Helen McEntee plans balaclava ban to crack down on face masks at protests

https://m.independent.ie/irish-news/helen-mcentee-plans-balaclava-ban-to-crack-down-on-face-masks-at-protests/a418087370.html

Posted by Educational-Pay4112

33 Comments

  1. Nickthegreek28 on

    Because the people burning buildings and abusing Gardai give a fuck what Helen MCEntee thinks.

    There is no control around these protesters and they will be emboldened by their skobie friends in the UK.

    This situation is going to get worse

  2. WellWellWell2021 on

    Prisons Helen, Prisons.
    There needs to be a real threat of getting caught AND getting punished.

  3. Prestigious_Talk6652 on

    Often thought I’d love a balaclava when cycling in the winter.

    Not sure the lads starting fires and pegging rocks at Guards will be bothered about Helen’s ban though.

  4. Positive_Library_321 on

    I feel like if someone wants to walk around anonymously in public, by wearing a balaclava if they so wish, then they should be allowed to.

    People should be able to engage in protests, which while unpopular are totally legal, and still be allowed to reasonably protect their identity so as to not be targeted or harassed outside of that.

    Just make it an aggravating factor to commit crimes *while* trying to conceal your identify and then the biggest issue is already dealt with, while protecting regular joes.

  5. I mean, she has a point.

    A law like this exists in France since 2010 and they had no riots after that….right?Right? RIGHT?

  6. So are they going to ask can they calmly walk through the crowds of thugs throwing rocks and smashing cars just to arrest the two guys in the back wearing balaclavas?

  7. Illustrious_Dog_4667 on

    Fucking gobshiite. They’ll make balaclavas. I wear a cloth one under my bike helmet. What will I use? A pair of her knickers?
    Sweet jesus why doesn’t she do her job?

  8. Just be more assertive. Bring the full capabilities of the gards on these scumbags like we did the English fans after they tore up Lansdowne road. Clear the gang off the streets until everyone is home or jail. It’s not like they have a job to go to anyway. 

  9. The riots are the symptom, not the problem.

    You do not solve the latter by legislating against the former.

  10. Additional_Olive3318 on

    As someone points out below, this is pointless without enforcement and I bet a lot of protestors are walking around with multiple previous. We need better policing, and higher sentencing for all crimes.

  11. curious_george1978 on

    Reminds me of the time Michael Noonan proposed banning hoodies from shopping centres to prevent shoplifting back in 2005.

  12. sureyouknowurself on

    Wouldn’t it be great if for once the state didn’t take away more rights and maybe just maybe arrested rioters.

    If you attend an anti Israel protest you won’t be able to cover your face anymore?

  13. At this rate we will be trying to nab them for not using the deposit return scheme properly. Build a fucking prison.

  14. EireOfTheNorth on

    They’ll just use a face mask and claim health reasons then. With a beanie pulled down or a hood pulled up so you’re just seeing their eyes. I’m not even out of bed yet and thought of a way around that stupid plan. Why are these fools in office?

  15. Augustus_Chavismo on

    Most useless person in government. It’s also illegal to assault people yet as we’ve seen laws need to be enforced with policing and adequate punishments.

  16. folldollicle on

    “Can I offer you a paper thin solution to our problems in this trying time?”

  17. North_Activity_5980 on

    One of the most useless people we’ve ever had in government. She though of this sat on the couch Saturday night, clapped her hands and said “ I’ve got it”

  18. One_Turnip7013 on

    How about Canada goose jackets ?
    Surely you just wear a snood and a baseball cap,or heaven forbid a mask because you have COVID and don’t want to spread it.
    Here is an idea put 200 lads in army on standby and next time there is a riot let them support guards,break a few heads arms and knees on these troglodytes and they would soon get the message.

  19. What about the medical masks they forced us to wear how do you plan on banning them yea numpty cunt