Michéal Martin calls Brian Cowen protesters ‘fascists’

Fianna Fáil leader Michéal Martin has described the protestors who confronted former Taoiseach Brian Cowen as he got into his car as "fascists" and said they have no place in a modern democracy.

Video has emerged in recent days of Mr Cowen being harassed in Dublin city centre, and Fianna Fáil justice spokesman Niall Collins said he "wouldn't have a problem" with reintroducing Garda drivers for former Taoisigh.

The Government removed the entitlement of former office holders to a Garda driver when it came into office in 2011.

Mr Martin said there has been "a dangerous development in Irish society of late".

"We had the Joan Burton incident and we had other incidents where people want to restrict the freedom of movement of citizens of this country irrespective of who they are, whether they are in government, whether they are former member of government," he added.

“We live in a democracy, and we should cherish that democracy. People should be allowed walk to their cars, people should be allowed walk to their homes and people should be allowed walk to their workplace. It is a very fundamental part of our democracy and I think people who blatantly restrict the freedom of movement are essentially fascist in their approach to politics and society.”

When asked if Garda drivers should be reintroduced, Mr Martin said: “Society has to stand up to that. I think the civil powers have to stand up to that. The power of moral argument is the most powerful force that will stop this ultimately.”

However, Mr Collins said he already raised the prospect with Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald in the aftermath of the incident in Jobstown, Tallaght, last year when Ms Burton was trapped in her car.

“If the Government wanted to review the ministerial ex-driving arrangements and re-instate garda drivers, I wouldn’t have a problem with it,” Mr Collins said.