Justice Minister to seek Cabinet approval for ban on balaclavas at protests ‘in coming weeks’

The move comes as the government is set to introduce a ban on wearing balaclavas and other masks at protests.

In her speech at the Convention Center Monday before citizenship ceremonies, she said that “a person’s right to protest” is a “cornerstone of our country.”

“However, that does not give a person the right to instill fear or intimidate at the same time,” she told the The Irish Independent.

“That is why, in the coming weeks, we will be seeking Cabinet approval to begin drafting legislation to stop people wearing balaclavas in scenarios where they are trying to instill fear or intimidate.

“Over the past year, we have seen a small number of people engaging in violence, disorder and violent protests while wearing face coverings.

“I don’t want this to be allowed. It shouldn’t be allowed. It makes the police’s job harder, and so what I’m doing here is helping the police, making sure that those who commit these types of crimes that cause intimidation and instill fear can be brought to justice.”

The Minister has considered legal advice from Attorney General Rossa Fanning. Mr Fanning told the Minister that laws could be introduced to make it an offence to wear a mask where protesters clearly intend to intimidate others and to prevent police officers from identifying them if they commit crimes.

The legislation will aim to ensure that face masks can be worn at protests for legitimate reasons, such as medical reasons or due to cold weather.

Minister McEntee is working with the Attorney General and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris to ensure the new legislation can be implemented in the “most effective way possible”.

“The next step will be to start writing and I hope to do that as soon as possible,” she said.

She confirmed that there was no clear timetable yet for when the legislation would come into force.

“It would be another element of the arsenal that the gardaí could use to respond to these types of violent behaviour,” she said.

“People have the right to protest. However, no one should have the right to instill fear to intimidate another person.

“I will do everything I can to prevent this.”

Meanwhile, she said Fine Gael continues to “work closely” with its coalition partners ahead of the next general election.

“We have a lot of work to do. My focus is to ensure that as Minister for Justice I have an adequate budget, that the Gardaí are supported, that we can continue to modernise our courts and invest in domestic and sexual violence services, that our prisons are supported and those who work in them.

“All my colleagues will also focus on this topic in the coming weeks.

“A really important piece of legislation that I want to see passed is the one that aims to modernize our family courts,” she added.