Missiles and fireworks were thrown at gardaí and the public order unit along with other specialist units were deployed to disperse the crowd last night.
Over 300 gardaí were involved in policing the protests. Two were injured and taken to hospital.
The policing operation began just before 7pm yesterday as gardaí prevented protesters arriving at Citywest from gathering in large numbers to form a critical mass.
Uniformed gardaí in soft caps directed people to leave the area under Section 8 of the Public Order Act
They also linked arms and formed lines which protesters tried to breach and were subjected to verbal abuse .
Missiles were thrown at gardaí, two were injured, one in the arm or shoulder, while one officer was hit on the head with a bottle. Both were treated in hospital.
Fireworks were also fired at gardaí and the graduated policing response was escalated and groups of men broke masonry off the road and the Luas stop to throw at gardaí.
The public order and mounted units were deployed to push protesters back as the graduated policing plan was stepped up. The water cannon was on standby but not used.
Many were so-called “recreational protesters”, teenagers and young adults with their faces covered and hoods up travelling on e-scooters and bikes.
.
