Open letter to Garda Commissioner and Minister for Justice

Dear Minister McDowell, Dear Commissioner Conroy,

In the wake of media scare stories surrounding security plans for Mayday, the Dublin Grassroots Network once again seeks clarification:

- Under what conditions will armed Gardai be allowed to shoot protestors?

- Under what conditions may "non-lethal" weaponry be used?

- Under what conditions may temporary detention centres be used?

- Under what conditions may protestors be baton-charged?

- Under what conditions may protestors be prevented from marching?

- Under what circumstances may overseas protestors be brought to Garda stations for ID checks?

Mr Holmes of the Garda Complaints Board is quoted in Tuesday's Irish Examiner as saying: "The protestors mustn't provoke gardai and they shouldn't try to be confrontational. If they are confrontational and they do provoke and there is a reaction, what can one do? If the protest is not peaceful, the guards not only have a right, but a duty, to respond if the people are not keeping the peace."

We would like an assurance that Mr Holmes' statement does not imply that the Gardai would respond to an isolated incident with force against the crowd but would instead remain calm.

We are also concerned at reports that Gardai do not feel that they have clear guidelines for the day as lack of clear leadership was the reason given for events of Mayday 2002.

We have so far not received assurances of a low-key security presence and protection of protestors and their democratic right to protest as requested by Ms Aisling Reidy of the Irish Civil Liberties Union in her letter to Garda Commissioner Mr. Noel Conroy as reported in Tuesday's Irish Examiner:

"I am asking that he ensure that all Gardai on duty know their job is as much to protect peaceful demonstrators as to keep public order".

She is also quoted as saying that security plans for the weekend are "over the top", "confrontational" and may serve to incite trouble rather than prevent it.

Mayday Events are aimed not at the gardai but at specific EU policies of privatisation, militarisation and "Fortress Europe" immigration restrictions.

We are "bringing the noise" to Farmleigh because it is the only way our representatives will hear us. Will they be able to hear us? How far away is the public to be kept?

We ask why the Gardai are being asked to "protect" EU leaders against their own citizens rather than providing guarantees of protestor safety.

The schedule of Mayday events is public (see http://struggle.ws/eufortress for details)

All events are peaceful and all are welcome.

We await your response,

Liz Curry Dublin Grassroots Network

Response to Open Letter the Garda Commissioner

P.A. 6.1

Ms. Liz Curry, Dublin Grassroots Network.

RE: POLICING OF 1ST _ 3RD MAY, 2004.

___________________________

Dear Ms. Curry.

I write in response to your e-mail of the 29th April, 2004.

As I am sure you will appreciate, the specific questions you pose in your e-mail relate to Garda operational matters which, as a matter of policy, it is not appropriate to comment upon.

However, in general terms I can confirm to you that the planning for the policing of 1st - 3rd May, 2004 has been ongoing for several months. An Garda Síochána, and the planning team in particular, are conscious of the right to peaceful assembly.

However, it is equally important to realise that with every right, comes certain obligations. While An Garda Síochána have endeavoured to make contact with, and keep open, lines of communication with the leaders of many of these protesting organisations, unfortunately many, have to say the least, been reticent in engaging in constructive dialogue.

The Policing Plan for Mayday events makes allowance for peaceful protest and, indeed, ensures that such protests are facilitated. An Garda Síochána has at all times facilitated peaceful protests, and will continue to do so.

Several thousand protest marches have been policed in Dublin City Centre over the past number of years and the vast majority of these have passed off without incident. With the full co-operation of protest organisers, we are confident that all parades scheduled for this weekend will pass off peacefully.

You will of course, be aware of the arrest of several persons in Leeson Street on the 27th April, 2004, and the seizure of property. Despite the good intentions of the vast majority of protestors, such arrests and seizures demonstrates the need for appropriate Garda planning, which should not be seen as provocative.

Ms. Reidy of the Irish Council for Civil Liberties did correspond with me on this matter and I responded to her on the 29th April, 2004.

Yours sincerely,

NOEL CONROY COMMISSIONER OF AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA

30th April,2004.

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