ALL ROADS led to Leinster House yesterday as tens of thousands of OAPs and students gathered to vent their anger at Government spending cuts.
In a day of protest not seen since the heady days of the PAYE demonstrations 20 years ago, Kildare Street was transformed into a heaving mass of anger.
"Maybe this is what the revolution looks like," gulped one younger TD, tucked safely inside the front gates of the Dáil.
The grey army of pensioners was the first to descend on the gates. The numbers swelled quickly to an estimated 15,000 thanks to specially organised trains and buses, as well as taxis who were offering free journeys to the over-70s.
The Tara Disabled Mineworkers' and Pensioners' Association arrived in their yellow hard hats; the Mayo Active Retirement Associations strode purposefully into the throng, looking grim and determined; an aging Che Guevara lookalike led the Socialist Party's battalion of protesters.
"Just shoot us, it would be quicker", read one banner held by
an elderly man. "A Budget to die for" read another.
It didn't matter that the Government caved in a day earlier and promised medical cards to 95 per cent of over-70s. The pensioners were mad as hell - and they were going to let everyone know about it.
"We want them out for even thinking what they thought," said Helen Ekins (73) from south Dublin.
"They'll never be voted in again, I swear," said pensioner Theresa Humphries from Drumcondra, Dublin, who said she would never trust Fianna Fáil again.
When Minister for Older People Máire Hoctor stood up on the back of an articulated lorry to speak, it was brief. "On behalf of the Government, I want to say . . ."
It hardly mattered what she was saying. No one could head her over the din of pensioners chanting "liar, liar" and "Fianna Fáil out".
Fianna Fáil TD Michael O'Kennedy decided to risk leaving the confines of Leinster House. It wasn't a wise move. He was quickly engulfed in a sea of finger-jabbing and chanting.
Even Labour's former finance minister Ruairí Quinn was being heckled by some of the crowd - until someone pointed out he was a member of the Opposition.
The student protest later on was a noisy affair too, as up to 10,000 voiced their anger over the hikes in registration fees.
"I can't afford €6,000, Minister", read one placard.
It was the display of pensioner power that will live longest in the memory, though. As it ended, many were still giddy with anger and excitement.
"Where'll we go now?" one older man asked his wife.
"I think I need a nice cup of tea," she said.
