THERE WAS A stand-off between gardaí and protesters outside the Royal Convention Centre in Dublin earlier today, where Fianna Fáil is hosting its annual Ard Fheis.

A national march for Palestine took place this afternoon in the city. Before the main march began, a separate protest at the Ard Fheis was organised by the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC).

The IPSC said the pre-march protest would see protesters “greet [Fianna Fáil] attendees with chants and banners demanding sanctions on Israel as they arrive to the second day of meetings”.

A contingent of protesters arrived outside the centre. Public order gardaí forcibly removed a number of protesters attempting to gain access to the centre through its gate.

There were chants of “shame on you” as gardaí cleared the area.

Later on, protesters made their way from the Garden of Remembrance on Parnell Square, and marched from there to Leinster House. TD Richard Boyd Barrett was among speakers at the march.

Protesters are advocating for the passing of the Occupied Territories Bill, as well as an end to the US use of Shannon Airport and the cancellation of Ireland’s Nations League match against Israel.

Contacted for comment on its policing of the protest, a spokeswoman for An Garda Síochána said: “Gardaí responded to report of a public order incident at a commercial premises in Dublin 8, Co Dublin, that occurred today.

“Investigations are ongoing.”