Man spared jail over protest during queen’s visit

A Dublin man who threw rocks, glass bottles, and a bike at riot police and a riot van during Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to Ireland has been spared jail after a judge suspended his prison sentence.

Mark Griffin, aged 26, of North Strand Road, was part of a group of protesters that turned violent towards public order gardaí while the Queen and her husband Prince Philip were visiting the Garden of Remembrance in Parnell Square.

Missiles — including fireworks, general debris, and bottles — were thrown at gardaí. At one stage Griffin helped push a wheelie bin that had been set alight up against the line of shielded riot officers.