Taxi-drivers who illegally disrupted traffic yesterday may be prosecuted, a Garda spokesman has warned.
Details of some number plates, taxi plates, and the names and addresses of drivers who caused obstruction yesterday were taken by gardai and they may be prosecuted, said a spokesman. All information from gardai around the city was correlated last night.
The Garda warned it would not stand idly by and let taxi-drivers break the law.
"We can't tolerate traffic disruptions the like of which we have seen today. We have to ensure individuals have the right of free passage," said Supt John Farrelly.
"While we understand this is an industrial relations problem, we must carry out our duty, and take whatever action is necessary to regulate the flow of traffic."
The Garda said the use of cars to obstruct public roads broke the law, contained in section 98 of the Road Traffic Act. A driver who is causing an obstruction can be arrested and summonsed before the courts.
The Garda also urged taxi-drivers to "act responsibly and to discontinue this type of action". Garda Commissioner Pat Byrne met senior officers last night to discuss the traffic disruption caused by protesting drivers.
During the protests, a taxi-driver was arrested in Dublin for allegedly assaulting a garda on Kildare Street at 7.30 a.m. The man was taken to Pearse Street garda station, where he was released without charge. A file has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue, said of the taxi-drivers in the Dail, "the disruption they are causing to their fellow citizens cannot be justified".
He said the Garda's response, however, was one for professional police judgment. "It is not something with which I would interfere or seek to direct," he said.
Early yesterday afternoon gardai said they were monitoring the situation, trying to prevent obstructions. Senior officers were negotiating with drivers, in an effort to peacefully free up roads.
A Garda spokesman yesterday said they "can't physically remove 3,000 cars". He also said Dublin Corporation was another element in the dispute.
Ms Eileen Brady, assistant principal officer, Office of the Director of Traffic in Dublin Corporation, said yesterday's events, which concerned public order, were being dealt with by the Garda. She said the corporation would respond to whatever requests the Garda made, but as of yesterday afternoon, they had not asked for anything.