Doireann Ansbro

While condemning “all use of violence at protests”, the civil liberties group said peaceful protesters still have a right to protest and called on Justice Minister Helen McEntee to publish guidelines to protect both the public and gardaí.

Doireann Ansbro, head of legal and policy for ICCL, said: “Saturday’s events have shown exactly why guidelines for safe and legal protest are needed.

“They could advise on the size of protests, social distancing and face coverings. This would protect people who wish to protest peacefully and safely, and it may also protect gardaí from those who intend to do neither.”

In the letter to Ms McEntee, ICCL executive director Liam Herrick writes: “We accept that the highly contagious nature of Covid-19 requires steps to be taken to limit public interaction. However, ICCL strongly believes that some form of protest must be allowed during this period.

“At the very heart of democracy is the right to voice concerns, alternative views and dissent. This right takes on an even more fundamental importance when we consider the significant impact of public health restrictions on lives and livelihoods across Ireland.”

He adds: “ICCL believes that, in line with the importance of the right to peaceful protest, the emergency health regulations should prescribe that participation in an industrial strike or peaceful protest is a ‘reasonable excuse’ for movement outside the home.

“We suggest that such recognition should be accompanied by guidelines as to how peaceful protests might be safely conducted during periods of public health restrictions.”