TENS OF THOUSANDS of protesters gathered this afternoon in Dublin city centre to demand a referendum on the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill.

Some 35,000 people took to the streets today, according to official Garda estimates. Meanwhile, pro-life campaigning group The Life Institute put that figure 60,000, saying that the march was the “biggest pro-life rally ever seen in Ireland”.

Speaking to the Rally for Life crowd today, political activits and entreprenuer Declan Ganley called for the Bill to be put to the people in a referendum under Article 27 of the Constitution.

“Let those Senators and TDs use the power granted to them under article 27 of our constitution to let the people speak on this bill… Let us vote. Let us pass judgement on Enda Kenny’s abortion bill in a referendum. He says his book is the constitution,” Ganley said.

Ahead of the protest, Archbishops Diarmuid Martin and Eamon Martin celebrated Mass in St Savior’s Church, Dominick St. During the Homily, Diarmuid Martin said: “Every human life is unique and must be fostered and protected and cherished.”