At least 12 people have been arrested during an anti-globalisation protest outside the Burlington Hotel, in Dublin, this evening.
Trouble broke during an anti-globalisation rally outside the hotel where a three-day international conference on privatisation was being held.
The leader of the Green Party Mr Trevor Sargent TD addressed the rally which was also attended by a number of shop stewards from Aer Lingus and up to 100 protesters.
The protest was reported to be against the privatisation of water, health, education and transport.
According to a witness the rally was quite for about an hour but then a number of demonstrators attempted to storm the hotel.
The witness protestor threw paint-bombs and flour-bombs at Garda who were blocking the entrance to the building.
A number of people were injured, though none seriously, and several others were arrested, the witness said.
A Garda spokesman said 12 people were arrested during the disturbances but that the protest has now ended.