Protesters who oppose the opening of an asylum centre in East Wall brought the city to a standstill tonight by blocking the Port Tunnel and Dublin Port during rush hour.
Hundreds of demonstrators have taken to the streets regularly since November 19 after it emerged an old ESB building was being used to house around 200 refugees.
Tonight’s protest saw people split into three groups - at the Port Tunnel’s entrance, the East Wall Road junction, and on Alexandra Road which is the entrance to Dublin Port.
The Port Tunnel and Dublin Port were shut down for more than 45 minutes which caused tailbacks across the capital as motorists tried to find alternative routes.
Demonstrators on the East Wall Road junction allowed a coach travelling to Swords through after a mum said her child was sick and had only been released from hospital.
Another motorist who appeared to have a panic attack was also allowed pass through.
The East Wall Committee, who organise the demonstrations, said the “protests will escalate nationwide if this government does not close this centre in its entirety.”
Speaking at last Friday’s demonstrations, local resident and solicitor Malachy Steenson said: “Two weeks ago, this issue which is the biggest issue facing this country wasn’t being talked about publicly.
“People were sitting at their dinner tables talking about it in quiet tones, afraid of the reaction they would get.
“Because of the people of East Wall and how they stood up against what was happening, this is the only topic of conversation in this country in the Dail, in the Seanad, and across the media.”
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