Group talks to gardaí about protest
One of the groups organising a demonstration to coincide with next weekend’s EU summit in Dublin has met with gardaí to demand the right to protest without interference.
The Another Europe is Possible group is planning a march from Dublin city centre to a meeting of EU leaders in the Phoenix Park on May 1, but gardaí are planning to prevent them from entering the park.
The group said it informed gardaí of the plans more than a month ago and should be allowed to hold a carnival in the park as planned.
Speaking after today’s talks, Another Europe is Possible said it was disappointed that it had failed to reach agreement with gardaí about the march, which it guaranteed would be peaceful.
It also expressed disappointment that gardaí had refused to say under what circumstances they would deploy water cannons or armed officers against the protestors.
Another Europe is Possible said it planned to write a letter to the Garda Commissioner urging him to overturn the decision to seal off the entire Phoenix Park while the leaders of the EU member states are having their banquet in Farmleigh House.
