Police beat, arrest protesters at Dublin anti-lockdown rally

Footage of the event appears to show police officers beating protesters in the streets after a protester allegedly launched fireworks at police, Sky News reports.

While 20 people were arrested during the confrontation, there were no reports of serious injuries.

"Very regrettably, people arrived intent on violence. They engaged in attacks on members of An Garda Siochana including the throwing of a firework type device," said Garda Commissioner Drew Harris. "They had no reasonable grounds for being there in the first place so we will pursue particularly those who formed a very hard core to deal with."

Ireland is currently under "level 5" restrictions, which means that stay-at-home orders are in order except for essential purposes. Protesting is not considered essential.

"We will follow through with an investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice," Commissioner Harris said.

Ireland's Education Minister Simon Harris described the protest as "pure thuggery" and "an attack on our national effort" to curb the spread of coronavirus.

Lockdowns have faced heavy criticism from many members of the public across multiple countries in which they have been implemented. Their opponents argue that they are not proven to reduce the spread of coronavirus, that they infringe on basic human rights such as freedom of movement, and that they have resulted in a massive surge in mental health problems.

Supporters of lockdowns have argued that they are necessary to prevent the spread of coronavirus.