Heavy garda presence in Dublin for planned protests

Pictured is Willow O'Brien, 5 years old, looking at the Gardai on O'Connell Street in Dublin city centre today. Photograph: Leon Farrell / RollingNews.ie

A heightened Garda presence was very much in evidence in the early afternoon of St Patrick’s Day in Dublin, with Government Buildings sealed off in all directions.

Despite the expectation of up to eight protests taking place across the capital, the city centre remained calm and relaxed, with many people out and about enjoying the bank holiday and its unseasonal sunshine.