Three people were arrested during rival demonstrations by anti-racism and free speech groups in Dublin on Saturday.
The arrests followed minor scuffles between the two protest groups which were then separated by a large force of gardaí.
Two men and one woman were arrested. One of the males, a teenager, and the woman were questioned and then received an adult caution.
A second male in his forties has been charged with public order offences and is due to appear before court at a later date.
![Gardaí sought to keep the two demonstrations apart. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/SELUNIQHVWLQFKRQW7HDWIWDQQ.jpg?auth=0fdeddb7226622fa49c6ec2ceebbb9d64fceb95d99ca5f3a022289059e5d1632&width=800&height=450)
Several hundred people took part in the demonstrations outside Leinster House on Saturday afternoon.
One of the demonstrations was a protest against proposed new hate speech legislation and was organised by groups including the Irish Freedom Party and Yellow Vest Ireland.
![Gardaí sought to keep the two demonstrations apart. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/SELUNIQHVWLQFKRQW7HDWIWDQQ.jpg?auth=0fdeddb7226622fa49c6ec2ceebbb9d64fceb95d99ca5f3a022289059e5d1632&width=800&height=450)
Trades unions, faith groups and anti-racism organisations in turn organised a counter demonstration, the Solidarity Alliance against Racism and Fascism’s (SARF) rally.
Members of this group chanted: “Listen up and listen clear refugees are welcome here”.
A Department of Justice the consultation process on possible improvements to Ireland’s hate speech laws ended on Friday.
![Opposing protests at the Dáil on ‘free speech’ and a counter demonstration. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/SWVQJBRIBUITERIY2QF6QDKBKA.jpg?auth=1c03e9ba017e470b30afdfd57cb78d446e040dde51bdae56c7b2925edf97dc56&width=800&height=450)
The Government has indicated it intends to strengthen and expand the scope of existing hate-speech legislation, as “one element in a wider suite of measures across all areas of government which are designed to address hatred and intolerance”.
Some forms of hate speech are already a criminal offence in Ireland under the Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act 1989.
![Opposing protests at the Dáil on ‘free speech’ and a counter demonstration. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/IFIZPTSG5OSYLFEA5VXJQTXDWM.jpg?auth=4a9e30a82a5f1f1b98999d0fb0b509fd60f4c491bb3f762755d367f8024d7d5e&width=800&height=450)
While severe sanctions are available under the existing law there have been a handful of convictions.