A garda stationed at Mountjoy in Dublin has denied three charges of assault causing harm to three students in 2002.
Donal Corcoran is accused of assaulting Oisín Breen, Katie Crean and Brian Haydn in separate incidents at the Reclaim the Streets rally in the Dame Street area of Dublin on 6 May 2002.
A jury of eight men and four women was sworn-in at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court this morning to hear his trial.
The alleged victims identified Mr Corcoran later from video footage and from pictures in the newspapers.
It is claimed that he struck Mr Haydn a severe blow to the top of the head which left him dazed and in need of stitches.
Katie Crean claims she too was struck on the head by Mr Corcoran, while Mr Brean says he was hit across the back and arms by the accused and was taken to hospital by ambulance.
Mr Corcoran denies the charges.
During the course of the trial the jury will view video footage of the day and hear evidence from each of the students claiming they were assaulted.
