Irish ambassador to Germany ‘concerned’ after Irish protester punched by police

The Ambassador in Berlin and senior officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs have voiced their 'concern' about the incident to the German authorities.

The incident took place on Thursday (28 August) at a pro-Palestine protest. In a clip that is being widely circulated online, Kitty O'Brien - a member of Irish Bloc Berlin, a platform for Irish solidarity with Palestine based in the German city - is shown being punched in the face twice by officers.

O'Brien can be heard in the video shouting at police: "You don't f*****g scare us."

Bloodied from the punches, O'Brien also tells them: "This is on you. This is on you. Their blood on your hands."

The clip shows the demonstrator then being forcefully dragged away by police.

Irish Bloc Berlin has since reported that O'Brien's arm was broken during the incident.

"Multiple officers grabbed and contorted our comrade's left arm, while our comrade showed zero signs of resistance," the group told JOE.

"They were then doubled over, forced into a headlock, and dragged away. While being dragged, their right arm was pulled and then twisted with great force, snapping the bone.

"Bloody and disoriented, they were taken to Berlin’s Charité hospital where they received treatment.

"At the time of writing they are now undergoing surgery on their arm, and we wish them a swift recovery."

Sharing the video on its social channels, the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) described the incident as "absolutely disgusting" and expressed solidarity with O'Brien.

People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy also commented on the viral clip, stating: "German police punching and breaking the arm of an Irish activist, Kitty O'Brien. Authoritarianism is on the rise across the West as governments desperately try to shut down any criticism of genocide."

In a statement to JOE, the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs said it is aware of the incident.

A spokesperson added: "The Ambassador in Berlin and senior officials in the Department have conveyed our concern about the incident to the German authorities.

"Officials in the Department stand ready to provide consular assistance to the citizen concerned, should they request it."

In a statement to JOE, Berlin Police spokesperson Florian Nath said that the incident has been reported to the police watchdog, the Directorate for Police Offenses at the Berlin State Criminal Police Office.

This is "in order to determine whether any aspects of the police response may be disproportionate or of criminal relevance”.

Nath also stated that during a "violent demonstration" in Berlin-Mitte, a demonstrator of "foreign descent" was taken into custody.

He said that, despite "repeated orders to leave the area", the protester "refused to comply and insulted verbally and offended physically several police officers".

"Officers were compelled to use immediate force, including selected targeted strikes, to overcome the resistance and carry out the arrest," Nath added.

"From my point of view, there is clear evidence for verbal insults shouted by this individual."

Nath also said: "The individual has been introduced to Berliner Feuerwehr medical service team. Investigations are ongoing."

Main image credit: Irish Bloc Berlin