Gardaí out in force as protesters outnumbered
About 850 officers were on duty near Leinster House as several streets approaching the complex were blocked off for most of the day.
The dog unit, riot squad, and other specialist sections of the force were deployed as senior officers prepared for an expected major demonstration that never materialised.
By nightfall, only a small group had gathered in front of the Dáil to protest against the €2.5bn package of cuts and tax hikes being announced by Finance Minister Michael Noonan and Public Expenditure Reform Minister Brendan Howlin inside the Oireachtas.
A larger gathering of about 50 demonstrators gathered opposite Government Buildings, but were heavily outnumbered by gardaí, including mounted officers.
The gardaí turned out in force after disturbances last month on the first day of the resumption of the Dáil.
Clashes then saw the use of pepper spray as demonstrators tried to break through garda lines.
Budget day saw a ring of metal fences placed in front of the Dáil to try to deter any attempt to rush the building.
However, in the end, garda numbers heavily outweighed those of protesters.
By 8pm, officers had reopened the roads as the numbers of protesters diminished further.
Referring to the large number of gardaí outside Leinster House compared to the low turnout of demonstrators, one protester commented: “We’ve just been told we can be seen from space for the first time with all the hi-vis jackets.”
Previous anti-austerity demonstrations at the Dáil have attracted thousands of protesters from various political, trade union and civil groupings.
One of the biggest protests in recent years was sparked by the first austerity budget in Oct 2008 which sparked an eruption of “grey rage” as pensioners took to the streets to complain about medical card restrictions”.
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