The Minister for Justice today used a speech commemorating Michael Collins to hit out at violent protesters.

Frances Fitzgerald is giving the annual oration at Béal na mBláth today, 93 years to the day since General Michael Collins was ambushed and assassinated in West Cork during the Civil War.

In a tribute to the fallen hero, Fitzgerald said to allow the manner of his dying to define him would do a sad injustice to his greatness.

The Minister did not confine her speech to historical events, and took a swipe at what she called 'violent protesters' in present day Ireland.

"For Collins, disagreement was to be cherished, but interference with the people, their safety and their property was unacceptable," she says.

She also claims that "Fine Gael must never cease in challenging the propaganda that suggests violent protest is virtuous and effective."

It emerged earlier this month that more than 20 demonstrators will be charged over the Jobstown protest last year, which left Tánaiste Joan Burton trapped in her car for over two hours.