Noel Baker: They gathered as if it would make Covid go away

Anti-lockdown protest in Cork city centre drew a crowd of more than 450 people amid a large garda presence

People attending the anti-lockdown protest rally on St Patrick's Street in Cork city centre on Saturday afternoon. Picture: Larry Cummins

One byproduct of Saturday's anti-lockdown event in Cork city was that Van Morrison might have gained a few fans. Even the notoriously grumpy singer might raise a smile at that.

Van's 'As I Walked Out', from his critically panned new album, was played over a tinny speaker as the organisers from a group called the People's Convention set up outside Brown Thomas, the crowd expectant and building, despite having been urged to stay away.