Anti-war protests In Ireland and around world
Up to 10,000 people gathered at an anti-war rally on Dame Street in Dublin. The Dublin rally later made its way to Government buildings.
The Congress of Trade Unions backed the rally, as did a coalition representing the main Muslim organisations.
Speakers described the overnight bombing of Iraq as an obscenity.
A number of protestors broke away from the anti-war demonstration and threw red paint bombs at the Progressive Democrats headquarters on South Fredrick Street.
Later, the walls of Government buildings were also spattered with red paint.
Smaller rallies are taking place in other centres around the country.
Cork
Gardaí in Cork said that between 1,500 and 2,000 people took part in the protest in the city. Organisers claimed the total was double that estimate.
The demonstrators lay down on Patrick Street for a short time, but Gardaí said that the protest was peaceful.
Belfast
Up to 4,000 people attended the anti-war rally in Belfast.
The Assistant General Secretary of ICTU, Peter Bunting, told the crowd the war is unnecessary, immoral and illegal.
Trade unionists, student activists, representatives of the North's Muslim community and several peace groups have taken part in the rally, which was also attended by a number of leading nationalist politicians.
Waterford
In Waterford around 300 people took part in an anti-war protest.
Speakers included Br Columbanus from the Franciscan Friary in Waterford, who was a member of the British Air Force during the Second World War.
He likened last nights bombing of Baghdad to that of the bombing of Dresden during the World War Two and asked people to pray for peace.
