Farmers try to storm FF meeting in Athlone

The hotel where Fianna Fáil is holding its annual think-in was temporarily locked down this morning when protesting farmers tried to storm the building.

Up to 200 farmers mounted a noisy protest at the meeting in Athlone and were initially cordoned into a car park opposite the entrance to the Hudson Bay Hotel.

Shortly after 10am, they surged through garda security lines and made their way towards the entrance.

Gardaí were at full stretch preventing them from entering the hotel, where a lockdown was imposed as farmers scuffled with officers outside the front door.

The situation calmed down after senior Fianna Fáil officials agreed to meet an IFA delegation to discuss cuts in agriculture spending.