Gardai in Dublin are issuing advice and information to the public in advance of a planned demonstration by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) in Dublin City Centre on Saturday 27th of November 2010.
A comprehensive policing plan has been put in place for the day in order to facilitate a peaceful march, keep people and traffic moving in the city centre to the greatest extent possible and ensure the safety of everyone involved. Gardai have been liaising with the organisers of Saturday's demonstration and have sought meetings with various groups who will be represented at the march in order to secure cooperation with the measures we are putting in place to maximise crowd safety and stewarding.
Chief Superintendent Michael O'Sullivan who will have overall charge of Saturday's policing operation said:
“Our priority on Saturday is to ensure that the people who travel to Dublin city centre to take part in the ICTU demonstration can do so safely and peacefully. In light of the large attendance expected, it is important that everyone observes instructions from the ICTU stewards and gardaí as the march moves along its route from Wood Quay to the GPO on O'Connell Street.
We are also very conscious that normal business will continue in the city centre on Saturday and we are working with the traders and city centre businesses to minimise disruption to their workers and customers. A traffic management plan has been put in place to notify people travelling into the city of road closures etc.”
Stressing that the core Garda objective on Saturday is to facilitate a peaceful protest, Chief Superintendent O’Sullivan said:
“We will maintain a highly visible presence along the route of the march both to assist the movement of the demonstration to its final destination at the GPO on O’Connell Street and to minimise disruption to workers, shoppers and other visitors to the city centre.
Recent experience has shown that while it is possible for thousands of people to assemble and march through the streets of Dublin in a dignified and civilised manner, there are individuals and groups who seek to exploit such events for their own ends. I want to reassure the community that Gardaí are both alert to and prepared for this possibility. While our policing plan is primarily focused on crowd safety, it will also aim to prevent any disruption of tomorrow’s demonstration. In addition we will gather evidence of any unlawful or criminal behaviour which might occur with the intention of bringing those responsible before the courts“
A Traffic management plan will be place and a number of traffic restrictions will be in place along the route including:
Memorial Road / Matt Talbot Bridge / Tara Street / Burgh Quay / O'Connell Street / Parliament Street / Wellington Quay/ Nicholas Street / Christchurch Area / Nassau Street / Dawson Street / South Georges Street / Dame Street / Fishamble Street.
Garda Press Office.
