An MEP attending today's eviction protest in County Roscommon says we need safeguards in place for people in financial distress.

More than a thousand people turned out in Strokestown this afternoon calling for an end to forced evictions.

Sinn Fein's Matt Carthy says the demonstration offered support for people all around the country who are struggling in the lead up to Christmas.

"The message that the Strokestown mobilisation was setting out today is that these are policies enacted by the banks at the behest of the Government, they can be changed at the behest of the Government. What we now need to ensure is that there's a peaceful democratic community led protest movement in opposition to the Government's policy. That's the way we will achieve change."