Trial of garda accused of assaulting RTÉ cameraman hears protestors became 'extremely aggressive'

He said his unit and two other public order units went to the area. The members in these units were wearing “soft caps” and did not have helmets or shields.

He said the gardaí made a complete line across the street to stop the protesters reaching the pub. He said the crowd had swelled and became “extremely aggressive”.

He said he directed the gardaí in his unit to draw batons. He said around 15 men who had their faces covered by scarves and hoodies began to actively resist gardaí.

“They were trying to push down the street,” he said and agreed that he saw some protesters trying to hit gardaí with closed fists and trying to take batons from them. He agreed that it was a tense and volatile situation.

He said that some protesters were struck with batons as they were a direct threat to safety and that anyone who was attacking gardaí had their faces covered.

The court heard that three more public order units, these “fully kitted out in riot helmets and shields” were deployed behind the “soft cap” units. The garda sergeant said that the separation line was never breached and after about 30 minutes the protesters dispersed.

He said that during this time the garda members were verbally abused and were being filmed by the protesters.

He told Ms McGowan that the protocol for the use of force was that gardaí should use non-violent means to control or disperse the crowd and that force should only be used “as a last resort”

He said batons could be used by a garda member if the garda was in fear of being attacked or overpowered. The trial, which is expected to last five days, continues before Judge Melanie Greally.