Hundreds of secondary school students have held a climate change protest in Dublin city centre.
It went ahead, despite health and safety concerns from the Gardaí.
The Fridays for Future protest was backed by climate activist Greta Thunberg and former president Mary Robinson.
In a message on Twitter, she said: "It's very important that children can protest in their Fridays for Future, particularly because they can't vote in elections - and they want to draw attention to the importance of the climate crisis.
"And you're never too young to protest: the right of freedom of expression is a right at any stage".
Mary Robinson issues message of support for us after Gardaí refuse to support our strike tomorrow.
Thank you! 🙏💚 @TheElders@GretaThunberg @Fridays4future pic.twitter.com/hWLkjaPThu— Fridays For Future Dublin (@SchoolStrikesIE) February 6, 2020
However it was not without controversy.
The initial plan was for a demonstration starting at College Green in the city and to make its way towards Leinster House.
🔈🌍🌿 Secondary school students are taking part in a climate change protest close to the Dail this afternoon @SchoolStrikesIE pic.twitter.com/Ko70BR8OhJ
— Stephen Murphy (@StephenMNews) February 7, 2020
However Gardaí feared a possible crush - and warned teachers they could be prosecuted if the behaviour of their students got out of hand.
In e-mails between Gardaí and the protest organisers, Gardaí said the proposed route was "highly dangerous" and claimed school children were not properly supervised at previous climate strike protests.
They said anyone who takes a student out of school has a duty of care and could face criminal charges if the protest gets out of hand.
The march was then stripped back to a protest outside the Dáil.
Robyn and Gráinne (both 14) from Coolmine explained why they took part.
"I'm here today because I want change and I think the Government need to take some action", Robyn said.
"I feel like the Government can be doing so much more than they are - but they haven't seem to be realising how much of a problem this can actually be", Gráinne added.
Main image via @theocmouze on Twitter
