Damien Dempsey and Glen Hansard part of group that took over NAMA building in Dublin

A NAMA controlled building has been taken over by a group hoping to use the building to house the homeless.

High profile figures such as musicians Damien Dempsey and Glen Hansard and actor John Connors were present at Tara Street where a group entered Apollo House.

Gardaí have released a statement saying they were called to an incident at Tara Street at approximately 12.30am this morning.

They said a number of people had moved into a property, reportedly Apollo House, and they said the incident was 'peaceful'.

Gardaí are no longer at the scene, but are liasing closely with the parties involved.

Apollo House was formerly used by the Department of Social Protection, but was vacated last year.

The Irish Housing Network says it led the action at the NAMA owned building to provide accommodation for the city's homeless.