Reclaim the Streets protesters will join cycling campaigners in a May Day "street party" in Dublin on Monday, a year after a similar event ended in violence.
Senior gardaí met yesterday to discuss policing the protest, and afterwards a spokesman said only that a "plan" was in place to deal with it. But in keeping with past policy, the protesters insist they will not discuss details of the event with the authorities.
One of the organisers, Mr James McDonald, said he had no idea how many people would attend the protest, which aims to close an unspecified city street to traffic for the bank holiday afternoon.
"You never know how many people will come to a party," he added. "It could be anything from 10 to 10,000. We've sent out a lot of invitations." He also declined to say how long the party - comprising "music, football, drums and whatever" - would last, saying that this depended on the "mood" of those participating.
Last year's event drew 400 people and resulted in street disturbances, Garda clashes with demonstrators, 24 arrests and accusations of police brutality.
Seven gardaí were charged following the disturbances and their cases are due to be heard next month.
Mr McDonald said the gardaí "can contact us if they want". An e-mail address had been included on posters and flyers advertising the event, he added. However, asked whether itinerary details would be released before Monday, he said: "No, that would ruin the surprise."
The afternoon's events begin at 1.30 p.m., when the Critical Mass cyclists' group meet at the Garden of Remembrance.
Other protesters will gather outside the GPO on O'Connell Street at 2 p.m. and the two groups will then converge on the chosen venue. One of the factors blamed for the trouble at last year's protest was said to be the lack of information or forewarning gardaí had about the event. However, Mr McDonald, who described his profession as "poet, artist and lover", did not expect trouble at Monday's party.
"Hopefully not. Guards probably will show up but I would ask them that if a few people are getting a bit obnoxious and drunk or whatever, that they don't use that as an excuse to beat everyone else up."