AA ROADWATCH has warned motorists planning on travelling through Dublin, Cork, Galway, Waterford, Limerick and Sligo today to be wary of the probability of traffic disruption due to protest marches in those areas today.

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions is holding coordinated ‘Not Our Debt’ protests in the country’s five cities and in Sligo to protest at the nationalisation of banking debts – particularly following the promissory note arrangement which will see former Anglo debts become official government debt.

“As the Six Nations are coming to Dublin this weekend, we expect a lot of extra people in Dublin city centre,” said Aoife Carragher of AA Roadwatch.

“It is important for motorists to be aware of planned closures and to make alternative arrangements for getting into and around the city.”

In Dublin, closures are already in place at Merrion Square – and have been since yesterday evening – ahead of the protest, which assembles at Cook Street at 1:30pm and travels along Nassau Street before arriving at that square. The event is expected to take about two hours. (Click here to follow the route.)

Parking restrictions along the route, and along adjoining streets, have been in place since last night.

The Dublin Bus terminus at Merrion Square will be moved to Fitzwilliam Square Lower for the duration of the event, with the 46 route diverted during the protest.

In Cork, a similar protest will begin at Parnell Place at 2pm, continuing through Merchants Quay, Patrick Street and finishing at the Grand Parade which will end at 4:30pm. Rolling road closures will occur.

In Waterford, a protest march will take a route from the Glen to Bridge Street, on to The Quay and ending at John Roberts Square. That march begins at 1:30pm.

The Limerick protest begins at Sarsfield House on Arthur’s Quay at 1pm, travelling up O’Connell St to Hartstronge St. Disruptions are likely until 3pm.

Galway‘s protest kicks off at 1:30pm at the Cathedral on University Road, travelling over Salmon Weir Bridge, through Francis Street, Eglinton St, Shop St, Quay St, and towards Spanish Arch.

A formal route has not yet been agreed for Sligo, though protestors are to assemble at 1pm at O’Connell Street. AA Roadwatch said the town was usually a busy spot for traffic, and that therefore disruption should be expected.

Traffic updates throughout the day will be tweeted at @aaroadwatch and be updated at www.aaroadwatch.ie.