Between 100 and 150 people took part in a vigil in Dublin against possible war in Iraq at the weekend.
The vigil, outside the Department of Foreign Affairs on Saturday, was organised as an alternative to the protest at Shannon Airport, during which 10 people were arrested.
While the Irish Anti-War Movement (IAWM) and the Grassroots Network Against War (GNAW) attended the Shannon protest, Dublin's vigil was attended by the Peace and Neutrality Alliance (PANA), the NGO Peace Alliance, Trocáire, and members of the Labour Party, Sinn Féin and the Green Party.
Despite driving rain the crowd of more than 100 stood for an hour holding banners and placards, with slogans such as "Westmeath says No To War" and, in reference to comments by the Tánaiste, Ms Harney, "Hard Left My Arse". There were no speeches
A spokesman for PANA, Mr Roger Cole, said he was pleased with the turnout. "We didn't have much time to organise it. I really didn't expect over 100,000 people were going to have to come out and march twice to stop this Government turning Shannon into a US airbase, but maybe we are.
"I'm amazed by our Government collaborating with this war," said Mr Cole during the protest. "This is the first time since Redmond that an Irish government has supported an imperial war."
He described as "amazing" the manner in which "Blair and our own Government lecture us about wanting to impose democracy in Iraq, and yet they won't listen to their own people".
Labour Party TD Mr Michael D Higgins said he was "very pleased" with the number at the vigil, adding that the anti-war momentum would "continue and roll on".
Though due to speak at the Shannon protest, he opted not to take part amid concerns about possible violence.
Praising the decision of the IAWM to stage a separate march at Shannon to that of the GNAW - whose members led to an attempt to tear down the airport's perimeter fence - Mr Higgins said he was impressed that the marches "stayed separate".
He thought the use of horses and dogs and the availability of water cannon by the Garda at Shannon was "excessive". He said there would be further anti-war protests, including some to coincide with International Woman's Day next weekend.
