Tánaiste Micheál Martin has said the high security presence around Government Buildings yesterday was a response to "fascist protests" outside Leinster House two weeks ago.
Around 200 Gardaí were on duty for Budget Day, while eight-foot barriers put in place around Leinster House.
Parts of Kildare Street, Molesworth Street and Merrion Street Upper were also closed off to the public.
The Tanaiste Michael Martin says he doesn’t like the level of security that was present at Government Buildings yesterday.
However he says the high-security presence was a response to the “fascist protests” outside Leinster House two weeks ago pic.twitter.com/9QgowFscCJ— Barry Whyte (@BarryWhyte85) October 11, 2023
The protest last month featured images of TDs on gallows, with an effigy of a man hanging from a noose.
Images of high-profile TDs including Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald were used.
Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin has said he doesn't agree with such a security presence, however he feels the Gardaí had no choice.
"I don't like what I saw yesterday; I think it discommoded a lot of the public," he said.
"I just didn't like it but that's tough.
"I didn't like it as a person, I think a lot of people were discommoded by it.
"I think it's for all of us as a society to make it very clear that we are intolerant of the kind of fascist protests we witnessed two weeks ago," he added.
