Source: Sam Boal

THOUSANDS OF MARCHERS have braved horrible weather to lend their support to a pro choice rally in Dublin today.

The fifth annual march for choice began at 2pm at the Garden of Remembrance north of O’Connell Street before proceeding to Government Buildings on Merrion Square, close to Leinster House.

Source: Sam Boal

Source: Sam Boal

20,000 people and 65 separate groups were expected to march in unison according to the rally’s organisers.

The theme of the rally was ‘Rise and Repeal’, in reference to the Eighth Amendment to the Irish Constitution concerning the equal right to life of both mother and unborn baby.

Source: sam boal

Among the attendees was Minister for Children Katherine Zappone.

Source: Sam Boal

Source: Sam Boal

Source: Sam Boal

Source: sam boal

Earlier, pro life groups held a rebuttal demonstration to the pro choice rally, also in Dublin city centre, at which it was claimed via an actuarial study that in the region of 100,000 lives have been saved by not having abortion-on-demand in Ireland over the last 20 years.

Source: Pro Life Campaign

A Citizens’ Assembly on abortion in Ireland is due to convene for the first time on 15 October.