Irish protesters make themselves heard during royal visit

Not everyone was happy for Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II to make her historic visit to the Irish Republic. Although not large in number, a rally organised by Republican nationalists ended in several clashes with police.

About half a hour before the Queen was due to lay a wreath at the Garden of Remembrance, a few blocks away protesters tried to kick their way through security barricades.

But if Queen Elizabeth and the Irish President Mary McAleese could hear the demonstrators neither showed it.

The four day state visit is the first by a British monarch since Ireland gained independence.

The occasion is heavy in symbolism as both countries try to put aside the bitter history between them.

But in the light of a recent upsurge in activity by dissident Republicans opposed to the Northern Ireland peace process, security for the trip has been tight.

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