Gardai deny injured protesters access to hospital

dublin | summit mobilisations | press release Monday May 03, 2004 12:50 by Dublin Grassroots Network

The Dublin Grassroots Network has expressed concern at the non-reporting of injures caused by the Gardai attack on demonstrators on the Navan road on Saturday evening.

Aileen O’Carroll said “The only injury reported by the media has been the minor head injuries suffered by a Gardai. However at least serveral protesters had bones broken by the Gardai action and two more received severe head injuries. There may be further injuries we have yet to hear about.

“The media may be unaware of these injuries because a large squad of some 50 Gardai denied protesters with head injuries vehicle access to the Matter hospital on our return to the city centre. This meant our own medical team which included a GP had to treat the injured as best they could until they could access the hospital after Gardai had dispersed.

Our top priority now is the immediate release of all prisoners and the dropping of charges.

ends

Further information
Liz O’Curry 086 8410666

Confirmed list of injuries to date

1. One broken arm and three gashed arms that required stitches
2. One broken leg
3. One broken wrist
4. Two head injuries that required stitches
5. Broken fingers
6. One person knocked unconscious by water cannon