'The gardaí are concerned': Justice Department had anticipated RIC event ‘sensitivities’

Another message sent to them said: “It is … trending on Twitter and the comments are not exactly favourable! Just type in ‘Black and Tans’ in the search box and you’ll see what I mean.”

The Department of Justice knew there were likely to be major “sensitivities” around their plan for a commemoration for the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) and Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) months before the event was made public.

As controversy grew last month, security fears emerged with the Office of Public Works (OPW) — which manages Dublin Castle where the event was due to take place — saying there would need to be “significant assistance” from the gardaí.