400px|A Republican rioter throws a traffic cone at gardaí (Policemen) in Dublin. An Garda Síochána have regained control in Dublin, Ireland following riots in which a Republican counter-demonstration against Loyalist marches in the city descended into violence that engulfed the city centre. Shops on some of Dublin's major thoroughfares including O'Connell Street, Nassau Street and Kildare Street were closed as the Garda Riot Squad moved in from Grafton Street , and hundreds of shoppers were caught up in the disturbance. 40 protesters have been arrested, and 14 people have been hospitalised, including RTÉ News main correspondent Charlie Bird , and six gardaí. 13 of the arrested will be dealt with tonight during a special sitting of Dublin District Court. The riots, which have been described as the worst that Dublin has seen in a quarter of a century, broke out at 12.45 pm. About 1,000 Loyalist protestors, including members of the Orange Order , had travelled from Northern Ireland in order to march from Parnell Street down to Leinster House (the seat of the Irish parliament ) on Kildare Street. Political figures, led by President of Ireland Mary McAleese , and including leaders of major political parties from across Ireland's political spectrum such as Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, the Democratic Unionist Party ,  the  Irish Labour Party, Sinn Féin and the Social Democratic Labour Party have condemned the violence. Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has commented that "It is the essence of Irish democracy and republicanism that people are allowed to express their views freely and in a peaceful manner. People who want only to attack gardaí and property have no respect for their fellow citizens." Unionist politicians due to participate in the rally, including Democratic Unionist Party MP Jeffrey Donaldson and Ulster Unionist deputy leader Danny Kennedy , have issued a complaint to the Irish Minister for Justice Michael McDowell , who has admitted that An Garda Síochána were not expecting the level of hostility that was realised. Mr McDowell has also commented that the riots were perpetrated by people who did not understand what Irish republicanism means and who have damaged the cause of Irish unity that they purported to support. Republican Sinn Féin , a party which split from the main body of Sinn Féin in 1986 and which had been involved in the organisation of the counter-demonstration, have declared that it was irresponsible for the authorities to allow the marches to go ahead. It is believed that around €50,000 will be necessary to clear up and repair the damage caused to O'Connell Street, Dublin's main thoroughfare, and the street will remain closed until tomorrow. It is feared that the riots will have a significant impact on the Northern Ireland peace process , and on plans by the Irish government to recommence annual commemorations of the 1916 Easter Rising .
400px|A Republican rioter throws a traffic cone at gardaí (Policemen) in Dublin. have regained control in Dublin, Ireland following riots in which a counter-demonstration against marches in the city descended into violence that engulfed the city centre. Shops on some of Dublin's major thoroughfares including , and were closed as the Garda Riot Squad moved in from , and hundreds of shoppers were caught up in the disturbance. 40 protesters have been arrested, and 14 people have been hospitalised, including main correspondent , and six gardaí. 13 of the arrested will be dealt with tonight during a special sitting of Dublin District Court. The riots, which have been described as the worst that Dublin has seen in a quarter of a century, broke out at 12.45 pm. About 1,000 Loyalist protestors, including members of the , had travelled from Northern Ireland in order to march from Parnell Street down to (the seat of the ) on Kildare Street. Political figures, led by , and including leaders of major political parties from across Ireland's political spectrum such as , , the , the Irish , and the have condemned the violence. has commented that "It is the essence of Irish democracy and republicanism that people are allowed to express their views freely and in a peaceful manner. People who want only to attack gardaí and property have no respect for their fellow citizens." politicians due to participate in the rally, including and deputy leader , have issued a complaint to the , who has admitted that An Garda Síochána were not expecting the level of hostility that was realised. Mr McDowell has also commented that the riots were perpetrated by people who did not understand what Irish republicanism means and who have damaged the cause of Irish unity that they purported to support. , a party which split from the main body of Sinn Féin in 1986 and which had been involved in the organisation of the counter-demonstration, have declared that it was irresponsible for the authorities to allow the marches to go ahead. It is believed that around €50,000 will be necessary to clear up and repair the damage caused to O'Connell Street, Dublin's main thoroughfare, and the street will remain closed until tomorrow. It is feared that the riots will have a significant impact on the , and on plans by the Irish government to recommence annual commemorations of the 1916 .
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An Garda Síochána
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Republican
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Loyalist
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O'Connell Street, Nassau Street and Kildare Street
, and
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Grafton Street
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RTÉ News main correspondent Charlie Bird
main correspondent
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Orange Order
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Leinster House
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Irish parliament
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President of Ireland Mary McAleese
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Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, the Democratic Unionist Party
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,
A
, the
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Labour Party, Sinn Féin and the Social Democratic Labour Party
, and the
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Taoiseach Bertie Ahern
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Unionist
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Democratic Unionist Party MP Jeffrey Donaldson and Ulster Unionist deputy leader Danny Kennedy
and deputy leader
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Irish Minister for Justice Michael McDowell
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Republican Sinn Féin
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Northern Ireland peace process
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Easter Rising