Gardai have confirmed they are investigating the organisation of the Black Lives Matter protest in Dublin city yesterday.
Hundreds of people took to the streets of the capital in solidarity with protests in the US following the death of George Floyd.
Crowds gathered while wearing protective face masks and carrying anti-racism posters outside the GPO as they marched in the Black Lives Matter protest.
Activists gathered outside the GPO on O'Connell Street before marching to the US Embassy for further demonstrations.
Gardai confirmed they were investigating a potential breach of Regulation 5(1)(a) of the Health Act 1947 (Section 31A-Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (Amendment) (No.3) Regulations 2020, which places restrictions on holding large events, Dublin Live reports.
Gardai said that there was "no advance consultation with An Garda Síochána in relation to this protest which was organised on social media".
However they also said the organisers of the protest "at all times pro-actively engaged with An Garda Síochána during the event, the size of which substantially exceeded their expectations".
They continued: "The organisers had made attempts to mark social distancing guidelines on O’Connell Street for their anticipated number of participants. Social distancing is a guideline not a regulation.
"As with all other protests which have taken place during the existence of the COVID-19 Regulations An Garda Síochána has engaged with organisers and attendees in line with the 4e’s, including where appropriate recording names and addresses and then seeking the advice of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
"An Garda Síochána is investigating this matter and the advices of the Director of Public Prosecutions will be sought in respect of any further actions to be taken.
"The Covid-19 Pandemic remains a public health crisis and An Garda Síochána continues to appeal to all citizens to comply with Public Health Guidelines and Regulations, in particular essential journeys, in order to continue to save lives."
George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, was killed by white police officer Derek Chauvin who kneeled on his neck for almost nine minutes.
A video of the horrific killing, in which Mr Floyd can be heard pleading "I can't breathe", became viral online, prompting the mass protests in the US against police brutality on the black community.
