Joan Burton briefly blocked by protesters in Clondalkin

Joan Burton was blocked by protesters in Clondalkin, Co Dublin, today.

The Tánaiste was attending Musgrave Retail Partners in Fonthill as part of Ireland’s ‘Skills for Work Week’, with her car was stopped from leaving the area for up to 30 minutes.

A group of around 20 protestors was involved. The protesters stood outside a security gate that opens and closes to allow vehicles pass in and out. The group blocked the path of Ms Burton’s vehicle but gardaí slowly inched the car forward until it was able to drive away having passed those present. It was estimated she was delayed before between 15 and 30 minutes.

It's the second time the Labour Party leader has been unable to leave an event due to a protest.

In November, in Jobstown, west Dublin, anti-water charges protesters prevented the car Ms Burton was in from moving for more than two hours.

There were also protests at the Labour Party conference in Killarney. "Protest in Ireland is a cornerstone of our democracy," Ms Burton said at the weekend.