Controversy over garda response to protest

THE Garda riot squad was yesterday accused of heavy-handed tactics in dispersing a sit-down protest outside the Dáil by anti-war protestors.

But the actions of the gardaí were backed by a range of people, led by Justice Minister Michael McDowell, who laid the blame firmly at the door of protestors.

Labour Party justice spokesman Joe Costello, Socialist Party TD Joe Higgins who was himself forcibly removed by gardaí and the Irish Council of Civil Liberties criticised the gardaí's handling of the situation