Senior officers have identified each of the three gardaí on trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on charges of beating a Reclaim the Streets protester in May 2002.
Insp Brendan Connolly also told the jury that after witnessing an incident in the College Green area he stepped between protesters and gardaí and ordered the gardaí to replace their drawn batons in their pockets.
Gardaí Ronan Judge and Thomas Victory of Store Street Garda Station, and Garda Paul Daly from Pearse Street Station have all denied assaulting Mr Rory McMonagle (23), of Neville Road, Rathgar, on May 6th, 2002.
Chief Supt Gerard Byrne and Supt Francis Clarke, of Store Street, pointed out gardaí Victory and Judge, on video film footage, to prosecuting counsel Mr John O'Kelly SC (with Mr Luan Ó Braonáin BL). Insps Daniel Quill and Connolly, of Pearse Street Station, pointed out Garda Daly in the film footage.
Chief Supt Byrne told defence counsel, Mr Patrick J. McCarthy SC (with Mr Breffni Gordon BL), that he knew gardaí Victory and Judge as they were members of his district force and added that both were excellent gardaí.
Supt Clarke told Mr McCarthy he identified Garda Judge in the film frame from the colour of his hair and the way he moved though he could only see the back of his head on the video.
The trial continues before Judge Yvonne Murphy.