A garda has pleaded not guilty to assaulting an RTÉ cameraman who was filming a violent protest in Dublin.

Garda Sean Lucey, who is based in Crumlin in Dublin, is alleged to have assaulted cameraman Colm Hand causing him harm on 6 February 2016.

He is also accused of damaging Mr Hand's camera.

Gda Lucey appeared before Judge Michael Walsh at Dublin District Court where he was served with a book of evidence and sent forward for trial.

The incident allegedly occurred when gardaí baton charged protesters who turned up in response to the launch of an Irish branch of far-right European anti-Islamic group Pegida.

A complaint was made through Mr Hand’s employer to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, which had successfully applied to the district court to issue a summons against Gda Lucey on charges of assault and criminal damage.

The district court had heard Mr Hand had attended hospital and suffered bruising to his groin.

The Director of Public Prosecutions directed "summary disposal on a guilty plea only".

This meant the case would only remain in the district court if he pleaded guilty otherwise he would face trial before a judge and jury in the circuit court.

Defence solicitor Liz Hughes told the district court today that her client is pleading not guilty to both charges.

Ms Hughes made an application for legal aid and furnished the court with a statement of Gda Lucey’s means.

Judge Walsh held that given the complexity and serious nature of the case, legal aid should be granted.

The defence had been granted an order for disclosure of prosecution evidence including CCTV footage ahead of a hearing on Tuesday.