The protest vote is the voice of austerity-weary middle Ireland

In trying to further discredit participants who have taken part in the wave of recent protests across the country the government have tried to label them as members of Sinn Féin, and in the process are likening them to fascists. 

In doing this they are adding insult to injury as they are not prepared to acknowledge that the vast majority of protestors belong to independent groups who are not affiliated to any party in particular.

It is my experience that the vast majority of the protesters range from middle age to elderly pensioners, really genuine decent people who have had enough of being down trodden and talked down to by the political elite while they and their children are expected to live on the crumbs from the masters table as the golden circles and the cossetted elite continue to be catered for.