The papers are reporting this as a fact, but it’s hard to say what really happened at this stage.
Mr De Rossa later told gardai that he had been knocked to the ground and injured his hand, which bled. He also alleged that some of the group sat on him, but said he did not wish to make a formal complaint about the incident.
However, anti-referendum anti-Treaty campaigners seem to be telling a different story.
“one of the anti-treaty campaigners alleged he had been assaulted by Mr De Rossa.
Gardai are examining CCTV footage taken from cameras in the area and will also seek to interview everybody who was there.
It is understood that Mr De Rossa tried to push away a camcorder being used to film him as he left the building.
Mr Costello also said that the gang of alleged attackers had camcorders, which they had used to film some of the meeting, although he was unsure if they filmed the attack.”