GARDAI are preparing to arrest 10 protesters involved in the demonstrations that left Tanaiste Joan Burton trapped in her car for over two hours.

A variety of charges including assault, violent disorder and criminal damage are likely to be brought against some of those who hijacked what was supposed to be a peaceful protest against water charges.

The Irish Independent has learned that officers are also preparing a file for the Director of Public Prosecutions on the role of Anti-Austerity Alliance TD Paul Murphy.

Sources have revealed that detectives are "closely examining every piece of footage and photographs" from the incident in Jobstown, Dublin, on November 15 to establish whether the Dail deputy should be charged with a criminal offence under the Public Order Act.

Officers are examining whether Mr Murphy could be regarded as having been "in charge" of the protest when he used a megaphone to address the crowd.

They will also ask the DPP if the socialist deputy should be charged with inciting others to falsely imprison Ms Burton.

"The investigation team has compiled a very detailed evidence from what happened and a file is being prepared for the DPP in relation to Mr Murphy's conduct," a senior security source said.

The Tanaiste, her special adviser Karen O'Connell and several gardai were verbally abused, threatened, assaulted and spat at during the protest outside the An Cosan community college.

It has also emerged that pepper-spray canisters, batons and a set of handcuffs were stolen from gardai during the stand-off.

"Statements have been taken from the gardai who were at the scene as well as other witnesses and protesters who disagreed with the level of intimidation and violence used.

"There are issues of public order and false imprisonment to be considered," a source said.

Mr Murphy, who was elected to the Dail in the Dublin South West by-election, has insisted the demonstration was completely peaceful.

He told the Irish Independent last night that he would "cooperate fully" if gardai wish to speak to him.

"I would be very, very, very surprised if people are convicted following the protest in Jobstown," he said.

"This is a very political role the gardai appear to be playing here, it seems to me like political policing.

"This only serves the purpose of demonising those who took part in the protest in Jobstown and also to discourage people from turning out at the demonstration on December 10," Mr Murphy added.

"In relation to my own role in the protest, I am happy to cooperate fully with gardai. I communicated a lot with them on the day but have not spoken to them since."

However, gardai at the scene insisted that the demonstration became violent.

One officer said: "We were spat at, assaulted and threatened by this mob, a lot of our younger female officers were traumatised by what they encountered."

Irish Independent