Irish Protester Assaulted by Police During Berlin Demonstration

A protest in Berlin against the killing of journalists in Gaza turned violent when an Irish participant was assaulted and arrested by German police. Kitty O’Brien, a 25-year-old from Dublin, was hospitalized following the incident that occurred during a demonstration described as a “civil disobedience” protest on March 14, 2024. The event has since led to protests in Dublin and Derry City, drawing attention to police conduct during the rally.

Video footage of the demonstration shows O’Brien being punched twice in the face by a police officer amid a confrontation at the front line. Following the assault, O’Brien reportedly shouted at the officers, “you don’t f**king scare us,” and later claimed, “this is on you, there is blood on your hands,” as blood ran down their face. O’Brien was taken into custody shortly after, during which protest organizers allege that their right arm was twisted, resulting in a broken bone. O’Brien was subsequently admitted to the Charité university hospital, where they underwent significant surgery and are expected to remain hospitalized for several days.

The Irish Ambassador to Germany, Maeve Collins, has raised concerns with local authorities regarding the incident. A spokesperson for the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed that they are prepared to provide consular assistance to O’Brien upon request. In a statement made in Kerry, Taoiseach Micheál Martin expressed his “deep concern” about the incident, deeming such actions by law enforcement “unacceptable.”

O’Brien participated in the protest, which was not registered with Berlin authorities, as a demonstration of solidarity for Palestinians amid ongoing conflict in Gaza. The rally took place in Mitte, a central district of Berlin, close to significant landmarks such as Alexanderplatz and the Reichstag. O’Brien’s actions were part of a larger movement advocating for justice and accountability in the wake of violence against journalists.

Roisín Clarke, a member of the Irish Bloc Berlin and one of the demonstrators present, described the atmosphere at the protest as chaotic and intense. She noted that police had been mobilized in advance, suggesting they were prepared for potential unrest. “A lot of police were around the city centre beforehand, checking if people coming out of the train stations were wearing keffiyehs,” she said. Clarke mentioned that demonstrators were split on either side of a street, and police grew increasingly aggressive as chants began.

Clarke also highlighted that incidents of police violence are not uncommon at such demonstrations, emphasizing that past targets have often included Arab youth and individuals wearing hijabs. On this occasion, she stated that police were equipped with riot gear, and the situation escalated quickly, leading to the violent confrontation with O’Brien.

In response to the events, a spokesperson for the Berlin Police confirmed that the police offences watchdog has been instructed to review the incident to determine if any aspects of police response were disproportionate or potentially criminal. The spokesperson further stated that O’Brien allegedly refused to comply with police demands and made derogatory remarks towards officers, which they characterized as contributing to the tensions of the event.

Overall, the police reported that around 94 individuals faced freedom-restricting measures during the demonstration, resulting in 96 criminal investigations. Most of those detained were released shortly after their identities were established. As investigations continue into both O’Brien’s alleged offenses and the police response, the situation remains a focal point of discussion surrounding police conduct and the rights of protesters in Germany.