THERE’S A LARGE Garda presence on Kildare Street this evening —- with the Public Order Unit deployed, amid tense scenes.

Officers have been maintaining a heavy presence in front of a barrier at the bottom of Kildare Street, with crowds, some carrying Eirigi flags, gathered on Nassau Street since lunchtime.

Gardaí are also filming the protesters

An officer was injured on the street earlier this afternoon — receiving facial injuries.

A spokesman confirmed the incident, but had no further information on the extent of those injuries.

He’s being treated in hospital.

Separately, a group of protesters have blocked off O’Connell Bridge.

There’s traffic gridlock in the entire area — and motorists are being told to avoid the quays entirely.

Protesters have also been attempting to use barriers to block traffic further east, at Liberty Hall.

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Additional reporting, Hugh O’Connell on Kildare St.

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