Vol. 564 No. 1
257 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to allegations by non-violent anti-war protesters demonstrating outside Leinster House on 20 March 2003 that they were subject to Garda brutality and that one protester was taken to hospital unconscious; if he has received complaints regarding the behaviour of the gardaí during the incident; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8705/03]
269 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if complaints were received regarding alleged assaults by gardaí on protesters outside Leinster House on 20 March 2003; and if so, the action which will be taken. [8823/03]
270 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has plans to investigate whether injuries received by a person outside Leinster House on 20 March 2003 were caused by members of the Garda. [8824/03]
271 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has plans to investigate whether protesters outside Leinster House on 20 March 2003 assaulted members of the Garda. [8825/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 257, 269, 270 and 271 together.
I am not aware of complaints about the behaviour of gardaí who were on duty outside this House during the anti-war demonstration on 20 March 2003. I am informed by the Garda authorities that during the protest, which lasted for most of the day on the 20th, a number of protesters staged a sit down protest outside the Kildare Street entrance to Leinster House by chaining themselves together. They were asked to discontinue their protest to allow vehicular access and egress to the House. The protesters refused and a decision was taken to physically remove them using minimum force. I am also informed by the Garda authorities that one person, who they believe was not involved in the protest, collapsed and was required to be taken to hospital for treatment. I understand he was discharged shortly after admission.
