Anti-immigration protesters are staging a sit down protest on O’Connell Bridge in central Dublin having marched back from the area around the Dáil this afternoon.
A rival anti-racism march made its way over the bridge and up O’Connell Street shortly before the anti-immigration activists gathered and commenced the sit down demonstration.
Hundreds of anti-immigration protesters earlier walked through Dublin city towards the Dáil after gathering outside the GPO on O’Connell Street for a demonstration carrying tricolour flags, “Erin Go Bragh” banners and “You’ll Never Beat the Irish”.
A garda spokesperson said they were unaware of any arrests stemming from the protests in Dublin but images show that people were detained, at least temporarily, by gardaí at the scene.
“We should be like Germany, close the borders,” one protester said. The group broke out in chants of “Whose streets? Our streets” and “Get them out, get them out”.
They assembled halfway down Molesworth Street facing Leinster House, with garda barriers preventing them getting close to the gates.
More than 100 anti-racism counter-demonstrators gathered close by at the junction of Dawson Street and Molesworth Street. Participants loudly chanted “far right loyalists, get off our streets”.
Dozens of gardaí remain in the area to ensure rival protesters are kept apart. Garda public order units have been deployed to the scene.
Rival anti-immigration and anti-racism protesters have since dispersed from the area around the Dáil, with both groups setting off in the direction of O’Connell Street.