Animal rights activists are to stage a mass rally on Dublin's main street later today.
Members of Animal Rights Action Network (Aran) will march down O'Connell Street to raise awareness of the plight of animals used in laboratories, hunting and circus shows.
Campaigners, who are meeting at the Garden of Remembrance, Parnell Square east, at 1.30pm, will carry a banner reading Speak Out For Animal Rights and purple flags symbolising animal liberation along with demonstrators nationwide.
Organisers claim the event is the largest ever to be held in the state. "The good people of Ireland need to know that animals suffer, they need to do something to make sure that the government of Ireland does everything possible in order to put a stop to the most hideous acts of animal abuse," said John Carmody.
"The animals don't stand a chance with this government. It's time something is done about this terrible suffering."
This rally is part of the 9th International Animal Rights Day, which boasts 50 events across the UK, Europe, USA, Canada, South America, Africa, Australia and New Zealand.