People 1 Garda 0

Friday July 12, 2002 15:16

by blisset

How about mobile surveillance units in working class areas at the weekends

How about mobile surveillance units in working class areas at the weekends. This morning I heard a couple of addicts on the bus saying their friend was complaining about being beaten by police since 'after that dame street thing they won't get away with it anymore'. Two young Dublin women who claimed they were subjected to a vicious, unprovoked attack by two Gardaí have received an apology and damages in a High Court settlement. Gráinne and Ciara Walsh, both dress designers, from Castleknock in Dublin had sued the Garda Commissioner and the State over the incident which happened on Grafton Street in April 1998. In the statement today, the defendants said they regretted what had happened and acknowledged that the Walsh sisters are people of unblemished character. On the occasion in question, the sisters were with a group of friends on Grafton Street in Dublin when a white car reversed towards

Two young Dublin women who claimed they were subjected to a vicious, unprovoked attack by two Gardaí have received an apology and damages in a High Court settlement.

Gráinne and Ciara Walsh, both dress designers, from Castleknock in Dublin had sued the Garda Commissioner and the State over the incident which happened on Grafton Street in April 1998.

In the statement today, the defendants said they regretted what had happened and acknowledged that the Walsh sisters are people of unblemished character.

On the occasion in question, the sisters were with a group of friends on Grafton Street in Dublin when a white car reversed towards them at speed at around 1.00am.

Gráinne Walsh was in the path of the car and slapped her hands on the boot to alert the driver to their presence. She was not aware the car was an unmarked garda vehicle.

Ms Walsh claimed a Garda, who was aggressive and enraged, jumped from the car, grabbed her violently and pushed her towards a garda van. When she resisted she was handcuffed and forced onto the van floor.

Her sister Ciara intervened and was also pulled into the van. Gráinne Walsh claimed she suffered further assault when she was taken from the van to the garda station. Both women were held in a locked cell until they were released without charge.

They were later summonsed but the charges were dismissed by the District Court.

from rte.ie