German Ambassador Calls for Investigation into Police Assault on Irish Protester

The German ambassador to Ireland, David Gill, has expressed grave concern over the assault of an Irish citizen by a police officer in Berlin. The incident, which occurred during a protest on March 15, 2024, has prompted Gill to call for a thorough investigation, stating it is “now necessary to investigate” the circumstances surrounding the event.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in Ireland contacted Gill regarding the situation on Saturday. He has also communicated with the Federal Foreign Office in Germany to address the issue. Gill, who has served as ambassador in Dublin for a year, acknowledged the heightened sensitivity in Ireland concerning protests related to Gaza.

The incident involved Kitty O’Brien, a 25-year-old Dublin native, who participated in an unregistered demonstration in central Berlin against the killing of Palestinian journalists in Israeli airstrikes. Video footage from the protest shows O’Brien being punched twice in the face by a German police officer during a confrontation at the front line.

Protest organizers reported that O’Brien suffered a severe injury when her right arm was allegedly twisted by police, resulting in a broken bone. She was subsequently taken to a nearby hospital where she underwent significant surgery. Sources close to O’Brien confirmed her injuries, including a broken arm, a broken nose, and nerve damage that will require extensive physiotherapy.

In his statements, Gill described the video of the incident as “really awful” and noted that viewing it was “not easy” for him. He confirmed that investigations into the matter are ongoing, stating, “It is on the Berlin police to do so.” He expressed his intent to monitor the situation closely from Dublin, highlighting the importance of accountability in such cases.

The incident has ignited a wave of protests across Ireland, with demonstrators expressing solidarity with O’Brien and outrage over the police’s actions. Taoiseach Micheál Martin conveyed his “deep concern” over the assault, labeling it “unacceptable.” A protest outside the German embassy in Dublin featured Catherine Stocker, O’Brien’s aunt and a local council member, who stated that her niece is “as well as can be in these circumstances” despite her injuries.

O’Brien has been actively involved with the Irish Bloc Berlin, a pro-Palestinian activist group that organized the protest. Stocker criticized the police response, asserting, “For the police of a democratic state to violently attack a peaceful protest in that way is just outrageous.”

Dr. Cliona Hannon, O’Brien’s mother, reached out to both the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste regarding the attack on her daughter. She expressed frustration that no government official had contacted her by Sunday afternoon. The Irish Embassy has yet to connect with O’Brien, although a DFA spokesperson indicated they are prepared to provide consular assistance if requested.

Gill emphasized the right to protest, particularly against police violence and the stance on Israel, reflecting on his own experiences growing up in East Germany. “I would like to stress that in Germany, peaceful demonstrations are not suppressed,” he stated. He affirmed that freedom of expression is a fundamental right within German democracy.

When asked about claims from protesters asserting that police actions provoked the violence, Gill stated, “I have no information of how the violence started.” As the investigation unfolds, both the Irish and German authorities are expected to face scrutiny regarding their handling of the situation and the broader implications for civil rights during protests.