The first garda to be tried in connection with the "Reclaim the Streets" protest last year has had his case dismissed in Dublin District Court today.
Garda Keith Goff, from Mountjoy Garda Station, was charged with assaulting Mr Brian Hayden at the rally on Dame Street in Dublin on May 6th 2002.
But on the second day of the case today Judge Cormac Dunne said there were "gross uncertainties" in evidence given by the accuser and granted a defence request to have the charges dismissed.
Seven gardaí were charged after the operation to break up the protest in which 24 people were arrested after baton-wielding gardaí moved in.
Fourteen people were injured in the Garda operation, which was recorded by cameramen and photographers. The trials of other gardaí charged in connection with the incident are due to begin later this year.