Garda knocked out at Dáil protest discharged from hospital

The female garda who was knocked unconscious at Wednesday's water charges protest outside Leinster House which left members of the Oireachtas unable to leave the premises has been discharged from hospital.

She suffered from minor injuries when she was struck by an object and was brought to St James’s hospital, a Garda spokesperson said.

A man in his 30s was arrested at the scene shortly after 2.30pm in relation to pubic order offences at the protest.

He has since been released and will appear in court in relation to the charges at a later date.

About 50 gardaí were on the scene when traffic cones and glass bottles were thrown by protestors taking part in the demonstrations on Kildare St.

Former minister for justice Alan Shatter accused the demonstrators of being "fascist" when his car was blocked from driving through the front gates of Leinster House.

Gardaí were forced to form lines and create a corridor to allow a number of TDs and senators to leave Leinster House at around 9.30pm.

Labour Senator Mary Moran said she had to abandon her car on Kildare St.

“It was completely vicious,” she said.