Labour TD condemns 'thuggish' behaviour of party-conference protesters

A Labour TD has branded protestors who broke through garda barriers outside the Labour Party annual conference at the weekend as "thugs".

A Labour TD has branded the behaviour of protesters who broke through garda barriers outside the Labour Party annual conference at the weekend as "thuggish".

The gathering in Galway was marred by clashes after people tried to remove the barriers preventing them from gaining access to the hall where the event was taking place.

At one stage, gardaí used pepper spray to restore order.

Labour TD Aodhan O'Riordan said the scenes were unacceptable.

"It was quite thuggish behaviour, to be honest with you," he said. "...What you don't do is break past barriers, push and shove (and) be confrontational and violent."