Thousands Take To Streets To Protest Austerity Plan

In one of the largest public demonstrations in Irish history, thousands of people took to the streets of Dublin on Saturday to vent their anger over the Irish economic crisis.

For some, it was an opportunity to object to the IMF bailout.

For others, the aim was to oppose the harsh cuts in public spending and tax increases announced by the government earlier in the week.

And for others still, it was to call for a new government, or even a new type of politics in Ireland.

Despite freezing temperatures, organisers say the crowd could have numbered as many as 100,000 people, although Gardai told the media the numbers were around 50,000.

The march ended outside the GPO on O'Connell Street - a site chose for its historical resonance.

There were speeches from trade union leaders, political commentators and music from Christy Moore and Frances Black.

The demonstration was organised by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, which believes the austerity measures are too harsh and will cause further economic damage.

ICTU General Secretary David Begg said the country couldn't afford to repay the billions of euro in debt which the government was negotiating.

He said the money was simply to bail out Europe's banking system.

"We can't pay that money and we won't pay that money," he told the large crowd.

Journalist and author Fintan O'Toole said as the fate of the country was being decided, it as a case of mind over matter.

"They don't mind and we don't matter," he said to cheers, "Our rulers have no shame, and they believe we have no voice."

"We are not subjects. We are citizens. And we want our Republic back."

The demonstration passed off largely peacefully.

However, a small group of around 400 protestors marched to Leinster House after the main rally ended.

There, they lit fireworks and threw eggs and snowballs at Gardai.

Some protestors wore balaclavas and burned a poster of Taoiseach Brian Cowen. But Gardai said no arrests were made.

Trade unions say the march is just the first of a series of planned demonstrations to be held over the coming weeks.