Pigs on trial!!!

national | miscellaneous | news report Tuesday November 05, 2002 19:23 by MG

Seven Gardai are to face criminal charges in connection with last May's attack on Reclaim the Streets protestors on Dublin's Dame Street. The seven officers, who are all facing assault charges, are serving members in the Dublin Metropolitan District. They have all been confined to desk duty pending the outcome of criminal proceedings.

Several unarmed protestors needed hospital treatment following the garda attack on the Reclaim the Streets demonstration on May 6th last.

Several protestors were also charged with "public order offences", but no Gardai were injured during the peaceful demonstration.

Shortly after the event, video-footage broadcast through the mainstream media showed officers with the identification numbers removed beating protestors with their batons.

All of these protestors were defenceless, with many lying on the ground or cornered at the time of the assaults.

Just one garda was initially confined to desk duty after he was clearly seen battering young men and women with his baton.

The Gardai subsequently launched an internal investigation after more than 50 people made complaints about the conduct of officers on the day in question.

That investigation has now, after six months, led to charges being brought against seven Gardai.