More than 5,000 take part in 'frontline' protest

Organisers say more than 5,000 frontline public sector workers took part in this afternoon's protest through Dublin city centre against proposed pay cuts.

Just days after tens of thousands of public sector workers demonstrated across the country, a massive march three times bigger than expected weaved its way across Dublin.

In passionate speeches outside the Dáil, the Government was accused of protecting the wealthy while targeting the ordinary worker.

Eugene Dennehy, deputy general secretary of the Prison Officers Association, said public sector workers were engaged in a battle.

“It’s a battle for our survival,” he said. “I think today we have sent a signal to the Government that we are prepared to fight that battle for as long as it takes.”

Organised by the 24/7 Frontline Services Alliance, the march began in Parnell Square and moved through the city centre to Molesworth Street, lead by a vintage ambulance, garda car and fire engine.

Dublin Fire Brigade Pipe Band also performed while gardaí wore baseball caps with the garda insignia, as they are prohibited from protesting while in uniform.

Trade union chiefs handed in a letter of protest to the Department of Finance for Brian Lenihan.

Gardaí said that between 3,000 and 3,500 people took part in the march though organisers estimated the turnout at more than 5,000.

Mr Dennehy said public sector workers had been vilified, degraded and insulted by certain sections of society.

Des Kavanagh, general secretary of the Psychiatric Nurses Association and 24/7 chairman, said workers did not want to strike but he warned the Government not to test them.

He said TDs will be canvassed across the country on the protest campaign and the results will be published.

Jack O’Connor, President of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, claimed a wealthy elite in the country were not prepared to shoulder their share of the economic burden.

“They have decided that they are not going to make any contribution to the resolution of the enormous problems with which we all face,” Mr O’Connor said.

“And they are quite determined about that and we have to make it absolutely clear to them that we are equally determined that they will make a contribution whether they like it or not.”

Mr O’Connor said the Government was committing the country to an unrelenting period of debt through Nama, which he branded heinous.

As union chiefs addressed the crowd ambulance personnel stood at the front of the march holding a stretcher and skeleton, bearing the slogans “the country needs resuscitation and ”frontline services cut to the bone“.

Among the protesters was 41-year-old nurse Eilish Corcoran from Cork, dressed in an old-style nurse’s uniform.

“We had nothing to do with the fall of the Celtic Tiger, we never saw sight nor sound of it, yet we’re the ones being asked to pay for the mismanagement by Government of the economy,” she said.

Ms Corcoran said she was already down €360 a month in cutbacks.

“Wake up and treat your workforce with respect. We will take our fair share, I’ve no problem doing that,” she said.

Tipperary garda sergeant John Byrne – a 34-year veteran of the force – said public sector workers had already made pay sacrifices.

“It is unfair that Government can keep coming back and demanding that we provide more money to their coffers, to bail out the likes of the financial institutions of this country.”

Firefighter Conor Buckley, 43, from Cork city travelled to the march with 30 colleagues.

“I think it’s just hands off now. Leave our wages alone. Everyone has paid their fair share now.”