NEW RULES FOR PUBLIC ATTENDANCE AT CITY COUNCIL

Date Published: 12-Feb-2013

A man has been released without charge following his arrest at a protest outside City Hall last evening.

The demonstration was monitored by Gardai and the main doors of City Hall were locked as protestors chanted intermittently as the City Council’s meeting progressed.

The man was arrested for public order offences after he tried to get back into the Chamber.

The protest took place on the night Councillors went on to make changes to certain standing orders including an insertion that members of the public booking seats at council meetings are required to give their name and contact details and may be required to produce I.D.

The measure had been initially agreed at a meeting of City Council last March.

Cllr Declan McDonnell said people shouldn’t be afraid of giving information while Cllr Catherine Connolly voted against the measure.

She said that while what happened was unfortunate, people should reflect on what’s happening in democracy.

Cllr Frank Fahy proposed the new requirement which was seconded by Cllr Hildegarde Naughton and supported by a total of 12 Cllrs.