Gardaí out in force as protesters outnumbered

A massive Garda presence around the Dáil dwarfed those protesting against the seventh successive austerity budget.

About 850 officers were on duty near Leinster House as several streets approaching the complex were blocked off for most of the day.

The dog unit, riot squad, and other specialist sections of the force were deployed as senior officers prepared for an expected major demonstration that never materialised.