Gardai accused of brutality

Gardai faced allegations of brutality today after 24 anti-capitalism protesters were arrested in Dublin last night.

Witnesses reported seeing officers lashing out with batons at protesters who were blocking a road in the city centre.

Thirteen people are set to face court on assault, criminal damage and public order offences in coming weeks.

Twelve demonstrators were taken to hospital but no police officers were injured.

About 300 protesters began the march at the General Post Office on O’Connell Street, in central Dublin, and were dispersed by police when they later blocked the south bank of the River Liffey.

Traffic was stopped for 10 minutes as the Reclaim the Streets march by a loose network of political and environmental campaigners was broken up.

Witnesses were reported as saying that some officers were not displaying their shoulder numbers.

Gardai were not immediately available for comment

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