Fences erected along Dublin’s Grand Canal to stop homeless asylum seekers from pitching tents have been pulled down.

It comes after protesters last night gathered in the area calling for the fencing to be removed.

The demonstration in Portobello also called on the Government to stop evicting refugees and homeless people from the canal.

Labour Leader Ivana Bacik attended the protest which was organised by the Community Action Tenants Union (CATU).

In an online post later in the evening, Deputy Bacik said she was “shocked” to return to the area later in the evening to see the barriers “thrown everywhere".

She said pulling down the barriers is “not the answer” for anyone frustrated with the fencing erected by Waterways Ireland.

Shocked to return to #Portobello #GrandCanal this evening to see barriers thrown everywhere.

We are all frustrated at the ⁦⁦@waterwaysirelan⁩ fencing, but this is not the answer.

Thanks to local Gardai for swift action in clearing barriers from paths & roadways. pic.twitter.com/87qbFzZWeK

— Ivana Bacik (@ivanabacik) July 18, 2024

Last night, a Garda spokesperson said a man in his 20s had been arrested in connection with a public order incident in Portobello.

He has since been released without charge.

The barriers have since been re-erected in the area.