Sinn Féin is calling for the "immediate release" of jailed water protestors.

Dublin TD Dessie Ellis said the detention of water protestors is wrong and they have been jailed for peaceful protest and for exercising their democratic rights as citizens.

Mr Ellis said: "This jail where we gather today has seen thousands of people locked up for political reasons in the past 150 years – republicans, women's rights campaigners, trade unionists, Concerned Parents Against Drugs, the Rossport Five and now campaigners against water charges and austerity.

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"As well as these jailings we equally condemn the dawn raids on citizens in Tallaght. What we are now witnessing is an effort by the political establishment in this country to put the movement against water charges and austerity in general off the streets.

"The corrupt politicians, bankers and developers who destroyed the Irish economy have not spent a day in jail. But Irish citizens who take a stand against austerity are locked up.

"Our message is very clear – this Government will not succeed in putting people off the streets, it will not succeed in forcing unwanted water meters on communities and it will not succeed in imposing the double taxation of water charges."

(CD/JP)