Gardaí had no prior knowledge of possible rioting: Taoiseach

The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern told the Dáil this afternoon that the Gardaí had no prior knowledge that rioting would occur in O'Connell Street in Dublin on Saturday.

He said that what had happened in the city had brought shame to the country.

He was reacting to claims by the Fine Gael Leader Enda Kenny that Justice Minister Michael McDowell should take some responsibility for the trouble.

Mr Ahern said the violence had clearly been politically-motivated.