A leading member of the 'We won't pay' campaign has described an incident in which a Garda was injured during yesterday's anti-water charges protest in Dublin, as "indefensible."

Michael O'Brien was speaking in the light of yesterday's protest outside Leinster House, during which a cone was thrown at a Senator's car and a Garda was hospitalised.

Speaking on The Right Hook, the anti-austerity Councillor however accused the media of not focusing on the important issues:

Joan Burton says the incident was an attack on democratic freedom. 

Speaking tonight in Limerick, Tánaiste Joan Burton said it was "shameful":

Former Justice Minister Alan Shatter says mistakes were made in the policing of the protest.

The anti-austerity protest on Kildare Street descended into chaos yesterday evening, causing rush-hour traffic delays in the Kildare Street area.

Two Labour Party Senators - Denis Landy and Mary Moran - were forced to abandon their cars for a time when the protestors sat on the street and refused to let them leave.

It saw the car of Mr Shatter surrounded by a number of protesters, and another member was unable to leave to attend a medical appointment.

The Garda Commissioner has been requested to be present outside the Dáil today to ensure access to Leinster House for TDs, Senators and staff.

Sources say that gardaí had committed during security reviews in recent months that access to and from Leinster House would be maintained during protests.

Mr Shatter has criticised the protestors who he says engaged in "fascist thuggery."

He told the Pat Kenny Show here on Newstalk that four gardaí did not intervene when the demonstrators surrounded his car outside the gates of Leinster House.

Senator Denis Landy told Newstalk Breakfast there was no need for the disruption.