Organisers defend ‘less-lethal’ weapons conference in Dublin

The organisers of a so-called "less-lethal" weapons conference in Dublin have defended the event against criticism from peace activists and other campaigners.

A number of groups mounted protests at the beginning of the two-day conference at the Berkeley Court Hotel last night.

The demonstrators said so-called "less-lethal" weapons like stun-guns and firearms that discharge bean-bags instead of bullets have been used as tools of torture and have caused hundreds of deaths worldwide.

However, conference co-ordinator Mick McBride claimed that the weapons on show in Dublin were non-lethal and that the dangers associated with their misuse were being highlighted.