Gardaí 'were unprepared for Dublin riot'

Justice Minister Michael McDowell today admitted An Garda Siochana had prepared for a low key peaceful unionist parade through Dublin city – not the hours of rioting instigated by republican counter-demonstrators.

As opposition parties questioned why gardai were not ready to deal with the hundreds of thugs who fought running battles with officers, the Minister said a preliminary report would be on his desk in the next 24 hours.