Video has emerged of a confrontation between gardaí and protesters at a property auction in Gorey, Co Wexford, in which a garda is seen using a baton during the melee.
It is understood some of the properties being auctioned at the hotel in Gorey were secured on NAMA loans and are in the control of a receiver.
In the four minute-clip, a garda is seen explaining to a man that an allegation of assault had been made against him. The garda asks for the man’s name and address.
The man, encouraged by fellow protesters, asks to be told the specific section of the law under which he is being asked for his name.
The garda confirms the act and section in question (Section 2 of the Non Fatal Offences Against the Person Act), but the man insists on having it quoted while he is being asked for his name.
The garda tells the man he is “now placing (him) under arrest” and the crowd becomes agitated, with a number of people shouting “Illegal arrest”, “peaceful protest” and “Arrest one, arrest all”. A number of scuffles break out.
Later in the clip (3.48 mins), the same garda is seen using a baton while facing another protester, who falls to the ground.
A melee ensues, and the clip shuts off.
A spokesperson for the Garda Press Office said today they do not comment on video posted by third parties to social media, and referred further queries to the Garda Ombudsman’s Office, GSOC.
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