By Eoin English

Water charges protesters have stormed a meeting of Cork City Council this evening, forcing the suspension of the meeting.

It followed a failed attempt by Socialist Party Cllr Mick Barry to get a motion on the jailing of five water campaigners in Dublin discussed at the start of the council meeting.

Despite a strong security presence outside the council chamber, about 20 protesters pushed their way in to the council chamber.

They were cheered by about 70 supporters in the public gallery.

The protest forced the suspension of the council meeting.

Campaigner Brian Gould made a speech on the floor of the chamber, calling on councillors to condemn the arrest and jailing of the Dublin protesters.

The stand-off has since resulted in the council meeting being abandoned.