Seven gardaí will face charges in relation to assault arising from the May Day "Reclaim the Streets" protest.
The anti-globalisation demonstration took place on May 6th last in Dublin and resulted in disturbances and clashes between demonstrators and gardaí in the city-centre streets.
All of the seven gardaí facing charges are serving members in the Dublin metropolitan region. They have been confined to indoor duties pending the outcome of the proceedings.
In a statement last night, the Garda Press Office said that an investigation had been overseen by Assistant Commissioner Mr Tony Hickey into the circumstances surrounding the disturbances during the protest.
Following this investigation, directions had been received from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions that seven gardaí are to face charges in relation to assault, the statement said.
The criminal proceedings commenced in these cases on Monday, November 4th last, it said.
A spokesman said last night that summonses would have to be issued stating when the seven gardaí would be due to appear in court.
He said it was probable that they would receive the summonses within the next few days.
He did not know when the cases would be likely to come to court. It could be several months. The seven gardaí would not be named at this stage.
Approximately 400 people initially took part in the "Reclaim the Streets" rally in Dublin.
The anti-globalisation demonstration moved at 2 p.m. from the GPO in O'Connell Street to Burgh Quay, where it blocked off traffic.
The group then moved on to Dame Street, where there were clashes between protesters and gardaí.
Some 250 demonstrators remained in Dame Street during the clashes and for some time afterwards. There was a large Garda presence. Twenty-four people were arrested during the rally.
Following the demonstration, the then Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue, ordered a full report into the circumstances of the disturbances.