THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE are taking part in an anti-austerity march in Dublin city this afternoon.

The demonstration, organised by the Dublin Council of Trade Unions, is protesting cutbacks ahead of the Budget this 5 December.

Gardaí have estimated that about 8,000 protesters have taken to the streets so far, while other sources say up to 18,000 are demonstrating.

The march started out being led by a woman on a horse dressed in a black cloak, resembling the figure of the grim reaper.

Various different groups are attending the march including Siptu, Shell to Sea, the Socialist Party and the United Left Alliance. Protests are being made against various austerity measures, property tax, and evictions.

Protesters were heard to chant: “Enda you won’t break our backs, we’re not paying a property tax”, and “Phil Hogan have you heard, we’re not paying we’re not scared.”

One man held a sign which read: “Enda, do you like the gathering?”

At about 3.30pm, Michael O’Reilly of the Dublin Council of Trade Unions addressed the crowd and asked everyone present to join him outside Dáil Eireann at 4pm on budget day.

Additional reporting by Christopher McKinley