Today there was supposed to be a peaceful protest by people who want to keep the North separate from the Republic. They came down from the North and were going to march to the legislature. They were protesting the treatment of victims of the IRA and that they want to stay separate from the Republic (at least this is what I have gleaned from the news as to the purpose of the protest). However, there were some ultra conservative people there that didn't want this protest to happen. So, before the marchers could get off the buses, the others (not entirely sure who they are as the news has reported different groups) started rushing the police who were there to keep things peaceful. They threw things at the police at first and some police got hurt. The civil unrest lasted about 3-4 hours from what I can tell.
The stores closed on the streets with the unrest, as well as those near it. The police also closed some other areas. Later in the riot, the violent people burned cars, broke into stores, looted, and got into fights.
There apparently was more unrest a little bit further south in the city centre but we missed that. After the people got pushed off O'Connell street, they started to go into Temple Bar and near my building.
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