Police encountered anti-lockdown protesters in Dublin this afternoon after a flare was tossed at officers.
Shocking video footage reveals a demonstrator marching straight towards the Gardia and tossing the weapon.
It triggered mayhem as authorities charged at the crowds utilizing batons in a quote to distribute them.
People can be heard yelling as skirmishes break out in the Irish capital’s city centre.
Police had earlier closed Stephen’s Green park in a quote to close down a demonstration prepared there for 2pm.
Witnesses state numerous protesters shouting ‘freedom’ then came down onto the city centre, with some tossing bottles at the Gardia, the Irish authorities.
The protesters are stated to have actually taken down barriers as stress increased. Some screamed ‘shame on you’ at authorities while others advised the protesters to remain tranquil.
A variety of individuals have actually been apprehended
The clash was streamed live by blog writer Fabu-D. and created reaction on social networks with lots of condemning the protesters’ actions.
Politician Neale Richmond stated the conspiracy theorists ‘bring shame to our capital’s streets’.
He stated: ‘From the start, this demonstration was inexpedient, sustained by conspiracy theories and promoted by people looking for to control the authentic worries of lots of susceptible people.
‘It was disgraceful to see this demonstration descend into violent scenes with brave members of An Garda Siochána subjected to excruciating physical and spoken abuse.
‘Some of the eye witness footage circulating is extremely disturbing and every public representative should condemn these awful scenes.’
Ireland’s Minister for Further and Higher Education likewise condemned the anti-lockdown demonstration.
Simon Harris tweeted: ‘Pure thuggery on the streets of Dublin today.
‘It’s not a ‘protest’. It’s an attack on our nationwide effort.
‘The abuse directed at the Gardai is sickening and disgraceful. Disgraceful.
‘Thoughts with the Gardai and their families.’
Protesters brought a banner requiring the ‘Right to Freedom’ and shouted to ‘end the lockdown’.
Gardaí stated they were running a ‘policing plan’ in Dublin city centre on Saturday afternoon.
‘A number of traffic diversions and other policing plans are currently in place. Those who are conducting their essential journeys may meet obstructions on their journey and will need to avail of diversions,’ authorities stated in a tweet.
Get in touch with our news group by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, inspect our news page.
Get your need-to-know
most current news, feel-good stories, analysis and more