Early today, the structures of Leinster House and Government Buildings were tightly secured by a constellation of barricades ahead of the inaugural day of the Dáil’s new term. Dozens of police officers diligently managed these varied barricades, barring both motorists and pedestrians from nearing the Leinster House gates within a 100m perimeter unless they were appropriately authorised, with stringent checks in place.
The four streets: St Stephen’s Green, Molesworth St, Nassau St, and Setanta Place leading to Kildare St, were under strict lockdown. Also, the intersection of Baggot St and Merrion St was closed just like all other routes leading from Merrion Square.
All individuals, even a 15-year-old schoolgirl dressed in a convent school uniform trying to reach her nearby St Stephen’s Green school, were subject to the unprecedented access rules. This sparked doubts about her potential threat to the government.
Business owners and workers from neighbouring establishments faced similar access limitations. A man standing outside a Merrion Square office chuckled at the disruption, showing slight irritation at having to provide a letter from his employer verifying his identity to access his workplace.
“I felt as if I needed my mother’s clearance to go to work,” he commented. Responding to a passerby’s query, he quipped: “I reckon Simon Harris has a concert today, with Michael Healy-Rae opening the act.”
A police spokeswoman declined to comment on ongoing operations but noted that the roadblocks “are anticipated to be maintained until this evening”.
While the nearby streets of Lenister St resembled a tranquil Sunday morning, elsewhere in the city it was a contrasting view, as widespread detours caused heavy traffic congestion and gridlocks along Baggot St, Fitzwilliam St, and as far as the north and south quays.