Labour seeks investigation into garda actions

The Labour Party has called for a speedy investigation into allegations of heavy-handedness by the Gardai during an anti-capitalist protest in Dublin yesterday.

Several people were hospitalised with head injuries after the Gardai baton-charged protestors in the Dame Street area who refused to move on after being ordered to do so.

Around 300 people attended the Reclaim the Streets protest. Twenty-four of them were arrested and 18 are due in court in the coming weeks on public order, criminal damage and assault charges.

Labour said it is concerned about how the Gardai handled the demonstration, adding that doubts about the necessity of the police actions reinforce its call for an independent garda ombudsman.

The Gardai have denied using heavy-handed tactics to disperse the protestors, despite claims by the public on radio this morning that several innocent bystanders were also struck with batons.

However, a spokesman said any complaints about the officers involved in the operation will be

investigated fully.

Justice Minister John O’Donoghue has ordered a report into the handling of the demonstration and said officers can be charged if found to have used unreasonable force.

Both the Green Party and Sinn Fein said they believe excessive force was used against a legitimate protest and politicians from all sides have expressed concern about accusations that the Gardai involved were not wearing identification numbers, which is a breach of regulations.