Water charge protesters have been urged not to pay the tax at a mass demonstration in Dublin.

According to the Anti-Austerity Alliance 100,000 people converged on the city centre this afternoon calling for an end to the charge which came into force this month.

Photos: Francesca Comyn

There was a large security presence on the streets, and a Garda helicopter in the sky, as crowds made their way between the GPO and the Dáil. Widescale traffic restrictions were in place around the city but all roads have since re-opend.

Reporter Francesca Comyn is down among the marchers:

People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett says the amount of people that turned out sends a clear message to the Government:

Hundreds of protesters started gathering earlier in the afternoon in advance of the demonstration:

Video and photos: Sue Murphy

Originally posted at 1:26pm