Gardai have arrested seven men in connection with violent incidents near Leinster House on the first day of the Dail in September.

Raids were carried out across Dublin this morning by armed garda detectives.

This high-profile operation followed an investigation by a senior garda officer into violence outside the Dail as TDs returned to work on September 18th.

Raids were carried out across Dublin early this morning by several specialist garda units.

First day of new Dail term saw scuffles outside Leinster House

The arrests follow an investigation into public order disturbances on the first day of the Dail. Protests that day lead to scuffles between demonstrators and the garda riot squad.

A number of people were injured when a small group tried to breach garda cordons.

The men arrested are aged between 14 and 35 and being are questioned under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.

The suspects are being held at various garda stations.