RTS- Media Beat Up continues in Irish Independent Article

national | miscellaneous | news report Friday September 20, 2002 16:40 by Eternal Vigilance - The Price of Democracy

media studies analysts please post yer critiques underneath

"it has emerged that film footage from the garda helicopter" 1984 Big Brother, "clashes between" suggests two equal forces, "The Irish Independent has learned" but not proved or published, "lack of response from organisers" apportion the blame for future blue block actions, "riot squad officers will be deployed" bodybags Strategy of Tension

Gardai gear up to ensure protests are trouble-free

GARDA chiefs will today finalise contingency plans to deal with any possible incidents during a planned protest by anti-globalisation activists in Dublin city centre on Sunday.

And as gardai gear up for the protests, it has emerged that film footage from the garda helicopter is also being examined as part of the investigation into last May's clashes between gardai and anti-globalisation protesters.

While it was reported yesterday that a file is nearing completion on the ugly scenes of last May, when officers were filmed using batons on protesters, senior garda sources said the investigation was still ongoing and a file would not be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions until October.

"The file has not been finalised yet," one senior officer said.

It is understood that the four-month internal investigation instituted after the scenes at the demonstration involving anti-car and anti-globalisation protesters is examining footage from the Garda Air Support Unit.

The Irish Independent has learned that this video clearly shows objects being thrown at gardai.

More than 300 gardai will be present on the streets of Dublin on Sunday due to a number of events taking place in the capital on that day.

As well as the anti-globalisation protests, it is also European Car Free Day, with a number of city centre streets closed off to facilitate this, as well as the All Ireland football final in Croke Park.

Up to 200 gardai normally police All Ireland Sunday, but it is understood that an extra 110 officers are being drafted in for the other events.

Senior garda sources told the Irish Independent that efforts to make contingency plans for Sunday's anti-globalisation protests were being hampered by the lack of response from organisers of the protest.

Contingency plans will be finalised this afternoon and the number of additional officers may be subject to change. It is understood that riot squad officers will be deployed, but a gardai spokesman said they would be keeping a low profile.

Kathy Donaghy