A video has emerged from yesterday's anti-water charge protests which appears to show a vehicle colliding with at least one pedestrian.

Gardai have confirmed that at least one preson was taken to hospital following the incident.

A number of protesters had blocked traffic as they gathered at the junction between Eden Quay and Customer House Quay, just outside Liberty Hall, 

An eyewitnesses report that the SUV allegedly mounted the path and later sped off.

Meanwhile, organisers of yesterday's anti-water charge demonstration hailed the protests as a success.

At least 30,000 turned out, calling for water charges to be scrapped.

People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd-Barrett says the Government needs to realise that people won't back down on this:

Gardaí say 30,000 plus attended the Right2Water demonstration on Merrion Square. Organisers said the figure was closer to 80,000, with others estimating more than 100,000 people were in attendance. The Irish Times, using the CrowdSize App, estimated the protest size at 32,000.

Another national rally is planned for 31st January.

Meanwhile, six people arrested during yesterday's protests in Dublin have been released without charge.

Although the protest was generally peaceful, a number of arrests were made for public order offences.

Four were detained on O'Connell Bridge, when gardaí had to move protesters who were blocking traffic last night.

After the main event - which passed off without incident - finished outside the Dáil at Merrion Square more protests developed at the end of Kildare Street. One garda was hospitalised after being struck by a missile and two people were arrested for public order offences.

Demonstration

There was widespread traffic disruption across the city yesterday afternoon, with traffic at a standstill during the height of the demonstration. Dublin Bus services and the Luas Red Line were affected in the city centre.

Right2Water protesters block traffic on O'Connell Bridge, Dublin after the main meeting in Merrion Sq.

Photo: Photocall Ireland

Demonstrators came from across the country and even further afield with anti-water charge groups from Greece and the US also taking part.

Independent TD Mick Wallace says it is the start of a campaign that will unseat the coalition.

“I do think there will definitely be an election in ’15. I would expect early summer. Worst case scenario they’ll give us a sweet budget and call it straight after in October.

“Right now I would be surprised if they see past the summer,” Mr Wallace said.

“I think (the government) are being served notice... I think Enda Kenny should listen up,” said Mary Lou McDonald TD.

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan MEP said that some people had speculated that a turnout of 50,000 would be “a failure”. He told Newstalk he had heard some estimate the attendance at 70,000:

Before the protest, the Environment Minister insisted nothing was going to change in relation to water charges.