Guards find a fall guy -One Garda Reassigned to Desk duties - Bertie fears voters - changes tune

national | miscellaneous | news report Wednesday May 08, 2002 19:59 by blisset

from Examiner breaking news

Garda 're-assigned' following protest incident 08/05/2002 - 7:17:44 PM http://breaking.tcm.ie/story.asp?j=34867928&p=34868634&n=34868688&x=ie

Garda 're-assigned' following protest incident
08/05/2002 - 7:17:44 PM

Gardai have confirmed a garda has been reassigned to desk duties after Monday’s clashes with anti-globalisation protestors in Dublin.

The reassigned person is understood to be an officer of garda rank from a North Dublin station.

It follows footage of Gardai, including one bearing no identification badge, violently batoning young demonstrators.

Earlier today the Garda Commissioner, Pat Byrne, also said he is concerned by the video footage of how his force handled Monday’s disturbances.

Assistant Commissioner Tony Hickey has been appointed to carry out an official report into the disturbances.

Despite calls from Labour and The Progressive Democrats for an independent examination, Commissioner Byrne says a thorough and professional investigation will be carried out.

The head of the force is also pledging that all aspects, both criminal and disciplinary, will be examined.

Commissioner Byrne is warning that no conclusions should be jumped to before the report is carried out however.

The Taoiseach says it is clearly evident from video footage that at least one garda was wielding a baton indiscriminately during Monday’s street protest.

He made the comments on the campaign trail in Laois today.

Mr Ahern held an impromptu press conference on the matter this afternoon.

He said it was up to the gardai to deal with the matter themselves and that it was never acceptable for the gardai to use unacceptable or excessive force.