On August 28, 2025, an Irish protester, Kitty O’Brien, was hospitalized after being punched by German police during a pro-Palestine demonstration in Berlin, prompting diplomatic concerns from Irish officials.
What Happened
Kitty O’Brien, a Dublin native and member of Irish Bloc Berlin, was protesting the killing of journalists in Gaza on Rosenthaler Straße when the incident occurred. Video footage shows a police officer striking O’Brien twice in the face, causing a bloodied nose and suspected arm fracture. O’Brien was arrested and taken to Berlin’s Charité hospital for treatment, undergoing surgery for the arm injury. The protest, described as unregistered “civil disobedience,” saw police deploy hundreds of officers to disperse the crowd, with 96 criminal investigations initiated for verbal aggression and resistance.
Reasons Cited
Berlin police stated that officers used “selected targeted strikes” to overcome resistance after O’Brien allegedly insulted them and refused repeated orders to leave. The protest was part of a broader call to “flood the streets” against Israeli actions in Gaza, escalating tensions with authorities. Irish Bloc Berlin reported O’Brien was targeted previously for pro-Palestine activism, including an incident involving the Irish language.
Expert and Official Responses
The Irish Ambassador to Germany, Maeve Collins, conveyed concern to German authorities, with the Department of Foreign Affairs offering consular assistance. Taoiseach Micheál Martin called the assault “unacceptable.” Polizei Berlin referred the incident to its watchdog to investigate potential disproportionate force. Social Democrats Senator Patricia Stephenson condemned the “brutal treatment,” urging Tánaiste Simon Harris to address it with the German ambassador. The Irish Palestine Solidarity Campaign labeled the police actions “indefensible,” citing a pattern of violence against pro-Palestine protesters.
Context
The demonstration, held in Berlin’s Mitte district, was one of several pro-Palestine protests facing police intervention in Germany. Berlin police reported “verbal aggression” and “illegal slogans” at the event. Irish officials have previously raised concerns about restrictions on pro-Palestine activism in Berlin, including bans on Irish language use at protests.
Sources
- Irish Examiner, August 30, 2025, on the incident and Irish diplomatic response.
- The Irish Times, August 30, 2025, on video evidence and protest details.
- RTE.ie, August 30, 2025, on diplomatic actions.
- The Irish Independent, August 30, 2025, on ambassador’s concerns.
Follow for more international news updates!