Republican News · Thursday 9 May 2002

Vicious attack on young demonstrators

One of the themes for politicians and the media in the election campaign has been the political apathy of young voters. This made it all the more ironic on Monday when young people who have been motivated to become involved in peaceful political struggle were viciously batoned off the streets of Dublin City by gardaí.

The protest was organised by Reclaim the Streets, an anti-capitalist group that aims to return privatised space into the public arena. Witnesses agree that the demonstration, involving around 1,000 mainly young people, was noisy but a festive atmosphere prevailed in what was billed as a street party.

A sit-down protest on Dame Street as the day's events were coming to a close resulted in an unprovoked baton attack by gardaí, who were caught on camera batoning protestors and bystanders alike. At least one garda was photographed not wearing his identifying numbers as he flailed all around him.

This incident was unique in that it took place in the city centre in view of video camera operators and photographers. Bertie Ahern initially tried to ignore the reports of Garda brutality and brush off the issue, but the sheer weight of visual evidence available to the media soon had everyone from the taoiseach to the Garda Commissioner beating a retreat, promising inquiries.

This result at least marks a victory for the Indymedia collective in Ireland. Their website, an example of the power of the Internet in helping to mobilise political activists, features eyewitness accounts and photos of the Garda attack (www.indymedia.ie).

This is not enough, however. Sinn Féin candidate Mary Lou McDonald called on Justice Minister John O'Donoghue to note Sinn Féin's proposals for real accountability of the Gardaí. "The assaults on protesters by Gardaí in Dublin this week are only the latest example of why we need a Garda Ombudsman," she said.