Dublin Corporation throws out O'Connell St protest restrictions

A plan to ban demonstrations at the GPO on Dublin's O'Connell St has been rejected by the Corporation.

Councillors voted by 21 votes to four to throw out proposed new by-laws that would ban protests over two hours long and require any gathering of over 50 people to place a damage deposit of £2,000 pounds.

Crowds of over 300 would need an insurance demnity bond of £3m.

Councillors expressed disappointment at the proposals and also at the way they were released for public debate before discussion in the council chambers.

City manager John Fitzgerald said the matter is now over and alternative ways of controlling disruption will be examined.