A group of protesters have claimed they were "manhandled, punched and thrown onto the road" by a group of counter-demonstrators outside a Dublin greyhound track.
The Alliance for Animal Rights have been protesting outside Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium for the past five weeks following revelations of animal cruelty in an RTE Investigates programme.
Previous protests have gone off peacefully until Saturday evening when the group claim they were attacked by another group.
A spokeswoman for the Alliance for Animal Rights said: "Members of the Alliance for Animal Rights have built up a good relationship with the local Gardai and all of the organised protests regarding ending Greyhound Racing have passed without incident."
But she went on to claim that on Saturday evening, the counter-demonstrators: "started a melee and three protesters were manhandled, punched and thrown onto the road outside the entrance."
A garda spokesman told Dublin Live they have received reports from two of the alleged victims of the assaults.
He said: "Gardaí are investigating an alleged assault of a female in her 30s that occurred at approximately 7pm today Saturday July 20 at South Lotts Road, Dublin 4.
"It’s believed no injuries were reported. No arrests have been made and investigations are ongoing.
"Gardaí are investigating an alleged assault of a male in his 50s that occurred at approximately 7.20pm today Saturday July 20 at South Lotts Road, Dublin 4.
"No injuries were reported. No arrests have been made and investigations are ongoing."
