Three men from a fathers' group have been bought down from the roof of the West-Link toll plaza after staging a protest there this morning.
The fathers, members of the Unmarried and Separated Fathers of Ireland, climbed up on the apex roof of the southbound pay booths on M50 West-Link at 6am.
The men were brought down shortly before midday and have been taken to Blanchardstown Garda station.
The group claims the men had a list of demands and called on the Government to give fathers recognition.
Group spokesman Ray Kelly said the three men felt they had no choice but to mount a public protest.
“They said they were going to be up there for as long as it takes,” he said. “They are calling for equality, no-fault divorce, and for a meeting with Justice Minister Dermot Ahern. We believe the Government has ignored these issues for too long.”
According to gardaí, the men were in no danger, and traffic was not affected. The protesters held a banner that read "First Class Dad - Second Class Citizen, Protect Our Fathers, Protect Our Children", gardaí added.
Campaigners maintain the protest was the result of a lack of Government action in protecting immediate and extended family members affected by family breakdown.
The group has demanded a public inquiry into the running of the judicial family law system and for a UN Convention on the Rights of a Child to be implemented in Irish family courts. It also called for more resources to be available for family members experiencing suicidal tendencies due to family breakdown.
The Unmarried and Separated Fathers of Ireland is planning a demonstration on Saturday to mark the eve of Father’s Day. It will begin at the 12.30pm at the Four Courts and end at the GPO on O’Connell Street.
Additional reporting PA