The right to protest should not be absolute

When does a protest cease to be a peaceful display of opposition and simply descend into thuggish behaviour?

Many commentators feel that a line was crossed this month when the Tánaiste was trapped in her car for a number of hours and had to be protected by gardaí. Subsequent footage has emerged that paints some of those involved in a most unfavourable light.

A journalist colleague of mine was on the scene in Jobstown that day and he recorded the behaviour of some of those involved. It makes for deeply unsettling viewing. The abusive language and aggression directed at gardaí – public servants simply doing a difficult job under difficult circumstances – suggested that, despite the best intentions of the organisers, this was anything but a peaceful protest.

•Joan Burton:  trapped in her car for a number of hours

That is not to tarnish the good names of the majority of the anti-water charges movement – or indeed public representatives – involved in the protest. But it is quite clear that the event became a magnet for troublemakers. As usual, these thugs would have been in the minority but they made their presence clearly felt, running amok under the guise of an organised protest.

Once it became apparent that a nasty element had infiltrated the ranks of the protesters, it should have been immediately called off with the Tánaiste allowed to go on her way. Instead, she was left at the mercy of a baying mob. Even if you strongly disagree with her politics, it’s hard to justify how she was treated that day.

The unsavoury events in Tallaght were in sharp contrast to the dignified protests held in Dublin city centre and throughout the country recently. Quite rightly, many of those involved in the anti-water charges campaign have criticised such behaviour and have sought to distance themselves from it.

Predictably, Government TDs were quick out of the traps in condemning the Jobstown disturbance. Taoiseach Enda Kenny went ridiculously over the top by comparing it to a kidnapping, somewhat undermining his message.

In the days that followed there were reports of alleged bomb threats and menacing calls to politicians. It would be unfortunate if the negative publicity generated by a fringe element deterred ordinary people from taking part in peaceful acts of protest.

We should appreciate that we live in a democratic society where we have a right to protest. But when it comes to violence and sinister behaviour, that right should not be absolute.