Around 100 peace protesters gathered at the American Embassy in Dublin this afternoon to lay a wreath marking the deaths of up to 10,000 people during the US-led war in Iraq.
The event was organised by the Peace and Neutrality Alliance, which encompasses groups such as AfrI, the Cuba Support Group, ICTU, Cómhlámh, the East Timor Ireland Solidarity Support Campaign, Sinn Féin and the Workers' Party.
Anti-war protesters gather at Dublin's Parnell Square today
High-profile left-of-centre politicians took turns reading names of those who have died during the year-long occupation of Iraq, but political speeches were kept to a minimum.
Among those who took part were the Labour MEP Mr Proinsias De Rossa, Ms Ivana Bacik, Reid Professor of Law at Trinity College, the Socialist Party TD Mr Joe Higgins, Green Party MEP Ms Patricia McKenna and member of the Sinn Féin ard chomhairle Ms Mary Lou McDonald.
Mr Roger Cole of PANA said today's event was deliberately low-key. It was not a time for speeches by politicians but was designed simply to mark the year's anniversary of the US-led war and to remember those who have died.
"We didn't publicise it widely," he told ireland.com. "But we want to draw attention to the fact that over 10,000 Iraqis have been killed in this war. It was just a gesture, but when you hear all the names being read out, it is quite moving." The names read out were not only those of Iraqi citizens who died but also of American and British soldiers and other nationalities.
In a statement, Mr De Rossa called for "constructive dialogue" with those who wanted a "unipolar world", which he said was shorthand for "a US world".
"This issue must be addressed by the European Union. Those of us seeking election to the European Parliament cannot seriously ask people to support us and at the same time pretend that the union does not have a role, or that we have nothing to say about the direction in which the world is going. This is of the utmost importance. We are talking about a choice between a world constantly on the brink of war or constantly working to make peace durable.
"Life is still cheap in the Middle East and we will continue to count the cost of the Iraq war for a very long time. We need to get to grips with our different worldviews on each side of the Atlantic. We need to impress on the United States that a law-based world order is far more secure for them as well as for us than a Pax Americana. It is essential to our mutual interests that we do this as a matter of urgency."
Meanwhile, protesters gathered in Dublin city centre at 3 p.m. to to mark the first annversary of the the war on Iraq and to oppose the ongoing occupation of the country.
The march was organised as part of today's "Global Day of Action" against the war. Demonstrations have already taken place in Australia. In Britain, protesters scaled Big Ben in London and two men were arrested as they descended the landmark clock tower. An estimated 20,000 people have turned out for the London march against the war.
More than 250 demonstrations are expected to take place in cities and towns across the US.
The Dublin protest, organised by the Irish Anti-War Movement (IAWM) in conjunction with the NGO-Peace Alliance, attracted around 1,100 people this afternoon, lower than was expected.
Bad weather, including rain and very high winds, may have affected the turnout. Protesters travelled in small groups from Galway, Donegal, Cork and other cities to take part.