Updated 9.40pm
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A NUMBER OF Oireachtas members abandoned their cars as they were prevented from leaving Leinster House due to a protest this evening.
Labour senators Denis Landy and Mary Moran were among those unable to leave. Landy’s car was reportedly damaged in the incident.
Moran told TheJournal.ie she was “horrified at the violence and animosity shown to gardaí” and described the experience as “frightening”.
She added that it was “a very sad day for democracy”.
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Hundreds of protesters gathered on Kildare Street this evening, to protest water charges and austerity measures.
One female Garda was hit in the face when a traffic cone was thrown across the street, and had to receive medical attention. A protester is also believed to have been injured.
The crowd chanted anti-government slogans before finally dispersing when the gardaí agreed to do the same.
Anti-Austerity Alliance TD Paul Murphy addressed the crowd shortly after 9.15pm, telling protesters: “Our strength lies outside the Dáil.”
Some members of the Oireachtas, including former minister Alan Shatter, were then able to leave in the Nassau Street direction after gardaí formed a cordon.
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Earlier, extra security was placed outside Leinster House after a number of politicians were blocked by protesters from entering and leaving.
Gardaí confirmed that a man in his mid 30s was arrested under public order offences at 2:30pm, before being charged and released. He is due to appear in court at a later date.
Members of the Garda Public Order Unit arrived after protesters blocked some politicians’ cars.
Gardaí had to intervene to allow Shatter to drive past. Photocall Ireland’s Sam Boal captured these images outside the gates:
The former minister took to Twitter to hit out at the demonstration:
This evening’s protest was organised by the Non-Payment Network, which advocates a boycott of Irish Water bills.
Several protesters with Greek flags had been demonstrating peacefully earlier this afternoon:
Gardaí were placed in front of the closed gates of Leinster House this evening.
When the water charges demonstration did get underway, several hundred protesters were on hand displaying banners and flags.
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Murphy also addressed the crowd before later speaking to the media.
- with reporting by Órla Ryan and Cliodhna Russell
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