Gardaí have arrested 11 people for public order offences at an anti-lockdown protest in Dublin city centre.
A full Garda operation was in place from early afternoon as the protestors assembled at O'Connell Bridge and later moved to East Wall Road and onto Grafton Street.
Gardaí said they engaged with the protestors on a number of occasions using the graduated policing response during which Garda members engage, explain, encourage and, as a last resort, enforce.
Gadai observe protestors gathered on O'Connell Street, Dublin, calling for the country to be opened on the first day of nationwide Level 5 restrictions in Ireland.
On a number of occasions protestors were informed that they were in breach of public health regulations and asked to disperse.
At approximately 5:30pm, as protestors began to disperse, a small group started to become involved in public disorder incidents on Grafton Street.
Gardaí arrested 11 people for public order offences following a number of incidents in the area. No injuries were reported and the rest of the group dispersed from the area without serious incident.
The 11 people arrested are currently detained at Garda Stations in Dublin.
Protestors gather at O'Connell Street, Dublin, calling for the country to be opened on the first day of nationwide Level 5 restrictions in Ireland.
Members of the Garda Public Order Unit were deployed in ‘soft cap’ mode at the protest in support of uniform colleagues, in support of the graduated policing response.
Gardaí said: "‘Soft Cap’ is Public Order members in Public Order Suits and Baseball Caps NOT public order helmets, body pads and shields."
An investigation focused on the organisers of this protest is now underway. The advices of the Director of Public Prosecutions will be sought in respect of any further actions to be taken.