MEMBERS OF IRISH Republican Voice, Republican Sinn Féin and other groups are staging a sit-down protest on O’Connell Bridge this evening, with a number of demonstrators blocking traffic in both directions.

Up to 10 people are sitting and lying on the road as part of a rally organised to “declare ownership of Ireland”, while another 30 to 40 stand nearby and hold banners.

There are also a number of bystanders who are not participating in the protest.

Gardaí have not interfered with the majority protesters and have advised motorists to avoid both the north and south quays. There has been massive disruptions to traffic, mainly impacting Dublin Bus vehicles and passengers.

Some protesters, who also attended the earlier Lockout protest at the Dáil, have also attempted to block cars as they try to make their way down the quays.

There are about 25 gardaí on scene and three people have reportedly been taken into custody.

(YouTube: Sinéad O’Carroll/TheJournal.ie)