'Day of action' planned in Dublin to raise awareness of refugee crisis

A day of action is to be held in Dublin on Saturday in an effort to raise awareness of the mounting refugee crisis across Europe.

Thousands of people have signed an online petition with the organisation Uplift which wants the government to radically increase the number of refugees it will accept.

The petition went live 24 hours ago and it has already attracted more than 15,000 signatures.

The group's website banner advertising their day of action.

Director of Uplift Siobhan O'Donoghue said the Government's response so far has been extremely weak.

She hopes to have a series of events across the country to raise awareness.

Ms O'Donoghue said: "Saturday has been declared a day of action in solidarity with the refugees involved in this crisis.

"It will involve a gathering at the famine memorial at 1pm, and we are looking for volunteers to do similar events at famine memorials right across the country."