The first use of water cannons by police in the Republic of Ireland, during protests against an EU summit in Dublin.
Key Facts
- Date
- 1 May 2004
- Location
- Ashtown roundabout, Dublin
- Occasion
- EU leaders summit at Farmleigh House
- First in Irish history
- First police use of water cannons in Republic of Ireland
- Main protest group
- Dublin Grassroots Network
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
An EU summit of leaders was held at Farmleigh House in the Phoenix Park on 1 May 2004. Alter-globalisation activists affiliated with the Dublin Grassroots Network and other left-wing groups organised a march toward Farmleigh to protest the summit, but Gardaí blocked their route at the Ashtown roundabout.
A small number of protesters broke from the main group and clashed with Gardaí at the Ashtown roundabout. Riot police deployed water cannons against the demonstrators, eventually dispersing the crowd. The confrontation was limited in scale but notable for the policing methods employed.
The incident marked the first recorded use of water cannons by police in the Republic of Ireland, setting a precedent for riot-control tactics available to the Gardaí and prompting public and political debate about the proportionality of such measures against civilian protesters.
Political Outcome
Protesters were dispersed by Gardaí using water cannons; the march to Farmleigh was prevented.