The right to free assembly on Dublin's O'Connell Street may become a thing of the past if new "event management by-laws" for the area are passed, according to a pressure group established to fight the proposals.
Dublin Corporation's proposals, revealed at a low-key council meeting two weeks ago, is part of attempts "to balance the right of access and egress to O’Connell Street with the rights of public assembly on O’Connell Street" the campaigners claimed.
Once made public, the proposals prompted the formation of The Freedom of Assembly Campaign, "a coalition of groups and individuals to oppose the planned new event management by-laws in Dublin city center".
The campaign is being backed by politicians, members of the Government, and students unions, including Senator Joe Costello, Councilor Ciaran Cuffe and Ivana Bacik, TCD Reid professor of law.
"The new proposed by-laws represent a draconian attack on basic civil rights" said campaign spokesperson Ms Grace Lally.
The laws will require organisers of any march or demonstration to give 31 days notice prior to any planned march and provide a (refundable) £2000 deposit for assemblies of greater than 50 people.
Events involving more than 300 people will be subject to a council veto and will require proof of £3 million insurance policy before being allowed through.
At a press conference yesterday in Trinity College, the Campaign announced plans to protest at the next meeting of the Corporation in City Hall on Monday.
"They think they can get away with what they want" said Trinty College's students union president, Mr Rory Hearne. "Who is the city for?" "Whose streets are these?," he asked.
A spokesman for Dublin Corporartion told ireland.comthe planned by-laws were still in their embryonic stages and far from finalised. He continued by expressing the Corporation's "anxious" desire "to get informed comment" on the by-laws and other issues pertaining to the matter.