Gardaí to face civil cases over May Day clashes

AT least seven civil cases are due before the courts against the gardaí for alleged assault arising out of the Reclaim the Streets clashes in May 2002.

A week after the acquittal of a fourth garda on criminal charges of assaulting protestors at the march in Dublin, it has emerged that seven people - five male and two female - are suing the State for compensation for injuries they received after being allegedly assaulted by gardaí.

"Our clients maintain they were unlawfully assaulted and injured and some were wrongfully arrested and charged - their charges were subsequently dropped," said Padraig Ferry, of Ferry Solicitors, which is representing five claimants. "Our clients were lawfully there. They sustained injuries and there is more than enough evidence that these injuries were caused to them by An Garda Síochána."

He said his clients received "bruises, contusions and abrasions from batons, to the head and body in most cases".

Peter Mullen, of Garrett Sheehan & Co Solicitors, said they were representing a further two clients, one male and one female.

"We're claiming our clients sustained injuries as a result of garda actions on the day, and they are claiming for the injuries they suffered." He said the injuries were "significant enough", and included injuries to the head, requiring stitches.

Mr Mullen said he did not think the successive acquittals of individual gardaí for assault affected their case. "I don't believe the acquittals of the various individual guards will strengthen or weaken the case that we have at all. We believe we have a good case."

Mr Ferry also thought the criminal cases had no bearing on civil cases. "Our cases are not dependent on how well the State prosecutes these gardaí for their actions on the day."

He pointed out that in civil cases the claim only has to be proved on the balance of probabilities, not beyond all reasonable doubt, as in criminal cases.

He said they were awaiting further documentation, statements and video evidence from the State.

Mr Mullen said they were ready for trial and were awaiting a date, probably in spring or early summer.

Figures published this month by Justice Minister Michael McDowell showed there were 850 civil actions pending against An Garda Síochána, including 750 cases of alleged assault and unlawful arrest.