Irish protest against austerity measures

Protesters hold a placard depicting Ireland's prime minister Brian Cowen and the minister for finance, Brian Lenihan, as they march through Dublin Photograph: Peter Muhly/AFP/Getty Images

Thousands of protesters hold a rally outside the general post office in central Dublin Photograph: Peter Morrison/AP

Protesters hold placards calling for a general election in Ireland Photograph: Peter Muhly/AFP/Getty Images

Demonstrators express anger about the euro Photograph: Peter Muhly/AFP/Getty Images

Demonstrators wave flags as they row along the River Liffey in the centre of Dublin Photograph: Cathal Mcnaughton/REUTERS

Protesters burn a placard of Brian Cowen during a march to the general post office Photograph: Peter Muhly/AFP/Getty Images

Thousands of protesters hold a rally in Dublin beside the statue of James Larkin, a famous trade union leader Photograph: Peter Morrison/AP

Three year old Sionnach Langan joins thousands of people as they march through the city centre Photograph: Niall Carson/PA

A protester waves a flag bearing the Gaelic phrase 'Erin go Bragh', expressing allegiance to Ireland Photograph: Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty Images

Protesters hold anti-government placards as they march through the city Photograph: Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty Images

Thousands of protesters hold a rally at the general post office in Dublin. More than 100,000 people marched to protest against the four-year austerity plan Photograph: Peter Morrison/AP