Taoiseach defends Garda handling of protesters

The Taoiseach and the Gardaí are defending the handling of last night's disturbances beside the Phoenix Park.

Twenty-nine people, most of them from the UK, were arrested after the riots broke out on the Navan Road in Dublin, close to the park's Ashtown gate.

A live shotgun cartridge was found amongst the debris and is undergoing a technical examination.

The violence began shortly before 9pm when a march from the city centre was stopped by gardaí at the Halfway House roundabout.

A small group at the front of the 2,000 strong crowd breached the garda security line and the force deployed its water cannons.

A female garda was taken to Blanchardstown hospital after she suffered minor head injuries.

The Taoiseach said last night he was disappointed with the disturbances and he commended the Gardaí on their handling of the rioters.

Superintendent John Farrelly says the Gardaí had few problems with most of the protestors.