"More trouble" is being feared in Dublin city this weekend as a repeat 'anti-mask' protest which took place on Saturday is set to go ahead as thousands said to be hitting the streets once more.
The large protest took place on Grafton Street where up to 1,000 marchers, angered about current health restrictions, made their way through the city centre waving Irish flags before holding a sit-down protest.
And Gardai are understood to be gearing up for another serious breach in Covid-19 legislation and "more trouble" as far-right groups are set to organise a repeat protest for this weekend according to this morning's The Irish Examiner.
Under Level 3 Lockdown restrictions, it is a criminal offence to hold an outdoor event with more than 15 people.
Detectives are making significant progress into their investigations of the protest, already identifying several suspected organisers of the large gathering.
But officers are worried that there could be similar if not more severe scenes this weekend following the latest calls from Government as Ireland faces a nationwide Level 3.
Gardai told Dublin Live that all persons present left the protest without incident and that no arrests were made.
They added that they play no role in sanctioning protests and that no authorisation is required to hold one, nor is there any penal penalty for individual attendance at the protest, "social distancing, wearing of masks in public area and other such public health guidelines".
Health Freedom Ireland said: "Our fundamental constitutional freedoms are being eroded under the guise of a public health crisis.
"There is no evidence for mandatory mask-wearing in a healthy population yet these mandates set a dangerous precedent for future impingements upon our freedom."
Yellow Vest Ireland have called the latest lockdown measures for Dublin "unscientific and baseless."
A Garda spokesperson said: "Gardaí attended the scene of a protest earlier today, Saturday, 3rd October, 2020, that commenced at Custom House Quay, North Dock, Dublin, and concluded at Grafton Street, Dublin 2, where all persons present dispersed without incident.
"An Garda Síochána has no role in permitting or authorising protest marches, there is no permit/authorisation required for such events.
"An Garda Síochána objective in relation to protests is the prevention of any Breach of the Peace and facilitate ongoing business continuity around the protest event.
"The Health Act 1947 (Section 31A-Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) (No.5) Regulations 2020, as amended are currently in force, and place penal restrictions on persons organising certain events.
"An Garda Síochána will investigate the organisation of this event.
