This is the shocking moment that a rowdy protester is put in the back of a Garda van outside Croke Park during the Muslim celebration of Eid Al Adha which is taking place there for the first time.
Originally, up to 500 people were expected to attend the 'Festival of Sacrifice' - which starts today and will continue until Monday - but delay of phases meant that only 200 people will now celebrate one of the most important events in the Muslim calendar in GAA HQ.
Croke Park, with a capacity of 82,300, was picked as venue of choice as it was felt to be appropriate to those who identify both as Irish and Muslim.
The decision to hold the event outdoors was also important to Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri, from the Irish Muslim Peace and Integration Council, who said the event needed to go ahead with social distancing in mind.
And while the peaceful Muslim celebration takes place on the famous green grass inside Croker, two sets of angry protesters have stolen the limelight outside the stadium.
Dublin Live understands that one group is protesting against Croke Park holding the Eid Al Adha celebration while the other group is protesting against that protest.
Footage seen by Dublin Live shows as many as six Gardai dealing with some of the aggressive mob.
The officers then are filmed escorting one protester into the back of a Garda van moments later.
Dublin Live has contacted Gardai for further comment about the incident.
The groups protesting against the event can be heard every so often roaring and booing by those attending the celebration inside in an attempt to try and disrupt their speeches.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri said the idea for the Croke Park gathering came after seeing muslims praying in a car park in Germany.
He said: "I got thinking Covid-19 is going to be with us for the next few months, if not longer, and social distancing is part of our lives... [I thought we] could do better than a car park."
He added: "So I thought which place is the most iconic and historic and symbolic venue. And of course it is Croke Park. It is GAA, it is Croke Park that is all engraved into Irish lives and Irishness and I thought what if we can pray in Croke Park?"
GAA President John Horan welcomed confirmation of the staging of the celebration earlier this month.
He said: “Normally Croke Park and our other stadia would be a hive of activity at this time of the year with the staging of games but we are living through a very different year.
“We are delighted to welcome members of the Muslim Community to Croke Park to mark Eid Al Adha, an important date in the Muslim calendar.
“I believe the staging of this celebration fully supports our commitment to inclusion and a GAA welcome linked to our belief that it’s ‘Where We All Belong’.
“I wish everyone involved in the occasion an enjoyable visit to Croke Park Stadium as it once again shows its suitability and versatility in welcoming visitors to the venue for a wide variety of different events.”
