A group of 12 May Day protesters arrested following violent clashes with gardaí during EU expansion celebrations in Dublin were remanded in custody today.

A LARGE number of protesters will today attend court to show solidarity with activists charged in connection with clashes near the Phoenix Park last Saturday.

AN empty pint bottle of cider was hurled from the crowd and struck a female garda. Seconds later the riot squad was moved to the front line.

THE day had gone off largely without incident right up to the violent clashes at Phoenix Park.

GARDAÍ and anti-globalisation groups last night blamed each other for the violent clashes which broke out in Dublin, marring the celebrations marking the historic accession of 10 countries to the EU.

The Garda response to yesterday’s Mayday protests outside the Phoenix Park is being criticised as mismanaged and unnecessary.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern today praised the garda handling of a riot which marred the EU enlargement celebrations in Dublin as it emerged two Britons, an American and a Swiss national were arrested.

CompiledThere are two separate, and broad, protest groups organising events over the weekend.

TENSIONS were running high last night ahead of today's May Day marches, following mounting claims by protesters of garda harassment.

Protesters against EU policies vowed today they will not be intimidated off the streets of Dublin this weekend by threats of riot squads and armed guardian.

UP TO 3,000 frontline gardaí fear they won’t be properly protected if rioters attack them at this weekend’s May Day events.

THREE British citizens appeared before Dublin District Court yesterday after being arrested by gardaí organising security for the May Day celebrations.

The Government is “putting the gun back into Irish politics” by deploying armed gardaí and soldiers to deal with May Day protests, according to protest organisers.

MAY DAY protestors planning to take to the streets to oppose European Union expansion have expressed concern at reports that gardaí policing demonstrations will be armed and that water cannons will be kept on standby.