An anti-racism rally is due to take place in Waterford this afternoon is response to a number of demonstrations against the city's Roma community last weekend.

Almost 200 people gathered outside the home of a large Roma family - including toddlers and children - and staged a protest in which windows were smashed and the doors broken in.

Some Roma families had to be evacuated from their homes and are now living at an undisclosed address.

Sinn Fein Senator for Waterford, David Cullinane, is calling for today's anti-racism rally to be cancelled, he says it's vital that peace is maintained in the city.

Yesterday, Shona Murray spoke to Newstalk Breakfast from Waterford and discussed the events that had transpired over the weekend.