Some of the major protests seen in O'Connell Street in the past decade:
November/December 2000
Taxi-drivers, in fury over the deregulation of the industry, caused severe disruption to the city centre in a series of protests and road blockades. O'Connell Street was the scene for much of the activity.
April 2000 An impromptu anti-racist demonstration, the first organised exclusively by asylum-seekers and refugees, attracted more than 70 marchers. These included 16-year-old Paul Abayoumi, a Nigerian beaten up in a chip shop by racist attackers, whose assault led to the demonstration.
October 1999 On the third day of the nurses' pay strike, more than 10,000 nurses and supporters showed up to march. Organisers reckoned it galvanised the members into continued solidarity and showed the public and the Government they were serious about the strike.
October 1997 Taxi-drivers paralysed the city when they blocked the capital's roads from Parnell Square to St Stephen's Green in protest at the increase in their licence fee. They were strongly condemned by businesses and workers in the city for "holding the city to ransom".
April 1997 Although the turnout was disappointing, the Garda demonstration as part of the "Blue Flu" action demanding a commission of inquiry on pay was a landmark, being the first public demonstration in the history of the force.
March 1993 In what was the largest single protest against paramilitary violence since the mid-70s, New Consensus and Peace Train called a spontaneous peace march in protest against the IRA bombing in Warrington that killed two children, and the loyalist killings in Northern Ireland. This was the first mass manifestation of public outrage at the IRA campaign of violence, and 20,000 people turned out.
June 1993 Gay Rights activists participated in a Gay Pride march to celebrate the decriminalisation of homosexuality.
August 1993 The Association of Combined Residents protested outside Telecom Eireann's head office on O'Connell Street against increases in local calls.
June 1992 There was no violence but open hostility when more than 20,000 Youth Defence and anti-abortion protesters met pro-choice activists during the acrimonious debate following the X-case decision of the Supreme Court that led to the referendum on travel and information.