviction which took place at 23 Prussia Street.

Numerous people were assaulted, according to reports, at around 7am this morning in Stoneybatter, when security personnel smashed windows with baseball bats.

At lunchtime, a large number of Garda attended the D7 scene, apparently in order to prevent reoccupation. "The deployment of more than – paid for by public taxes – seven Garda cars plus the helicopter to enforce an eviction is a significant - and unusual - use of public resources," one source commented.

Non-for-profit organisation CATU Ireland have since called on members of the public to attend a protest this evening in solidarity with those who have lost place of abode - allegedly illegally.

Aftermath of what seems to have been a violent 7am eviction in Stoneybatter this morning where bailiffs smashed windows with baseball bats. At lunch 20+ Garda, 7 cars & the helicopter were there to prevent reoccupation - in effect once more legitimizing an illegal eviction pic.twitter.com/a4li2CpSqG

— Andrew Flood 👨🏻‍💻📝🕺 (@andrewflood) October 27, 2021

"6PM THIS EVENING: All those who can do so are being asked by the occupants to mobilise outside Sunnyvale, 23 Prussia Street," CATU Fairview/Marino tweeted. "They'd like a show of support from those currently working/otherwise engaged. If you can attend, please do. Today's reprehensible scenes must be resisted."

Interestingly, there is a planning application in for what looks like 'Build to Rent' apartments on the site. The location has already seen a large number of developments, which potentially explains local discomfort – with more evictions taking place to serve private property.

As of 4pm this evening, the security enforcers have abandoned the scene, according to Sunnyvale social centre.

The Bailiffs fled with their tail between their legs! The space is ours again. We’d ask that people come out again at 6pm to show support and really hammer home that we will not tolerate evictions in our communities!!

Thank you so much, yous are all legends! pic.twitter.com/Yh2Eiof1yA

— ThatSocialCentre (@thatsocialcentr) October 27, 2021