There were minor scuffles outside the Ardilaun Hotel in Galway on Monday after a group of protesters gathered to 'greet' Fianna Fail politicians attending the party's annual pre-Dail think-in.

Members of the campaign group 'Galway Says No To Health Cuts' mobilized at short notice to protest against the government's disastrous policy of healthcare cutbacks. One protester was arrested after an egg was thrown at the car of local T.D. Frank Fahey.

There was a heavy garda presence at the hotel, which was completely off-limits to the public, amid fears of a repeat of the scenes witnessed last year's event in Athlone when riot police were deployed to repel a protest by hundreds of angry farmers.

The protest in Galway came two days after 600 people marched from the gates of Merlin Park Hospital to Eyre Square to demonstrate against healthcare cutbacks.

A further protest is planned for Saturday September 25th, meeting at 2pm outside Galway Cathedral and marching to the University College Hospital.