A decision by the Director of Public Prosecutions to release eight Co Derry men involved in a fracas in Donegal in which gardai were injured has been criticised by local people.
A fight broke out between two stag-party groups from Co Derry outside a night-club in Buncrana in the early hours of Sunday morning, and when gardai intervened they were attacked.
Four gardai required medical attention and a sergeant remained in hospital yesterday with neck and face injuries. Eight men were arrested.
A Garda spokesman said the DPP was consulted on Sunday and "a file is to be prepared and sent to the DPP's office".
However, locals were angry, saying that if charges were brought at a later stage the men were unlikely to return to face them. The local radio station received many angry calls, in particular from relatives of gardai.
Mr Paul Bradley, a Fine Gael member of Buncrana urban council, said more severe action should have been taken.
The Fine Gael justice spokesman, Mr Jim Higgins TD, criticised the DPP's decision and said he would raise the matter in the Dail today.