Minutes of MayDay meeting between business people and Guardians of the Peace (sic)

national | summit mobilisations | news report

Thursday April 29, 2004 14:05

by thestreetsarecomingalive

Points raised at a special meeting held in Store Street Garda Station through the Dublin City Centre Businessman’s Association

Mayday Security

The following are notes of points raised at a special meeting held in Store Street Garda Station through the Dublin City Centre Businessman’s Association on Friday 23rd April 2004, at which Assistant Commissioner, Inspector and Crime Prevention Officer gave their updated views of what is happening in relation to this weekend, and what could happen.

General

• London Mayday demonstration has been cancelled and people have been advised to travel to Dublin

• The Gardai believe the main focus is likely to be the Phoenix Park

• Part of Cloverhill Centre will be made available for any people who may need to be secured as a result of disturbances

• Two judges will be available all over the period to move things through the court system

• Two water cannons have been obtained

• The 1,000 member Public Order Unit is on stand by

• More Gardai will be on duty from 26th April

• All points of entry to the country are being checked more actively

• Ship Captains will be in regular contact with Gardai in the event of any suspicious passengers being noted

• The Gardai will be making considerable use of cameras, both on street and hand-held cameras

The following is the agenda for the weekend and the items marked with an asterix are those which the Gardai are not in discussions with the organisers of the event on and therefore do not have full information and these are the areas of concern for the Gardai.

Friday, 30th April 04

- Mass Cycle Demonstration from Garden of Remembrance 6pm – likely traffic disruption
- Fireworks display in Sandymount 10pm – expecting approximately 40,000 people

Saturday, 1st May 04

- Conference in Dublin Centre and roads in the area will be closed to traffic and pedestrians
- European Fair at Merrion Square – expecting 15,000 people commencing 12 noon
- *No Borders demonstration in Wood Quay between 10 – 12 – mainly street theatre
- Protest Demonstration, Dame Street – expecting 5-6 people, 12 noon
- *Reclaim the City, 2pm Grafton Street
- EU Accession Ceremony, Farmleigh 5pm
- *Bring the Noise Demonstration, Parkgate Street, 6pm

Sunday, 2nd May 04

- *No Borders Demonstration, Custom House Quay
- Street Carnival, Mountjoy Square, 11am – 11pm

Monday, 3rd May 04

- *Reclaim the Streets, commencing at the Ambassador Cinema

The following is advice received in relation to the crime prevention aspects:

• Appoint a security co-ordinator for each premises
• Have evacuation plan
• Review security drill
• Have marshalls appointed for searching each area

Retail

• Monitor all entrances and exit points
• Use CCTV cameras as far as possible
• Close doors in the event of a disturbance
• Ask patrons to remain in the store in the event of a disturbance
• Remove waste bins which could possibly be used as missiles
• Check toilet areas regularly

The following were areas of particular concern and should be noted:

• The Gardai believe and are concerned that the Wombles will attend this demonstration who have caused serious disruption before. They generally wear white overalls.
• Gardai suggest that security should be left in premises at night time, particularly retail in the event of an incendiary device
• Everybody should review their bomb threat procedures for telephone calls to ensure that as much information as possible is obtained
• The Gardai said that the IFSC requires special supervision and in this regard they have met the tenants in the IFSC