Updated 6pm.

A PROTEST GOT underway in Dublin this afternoon demonstrating against the jailing of five water protesters on Thursday.

Three were sentenced to 28 days in prison and two were handed down 56 days.

It’s now understood that two prisoners, Derek Byrne and Paul Moore are on hunger strike.

The Dublin Says No Facebook Page has released a statement on behalf of Derek Byrne which states that they have been locked up for the past three days ‘on complete lock down’ in Wheatfield Prison.

We have taken the steps to go on hunger strike and have been on hunger strike since yesterday, If we are not moved back to Mountjoy Training Unit as we were told we would be then on Monday morning we will be taking it further and refusing fluids until we are moved back to Mountjoy. It is harder for our families to make the journey to Clondalkin to visit us

A spokesperson for the Irish Prison Service told TheJournal.ie:

“The Irish Prison Service does not comment on individual prisoner cases.

Despite arrests and jailings thousands protest completely peacefully in Dublin at #irishwater two jailed protesters on hunger strike
— Rory Hearne (@RoryHearne) February 21, 2015

Rory Hearne / Twitter

Thousands attended today’s march which was organised by a number of local campaign groups.

Dublin anti-water charge rally hears two jailed protesters are on hunger strike

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(Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland)

A Facebook page called ‘Release the five! Stop political policing! March To Mountjoy‘ stated:

This is for the release of the five jailed protesters, against the continuing dawn raid arrests of peaceful protesters, the political policing and demonisation of water charges protesters across the state, and against the water charges. It will march to Mountjoy prison.

Anti-Austerity Alliance TD Paul Murphy said the protest is to “stop political policing”.

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March to Mountjoy prison on Saturday. Assemble 2pm at Central Bank. Release the five! Stop #PoliticalPolicing! Please RT.
— Paul Murphy (@paulmurphy_TD) February 19, 2015

Paul Murphy / Twitter

Meanwhile another protest got underway outside the Fine Gael Conference in Mayo.

The protest appeared to be organised by the People Before Profit movement with several people wearing luminous PBP branded bibs and councillor Brid Smith among those present.
https://vine.co/v/OQAHOpqEPzt

Originally posted 2pm.

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Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Read: Some protesters gathered outside the Fine Gael conference – and a journalist was asked to leave>