Thousands take to the streets for water protest

HP's own Kathrin Baumbach captured the action earlier - check out the photo gallery here.
The unrest over water charges shows no signs of abating, as tens of thousands of protesters have taken to the streets of Dublin today.
Chanting the now-familiar refrain of ‘No way, we won’t pay’, people braved the elements to voice their displeasure at the charges, the establishment of Irish Water, and the Irish Government in general. Gardaí estimated the crowd to number some 30,000, but some have put the figure at more than three times that; a more accurate total won’t be available until much later.
A stage at Merrion Square formed the main hub of the protest - Damien Dempsey and Glen Hansard performed a song, while TDs including Gerry Adams and Clare Daly addressed the crowds. Large groups also gathered at the corner of Nassau Street and Kildare Street, as well as on Molesworth Street, where Garda blockades prevented them from approaching Leinster House, much to the anger of those marching.
“They’ve a riot squad to keep us out?” raged Phillip Kelly, who travelled from Newport in Mayo. “We should be allowed up to make our protest at the Dáil, at our parliament, but they’re afraid of the people. I’m 66 years of age, not some young fella throwing stones.”
Kelly, like many others, has grievances reaching far beyond the introduction of water charges; speaking to many of those gathered, the phrase ‘straw that breaks the camel’s back’ was uttered more times than could be counted.
“We can’t take anymore,” Kelly said. “I’m a pensioner – how can I live like this? My two children have to go abroad to get a job. My daughter is in London, and my son is going to Brazil. What’s here for them? Fuck all, there’s nothing, other than abuse from those people [in the Dáil] who’ve lined their own pockets.”