Garda bosses face inquiry over how they handled riots
The HSA probe comes on foot of an official complaint from the Garda Representative Association (GRA) that management may not have carried out a risk assessment for the Love Ulster Parade.
Last night a HSA spokesman confirmed it had received a GRA complaint on the apparent lack of a safety statement "We are going to examine that complaint, ask garda authorities to show us the safety statement and examine it," he said.
Following that initial examination the HSA will decide if a full-scale investigation is required.
GRA president Dermot O'Donnell questioned how garda management had failed to take account of the risks to rank and file gardaí.
"What our members have told me those that were injured, in hospital and others that I've met that were on duty on the day the common thread running through what all of they had to say is there simply were not enough gardaí on the streets," he said.
A garda report which Justice Minister Michael McDowell will bring to Cabinet today reveals that garda intelligence had indicated the possibility of violence during the Love Ulster rally, but never anticipated the "level and intensity of violence" that occurred.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is said to be more determined than ever to proceed with the Government's planned 1916 military commemoration, despite concerns of further trouble.
His spokesperson said: "He is determined that the people responsible for Saturday do not get in the way of what is an important event for the people of Ireland.
An army spokesman said tight security had been envisaged for the 1916 parade.
Meanwhile, Tánaiste Mary Harney was last night accused of aggravating the tensions created by Saturday's riots by calling the Orange Order a bigoted, sectarian organisation.
Democratic Unionist MP Jeffrey Donaldson said her comments did "nothing to heal the wounds that have been created and deepened as a result of Saturday's situation".
A spokesman for the Orange Order said the Tánaiste had given violent thugs justification for their actions.
