The tactics used by Gardaí in Dublin and Cork over the weekend was a “necessary response”, according to a representative body.
Shields and baton charges were used to deal with violence that erupted after large groups of young people gathered.
A total of 55 arrests were made, the majority of those in the capital, while a number of Gardaí were injured and patrol cars were damaged.
Vice President of the Garda Representative Association, Brendan O’Connor, believes they reacted appropriately:
