An angry and out of control young man, described as an Irish man violently attacked and kicked a member of staff and lashing out and kicking two police officers in an unprovoked attack at Lisbon Airport. He was eventually subdued and arrested and spent the night cooling off in a PSP holding cell at Lisbon airport. Because of numerous witnesses and clear video evidence the vicious attacks cannot be described as ‘alleged’. Video of the attack has been shared widely forcing the media to take notice. In the video the tall black man described as Irish is seen kicking an airport ground-handling crew member forcefully in the chest from where he went on a violent rampage kicking and beating a member of the PSP police force a member of staff and two police officers. There is no indication of what part of Ireland he allegedly came from and his name has not been released.
Mystery “Irish Man”
What triggered these attacks remains a mystery as they appear to be unprovoked. The 26-year-old mystery Irish man will be brought before a judge for initial questioning.
Portuguese authorities are taking this incident and it has already brought condemnation from the Ministry of Interior Administration, which said the Irishman deserves the state’s ‘firm repudiation.’
PSP union president Bruno Pereira told SIC Notícias that throughout Europe there has been increased violence directed towards police generally, making the profession “increasingly difficult” and “risky”.
Deeply Disturbing Images
Pereira said that both policemen who were attacked and injured in the violence were treated and discharged from hospital. One will remain off work while his injuries heal. The worst of this incident is the fact that it is not ‘isolated’: “The images are deeply disturbing, but they are not unprecedented. In reply to press queries about the attacks, minister for interior administration Luís Neves said that two security guards at the airport had also been targeted by the man who appeared to have no luggage. It is not clear whether he was flying in or out or was he there for some other purpose. This shameful behaviour is not typical of Irish tourists