Tens of thousands gather in Dublin city centre for water charges protests
Tens of thousands of anti-water charge protestors have descended on Dublin for the first demonstration of its kind in almost six months.
Organised by Right2Water, the protest is taking place in two different locations in the city centre, at Heuston Station and O'Connell Street (start 2pm).
Speaking ahead of the march TD Paul Murphy (pictured) from the Anti Austerity Alliance said it would demonstrate to Irish Water and to the Government that the movement has not gone away.
He also said that if the utility were not scrapped, the next Government would face increasing pressure from householders to abolish all charges.
"At the moment, 57% of people have refused to pay (and) that figure can easily rise as others realise not to throw good money after bad, and join the boycott," he said.
"It means if this Government doesn't bow to the inevitable and abolish water charges before the election, it means the next Government would be under really immense pressure," he said.
Annie Locke of Right2Water Kerry, who travelled up to Dublin on the bus to attend today's protest said there were 49 on one bus, with another bus and carpooling arrangements transporting more to the capital.
