Cork City Councillors Mick Barry and Ted Tynan and a number of other protesters have been arrested.

The Campaign Against Home and Water Taxes were demonstrating at the Bank Of Ireland on Patrick Street.

They were expressing opposition to the €843,000 payout to the bank's Chief Executive Richie Boucher.

The protesters refused to vacate the premises and were taken to the Bridewell Garda Station under the Public Order Act.

They have since been released without charge.

Speaking to Cork's RedFM on his way to the garda station Councillor Barry said he has no regrets.

He said: "It was a peaceful protest today and it is the top bankers who should be arrested, not people who are standing up for ordinary people.

"They told us that we could protest outside the bank, but not inside the bank, and we said 'No, the crimes that are being committed against ordinary people are sufficiently grave to warrant a protest inside the bank'.

"When they instructed us to leave, we refused to do so.

"I feel I have done nothing wrong, I am proud at taking a stand about what is going on in this country."