Gardai in Dublin have been working relentlessly through the night in order to secure the streets as it is expected that tens of thousands of people are to march in Merion Square today in a major demonstration against water charges.
The protest has been organised by the the Right-2-Water campaign group who are demanding that the government scrap the recently enforced water charges. The protest is take place despite a government decision to review and place a cap on the new charges. Organisers say the protest will begin at the Merrion Square entrance to Leinster House at 1pm.
They also say the main part of the protest, will run from 1pm to 4pm this afternoon, but they have arranged a series of smaller stages to accommodate people who may want to attend after work.