A smoke bomb was thrown and gardaí arrested three people as a rally against planned hate speech legislation and counter-protesters clashed outside Leinster House on Saturday. A group of about 100 people waving Irish flags and carrying placards calling for the protection of “free speech” gathered outside the Dáil at lunch time. Spokeswoman Tracey O’Mahoney said the event was a gathering of individuals opposed to plans to introduce legislation criminalising hate speech. A number of people said they were supporters of the groups Free Speech Ireland and the Irish Freedom Party. Members of the rally against proposed hate speech legislation outside Leinster House.

Source: The Irish Times February 01, 2020 18:02 UTC