Anti War movement in Ireland steps up a gear.

national | miscellaneous | news report Friday April 04, 2003 01:24 by IMC

The IAWM Dail blockade last night was the occasion for the first direct confrontation between protestors and Gardai in the Capital since the start of the second Gulf War.

The Public Order Unit moved in in an attempt to disperse the crowd . Using non violent resistance some protestors blockaded the front entrance to Dail Eireann in protest at our governments involvement in the War on Iraq. Ugly scenes followed, including the hospitalisation of two protestors . The protest finished when the Public Order Unit retreated following negotiations with IAWM leaders and left wing TDs . Fr Iggy, a long standing peace activist, condemned the protestors behaviour on RTE Radio 1 , while The Minister for Justice defended the Police tactics . Images of Socialist TD Joe Higgins being manhandled by Gardaí were transmitted on RTE and featured in many newspspers.

Meanwhile former Army Commander Edward horgan today began his high court appeal against the governments continued policy of allowing US military use of Irish facilities, most notably Shannon Airport . The challenge argues that this policy is a breach of the Irish constitution , and the case is being followed closely by the mainstream media .

Video from the Protest 1, 2, 3 Audio 1 Pictures. 1, 2