Please note: Either your browser does not comply with current Web Standards or it has been unable to load the stylesheet that accompanies this page. [Accessibility statement]

[Skip to navigation]

Scotsman.com
 
Sunday, 26th February 2006 Change Date

UK

Scotland on Sunday Sun 26 Feb 2006

Police hurt as parade sparks Dublin riots

CHRISTOPHER CLAIRE

SEVERAL police officers were injured yesterday as rioting erupted in central Dublin over a disputed unionist parade.

Hundreds of Republican demonstrators opposed to a Love Ulster rally involving Orangemen and relatives of IRA murder victims fought running battles with gardai.

Security lines were attacked with fireworks, rocks, bottles and metal barricades. At least four officers and a journalist were injured.

Cars were also set alight close to Leinster House, the Irish Parliament Buildings, amid heightening violence.

All shops in one of the city's main retail districts closed their doors as the trouble worsened and the parade through Dublin city centre was cancelled.

Up to 1,000 Unionists and campaigners who had travelled across the border to accuse the Irish authorities of providing a haven for terrorists during the Troubles were instead put on buses and driven to Leinster House where a short parade was held.

Meanwhile, a line of about 40 riot police blocked the entrance to O'Connell Street as hundreds of youths pelted them with rocks, bottles and sticks. The officers slowly moved in to disperse the rioting crowds.

Rubble and barricades from construction work on O'Connell Street were set on fire as riot police forced the crowd further into the city centre.

Republican slogans were chanted and around 20 protesters attempted to hold a sit-down protest in the middle of the street.

Gardai quickly moved in and prevented the youths from blocking the road.

At the front of the General Post Office, the headquarters of the 1916 Easter Rising, rioters charged police and fought hand-to-hand battles with around 100 officers.

Mounted police were also drafted in to prevent more protesters joining.

A stand-off between protesters and police ensued for about five to 15 minutes as officers attempted to disperse the crowds down side streets.

One fire engine called in to extinguish a blaze started by the demonstrators, was attacked as it made its way through the crowd.

Two gardai vans carrying dozens of extra officers were also pelted with rocks and bottles.

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, condemned those involved in the violence.

He said: "There is absolutely no excuse for the disgraceful scenes in Dublin today.

"It is the essence of Irish democracy and republicanism that people are allowed express their views freely and in a peaceful manner."

Related topic

This article: http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/uk.cfm?id=297232006

Last updated: 27-Feb-06 12:13 GMT

Delivery formats for "UK"
[more info]
  • XML feed of this page (RSS) RSS feed
  • Email Add to my email