Action of ‘thugs’ regretted

JUSTICE Minister Alan Shatter has called protesters who opposed the queen’s visit to Ireland “thugs” and said the actions of a few who threatened the state stopped tens of thousands of people getting close to events for the British royals.

The Fine Gael minister said that disruption on Tuesday night on Dublin city’s streets among a small group of protesters had caused “mayhem” with “thugs” targeting gardaí.

He told the Dáil: “The conduct of a small minority of individuals, in making threats against the state and a distinguished visitor and her husband, is regrettable.”