Tánaiste brands Dáil protest as a disgraceful attack on democratic freedom

Tánaiste Joan Burton has described last night’s protest outside the Dáil as "disgraceful" and an attack on democratic freedom.

Tánaiste brands Dáil protest as a disgraceful attack on democratic freedom

By David Raleigh

Tánaiste Joan Burton has described last night’s

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The protest organised by several anti-austerity groups on Kildare Street descended into chaos leaving one Garda hospitalised.

Two Labour Party Senators - Denis Landy and Mary Moran - abandoned their cars when the protestors sat on the street and refused to let them leave the area.

Former Justice Minister Alan Shatter's car was surrounded by a number of protesters and another member of parliament was unable to leave to attend a prior arranged medical appointment.

“The notion that a small group of people would seek to prevent access or exit from our national parliament, to be honest, it's is a bit of a disgrace in democratic terms, and it simply undermines the democratic freedoms of everybody," the Tánaiste said speaking in Limerick tonight.

“But it's also shameful in the context of picking on particular individuals, as happened last night, and it should not be happening outside the national parliament."

“It's really a bit of old fashioned very bad behaviour," Burton added.

She said: "Let's be very clear, in this country we value the right to protest, and it's something that we cherish - and that is people's right. But, to be honest, it has to be balanced by concern for other people who also have rights.”

“The scenes that we saw last night outside our national parliament, by a small group of people, which included attempts to keep two Senators locked into their cars - one of whom was accompanied by a staff member who was very, very upset. I don't think we need that in Ireland.”

“I think these people represent a very small group of people,” she added.

Anti austerity councillor, Michael O'Brien, who is also a leading member of the 'We won't pay' campaign, described the violence which marred yesterday's protest as “indefensible”.

Alan Shatter said some of those who were involved in violence had engaged in “fascist thuggery”.

He told the Pat Kenny Show on Newstalk that four gardaí did not intervene when the demonstrators surrounded his car outside the gates of Leinster House.

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