Byrne defends May Day gardai

Garda Commissioner Pat Byrne has strongly defended the Gardai who refused to identify colleagues who were video-taped attacking Reclaim the Streets protestors in Dublin last May.

Earlier this week, the Garda Complaints Board said not one of the 150 officers who policed the May 6 march would identify the gardai seen striking unarmed protestors with batons.

The board said at least seven Gardai who should have been charged with criminal offences will now escape punishment because of their colleagues' silence.

Speaking today, Commissioner Byrne appeared to contradict the complaints board by claiming that all members of the force had co-operated with the inquiry into the May Day assaults.

Seven gardai are already facing criminal charges in connection with the matter and Mr Byrne pointed out that these officers were charged by their fellow gardai.

Mr Byrne also said that officers would not ignore offences committed by their colleagues, despite the fact that this is exactly what the complaints board has accused them of doing.