Hundreds attend 'Limerick Says No!' march amid heavy garda presence

HUNDREDS took the streets on Saturday afternoon under the banner of 'Limerick Says No'.

Participants gathered at Arthur’s Quay Park in the city before setting off on the march shortly after 1pm. It follows similar events in Cork and Dublin in recent weeks.

Posters advertising the march beforehand said the protest was “for the future of Ireland”.

“United for our families. Proud of our culture. Standing for our future.

"We gather not in anger, but in hope for a safe, supportive, and strong Ireland where: our children grow up free from fear, communities thrive in trust and respect, Irish people support Irish people, in spirit, work, and heart,” read the promotional material.

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Marchers walked up O’Connell Street with many waving Irish flags. There were chants of “Whose streets? Our streets”; “Whose land? Our land” and “Who is the king? Jesus”.

They turned right at the junction with Glentworth Street, onto Henry Street and back to Arthur’s Quay Park, braving a nasty rain shower on the way.

There was a heavy garda presence in the city centre and particularly at the junction of O’Connell Street and Bedford Row where an Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign rally was taking place at the same time.

A garda spokesperson said officers implemented a proportionate operation to police two public gatherings which took place in Limerick city centre.

“Over 40 members of An Garda Síochána were on duty. Uniformed frontline gardaí were supported by colleagues from the Garda National Public Order Unit, Garda Mounted Unit, Roads Policing, divisional plainclothes gardaí and gardaí from national units,” said the garda spokesperson.

No arrests have been made and no incidents have been reported at this time, they added. 

“Ireland operates as a constitutional democracy, ensuring that citizens have the right to express their beliefs and opinions freely, as well as to gather peacefully, in accordance with legal provisions,” said a garda spokesperson.