asked the Minister for Justice what the reason was for the decision by the Garda authorities to prevent Afro-Asian residents in Dublin from walking to the Belgian Embassy to present a protest in relation to the murder of Mr. Lumumba, the elected premier of the Congo.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Afro-Asian Protest March.
52.
The decision to prevent those demonstrators from marching to the Belgian Embassy was taken by the officer in charge of the Garda Síochána on the spot, in exercise of his right and duty to take such action as he deemed necessary for the preservation of the peace and of law and order.
While the decision was one for him— as it necessarily must be in such a case —I may say that I have no hesitation whatsoever in expressing my conviction that he was entirely justified and that, had he permitted the demonstrators to march to the Belgian Embassy, and had damage to person or property resulted, he would have left himself open to severe censure, all the more so since the demonstration had already by that time become disorderly, as the newspaper reports clearly show, despite the efforts of some of its members to restore order and to adhere to what had originally been the declared intention of a peaceful demonstration.
Is it not a fact that this demonstration passed through many of the main streets of the city and had not behaved in a disorderly way? It was a peaceful protest. Is it not further a fact that members of the Garda were responsible for kicking a number of the delegation while they were on the ground and that, at least, one of the delegation was hit in the face by a member of the Garda? While I accept that disorderly scenes should not be permitted, does the Minister not agree that the right to assemble and protest should be preserved in Ireland if we are to maintain the essential fibre of democratic practices in this regard? Is it not a fact that the Gardaí provoked any sort of conflict that may have taken place, that it was they who were responsible for it? Has the Minister no reply? He is shielding the Gardaí. It is unworthy of the Minister.
There is a second reply I have to give the Deputy and, at least, he ought to try to remain calm.
53.
asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware that members of the Gardaí kicked while on the ground and beat with their fists members of a peaceful protest demonstration composed of Afro-Asian students in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I am not so aware. I am informed by the Commissioner, Garda Síochána, that, as has been reported in at least two of the daily newspapers, one of the demonstrators lay on the public highway and refused to move even though he was obstructing traffic and that finally the Garda Síochána had to remove him forcibly.
The Garda Síochána, of course, have not only a right but a duty to use such force as may reasonably be necessary in such circumstances.
Within the last two days, I received a complaint from the Afro-Asian Association of an incident in which one of their members was alleged to have been assaulted by the Garda Síochána in an alley off Lower Mount Street. The same complaint has been made by them in a letter published in yesterday's newspapers. Investigations so far do not suggest that there is any foundation whatsoever for this complaint but those concerned are being given an opportunity of substantiating it.
You should see his cut lip and his smashed nose.
If the Deputy has any influence with these people, he ought to use it to suggest to them not to hold these demonstrations. The relations between these people and the Irish people have been good, but I do not think incidents of this kind will help that situation to continue.
Is it not a fact that these people have as much right to hold a peaceful protest march as our own people have? Are there not many instances of our people holding marches of this kind in Great Britain, America and other countries and not being beaten up by the police for doing so?
Were they peaceful when they used the methods they used the other day, such as lying on the road and shouting epithets at the police, and so on?
Five thousand people did it outside the Belgian Embassy in Great Britain and nobody was arrested. One person is not going to stop the traffic in Dublin. Let the Minister not be absurd and let him tell the Commissioner not to be absurd. The Superintendent panicked —he lost his head.