Campaign groups organise counter demonstrations

Parade protest: A small protest group calling itself "The Unmanageables" and dressed as women from the 1916 Rising held a demonstration on O'Connell Bridge during yesterday's parade.

Handing out copies of the Proclamation, they said their main aim was to assert Ireland's "right to national freedom and sovereignty", as declared by the leaders of the first government.

The group also handed out badges with black shamrocks to symbolise mourning for those who died "as a result of Irish collaboration in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars".

Glenda Cimino, dressed as republican trade unionist Helena Maloney, said the group was linking the Proclamation to current social issues and highlighting areas where work needed to be done. She said they opposed US military planes landing in Shannon, and the road being built "through Tara" and wanted to highlight the role of women as a peaceful force.

An alternative parade, to be held at noon today outside the GPO, has been organised by Afri, an Irish group that promotes human rights, peace and justice.

Focusing on the condition of the health service, the event will feature a patient on a hospital trolley being pushed past the GPO. Well-known faces who are expected to take part include playwright Donal O'Kelly, actress Sorcha Fox and poet Theo Dorgan. Protest co-ordinator Joe Murray said the small group would be in stark contrast to yesterday's display of military strength.

"In a time of a booming economy, we have a dying health system where people are forced to endure appalling conditions. Are guns and tanks more important than hospital beds and school desks?" he asked.