City centre protest proves peaceful

An anti-globalisation protest in Dublin city centre passed off peacefully yesterday

An anti-globalisation protest in Dublin city centre passed off peacefully yesterday. Hundreds of people gathered at the junction of Gardiner Street and Talbot Street, where they danced to music and waved flags and banners. Carl O'Brien and Conor Lally report.

The event disrupted some city-centre traffic for several hours.

Gardaí, who were present in large numbers, kept a distance away from the event.

No arrests had been made up to late lastnight, according to a Garda spokesman.

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A May Day protest organised by the same group two years ago was marked by violent demonstrations and allegations of Garda brutality.

Meanwhile, more than 20 protesters charged with public order offences relating to disturbances outside the Phoenix Park at the weekend are due to appear in court again tomorrow.

Almost all the protesters were remanded in custody at Cloverhill Prison. Four women were remanded to Mountjoy.

While most of the protesters were charged with breach of the peace and failure to comply with the directions of gardaí, one was accused of stealing a Garda cap.

One of the groups behind Saturday evening's protest, the Dublin Grassroots Network, yesterday claimed injured protesters were denied entry to the Mater Hospital by gardaí.

They said a number of protesters received serious injuries including two broken legs, a broken arm, a broken wrist and a number of cuts and head injuries. The claims were rejected by gardaí.

Meanwhile, at yesterday's gathering, billed as a "street party for a better future", hundreds joined in the carnival atmosphere of dancing and music which drew the weekend's protests to a close.

A Reclaim the Streets organiser said: "This is just about having a party. All the State wanted was for people to stay at home and watch things on TV."