Thousands protest against austerity

Thousands of demonstrators marched through the streets of central Dublin at the weekend in a mass protest against austerity measures.

Garda estimates suggest between 8,000 and 10,000 joined the rally on Saturday.

Michael O’Reilly — president of the Dublin Council of Trade Unions (DCTU) — which co-organised the gathering, said it was just one step in a long campaign to reverse cutbacks.

“The evidence is clear — you cannot cut your way out of a recession,” he told protesters, outside the GPO on O’Connell St.

“On the contrary, with each cut in public spending, and with each euro taken out of the pockets of low and average earners in new or increased taxes, we are digging ourselves further into a hole.”

The demonstration set off from the Garden of Remembrance on Parnell Square, and made its way along O’Connell St, to D’Olier St and back across the River Liffey to the GPO. Rolling road closures and traffic restrictions were implemented around the city centre to accommodate the march.

Mr O’Reilly said people wanted to send a message to the Government that neither society nor the economy can afford another austerity budget on Dec 5.

The DCTU are also planning another demonstration outside the Dáil on the day.

Richard Boyd Barrett TD, of People Before Profit and the United Left Alliance, said the protest should be the start of a national campaign of resistance against austerity and bank bail-outs.

“It is abundantly clear, that half of the population if not more, simply cannot take any more,” he said.

“The fabric of our society and our economy is being ripped apart. This madness has to stop. We must cease immediately the insane policy of prioritising the interests of banks and markets over the needs of ordinary citizens.”

Members of Sinn Féin and the Socialist Party were also among the protest, which was also organised by the Campaign Against Household and Water Taxes.