The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, found himself at the centre of angry scenes in Tallaght yesterday as the two sides in a bitter local dispute about a new football stadium clashed.
After turning the sod at the site for the new Shamrock Rovers stadium in Old Bawn, Mr Ahern's car was chased down the road by local schoolchildren angry at his support for the new stadium.
Mr Ahern was booed and jeered by a crowd of more than 100 teachers, pupils and locals angry at his support for the stadium, which they claim is being built on playing fields which should be available to Old Bawn Community School, the largest school in Tallaght.
Mr Ahern's car, flanked by several gardai, arrived at the sod-turning ceremony to loud boos by the crowd who held placards reading "Sod Off", "Where are all the pitches gone?", "Who got the brown envelope?" and "What's the lark in the park?"
Mr Ahern's car could enter the playing field where the ceremony was taking place only after gardai pushed the crowd back. Also booed at the ceremony were the Labour leader, Mr Ruairi Quinn, and local Fianna Fail TD Mr Conor Lenihan.
While Mr Ahern was roundly booed by the demonstrators, a large group of Shamrock Rovers fans cheered him loudly as he went on to the podium to speak about the new stadium - Sean Walsh Memorial Park - which will have a capacity for 6,000 people.
"It wouldn't be Shamrock Rovers if somebody wasn't getting some stick," Mr Ahern told the club's fans, who were some distance from the demonstrators.
After turning the sod, Mr Ahern was once again subjected to loud jeering by the crowd who chanted: "You've lost our vote, you've lost our vote."
As he attempted to get into his car, Mr Ahern decided to talk to the demonstrators. In front of a large crowd from both sides, Mr Ahern had a conversation with Mr Frank McCarthy, the local principal of Old Bawn Community School.
"I have been trying to meet you on this issue for a long time," said Mr McCarthy.
"Well, it won't be sorted out here," replied Mr Ahern, as the crowd went silent for a period. He then told Mr Lenihan to set up a meeting with Mr McCarthy and left as the crowd of schoolchildren trailed behind his car.
Mr McCarthy told The Irish Times the stadium was being given priority over the school, which was losing important space for its pupils. He said "people are being sidelined for profit" and education was being downgraded.
The chairman of Shamrock Rovers, Mr Joe Colwell, said planning permission had been received for the site, it was now "private property" and the stadium would be built.