Civil liberties group asks gardaí to remember duties

The Irish Council for Civil Liberties is reportedly planning to send a letter to the Garda Commissioner reminding him that the gardaí are legally obliged to allow and protect peaceful protests at this weekend’s EU summit in Dublin.

Reports this morning said the ICCL was worried about the scale of the security measures being implemented ahead of the summit.

It has also expressed concern that scare stories about violent anarchist protestors were designed to soften up public opinion ahead of a potential confrontation with anti-EU demonstrators.

Thousands are expected to take part in the planned protests this Saturday but they are being prevented from entering the Phoenix Park, where EU heads of state will be attending a number of functions.