Strong Garda presence around Leinster House but no sign of any budget day protests

There was a strong Garda presence but no sign of any protests around Leinster House as the budget announcement got under way in the Dáil on Tuesday afternoon.

Fears of a repeat of the intimidatory far-right demonstration that took place on the opening day of the Dáil term last month proved to be unfounded.

Gardaí established what one senior officer called a “mini-sterile zone” around the building with access to the surrounding streets limited to Leinster House staff and politicians.

Kildare Street was closed to traffic and pedestrians on both ends, as was Merrion Street on the other side of Leinster House. Most of Molesworth Street, which leads up to Leinster House, was closed off by two lines of barriers.

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Gardaí erected 6ft metal barriers around the entrance to the building and various command-and-control and public-order vehicles were present.

Earlier in the day, Commissioner Drew Harris toured the fortifications with Leinster House security staff.

Gardaí in specialist units had been monitoring far-right social media channels for any indication of a large-scale gathering organised for Tuesday. About 200 gardaí were assigned to guard the building, including uniformed units, plain-clothes personnel, public order gardaí, roads policing units and the Garda Dog Unit.

A number of military police were also on duty within the complex as is normal.

“There is a constitutional right to the freedom of assembly and freedom of speech, subject to statutory provisions,” a Garda spokesman said. He said the freedom to protest extended to some level of disruption or obstruction to footpaths and roads “provided it is reasonable and proportionate, and limited in its extent and duration”.

“An Garda Síochána is obliged to respect the right for all citizens to exercise their constitutional rights.”

He said the Garda response to protests would be based on “a graduated policing response taking into account relevant legislation and public safety”.

Road closures were due to last until 2am on Wednesday. Gardaí warned additional road closures may take place if required.