Peace protesters plan to hold a demonstration today outside the Berkeley Court Hotel in Ballsbridge, Dublin, where a conference on "less-lethal" weapons is being held.
The two-day conference is being organised by Jane's Information Group, the international "provider of intelligence and analysis on national and international defence, security and risk developments".
Mr Brendan Butler, co-ordinator of the NGO Peace Alliance, described today's event as a "showcase for tools of torture".
He and fellow activists plan to protest outside the hotel today and tomorrow.
"The idea to call this weaponry 'less-lethal' flies in the face of evidence where it can be used as instruments of torture. It is an example of the human mind gone awry where arms manufacturers have now diversified into another profitable area of business, and where an Irish hotels group is willing to promote such an event."
Green Party chairman Mr John Gormley TD said he was dismayed to learn that members of the Garda were set to appear as speakers at the conference.
"It is regrettable that the Garda Síochána, which has such a fine record as a non-armed force, is increasingly investing in equipment which will be used to suppress political dissent. There is no evidence that such equipment is required."
"Non-lethal" weaponry "simply means not designed to kill", Mr Gormley said. This would come as no consolation to citizens who wished to attend mass demonstrations, such as that organised in Dublin just before the US invaded Iraq, if gardaí policing these carried "less-lethal" weapons.
Mr Gormley said members of the Green Party would protest outside the hotel today.
The Dublin Grassroots Network also plans to stage a protest.
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