De Rossa assaulted after Lisbon Treaty meeting

Labour Party MEP Proinsias De Rossa was assaulted in central Dublin after a political meeting on the Lisbon Treaty, it was claimed today.

The party said he was knocked to the ground and set upon by a group of men who were at the talk last night in the Liberty Hall.

Gardaí said they are carrying out inquiries into the alleged assault at around 10.30pm outside the landmark building on Eden Quay.

“We can confirm that we are investigating an incident that occurred outside the Liberty Hall,” a Garda spokesman said.

Eamon Gilmore, Labour Party leader, said Mr De Rossa suffered some cuts and was still shaken by the incident.

He said the men behind the alleged assault had spoken aggressively against the Treaty during the meeting with one shouting abuse at him through a loud-hailer.

“The group pursued Proinsias on the street. When he objected to being filmed by one of the group with a camcorder he was knocked to the ground and some of those involved sat on his back pinning him to the ground,” said Mr Gilmore.

“The Gardaí arrived and took statements from those involved. Proinsias suffered minor abrasions and is quite shaken by the assault.”

Mr Gilmore said they did not know the men involved or if they were members of any organisation.