85,000 march against Water Charges in Dublin

AN ESTIMATED 85,000 people marched through the streets of Dublin today as part of the Right2Water campaign in opposition to Water Charges

Two marches departing from Heuston Station and Connolly Station met on O'Connell Street where they were addressed by a number of speakers including Brendan Ogle of Unite Trade Union, Mandate's John Douglas and Mary Lou McDonald of Sinn Féin.

Speaking to the huge crowd, Mary Lou McDonald said:

"This Government thought with their Conservation Grant and heavy-handed legislation they could purchase half of us and intimidate the other half. Well the fools, the fools, they underestimate us at their peril. Because now is our time, now is our moment,this is our country, this is our Republic in the making and we will not tolerate their arrogant bully-boy tactics any longer."

"Our demand is an end to Water Charges and Irish Water and we want a society based on equality, decency and fairness"