Thousands rally against austerity

Thousands of trade unionists have taken to the streets to insist that Ireland’s multi-billion debt woes have not been solved by this week’s deal with Europe’s banking chiefs.

Long-planned Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) rallies to protest at spending cuts brought about by the banking crisis went ahead despite the negotiated changes to how the state repays the colossal bill racked up from its rescue of toxic lenders.