2021 Dublin riots

A series of riots began in Dublin, Ireland on the night of 4 June 2021 over the June bank holiday weekend and during the COVID-19 pandemic, in which glass bottles and other objects were thrown at members of the Garda Síochána. A number of public order incidents began when Gardaí attempted to disperse large organised groups congregating at a number of locations including South William Street, St Stephen's Green and Temple Bar Square.

On the evening of Friday 4 June 2021, large crowds were present in Dublin city centre with the vast majority of people socialising responsibly and enjoying outdoor activity. A number of public order incidents occurred in the south city centre, primarily involving large organised groups congregating, drinking alcohol, singing and dancing at a number of locations including South William Street, St Stephen's Green and Temple Bar Square.

The night saw clashes between the Garda Public Order Unit and people partying on the street at South William Street, in breach of COVID-19 restrictions, where violence broke out with glass bottles and other objects being thrown before a Garda baton charge dispersed the crowd. Footage of the baton charge was widely shared on social media with some expressing criticism at the tactics used by Gardaí on the scene. The violent attacks resulted in 14 people, including nine adults and five juveniles, arrested for public order offences, a Garda member sustaining a leg injury and receiving hospital treatment, and a Garda patrol vehicle being damaged.

Videos shared online showed assaults on the streets of Dublin as groups of people were drinking. On Grafton Street, a man in his 40s required hospital treatment after suffering a slash to the head. In a separate incident, an employee at a local business was assaulted and left with facial injuries. Other videos showed incidents in Temple Bar and an assault in a train station.

Throughout the afternoon and evening of Saturday 5 June, Gardaí maintained a visible presence in Dublin city centre. A number of main streets were sealed off by Gardaí, crowds were cleared from South William Street, South Ann Street, Dawson Street, St Stephen's Green and Temple Bar, while Gardaí were armed with riot shields in a bid to disperse crowds that had begun gathering and prevent similar scenes to Friday night and restricted access to St Stephen's Green for people who carried alcohol.

However, for a second consecutive night of public order incidents, violence erupted in Dublin's south city centre. Gardaí again came under fire from glass bottles and other objects after around 200 youths gathered on South Anne Street at around 9pm. "Soft cap" public order units with shields were deployed, and dispersed crowds along the street, as well as Dawson Street. At around 10:15pm, more glass bottles were thrown in the Temple Bar area and the public order unit once again dispersed crowds. The violent attacks resulted in 19 people, including two juveniles, arrested for public order offences, two Garda members injured, a bin set on fire, a passer-by assaulted, and a Garda patrol vehicle being damaged.

An extensive, high visibility policing operation was put in place by uniformed officers supported by public order units on Sunday 6 June.

14 people (including 3 juveniles) were arrested during a third consecutive night of public order incidents, as Gardaí dispersed crowds of youths "loitering" in the city centre. The night was, however, quieter with most people socialising responsibly outdoors, and no Gardaí were injured.