Fingal County Council say staff safety is their top priority, after a number of anti-water charge protestors blocked councillors from leaving a meeting last night.

A group had been protesting outside the council's monthly meeting, and they then stopped some council and staff members from leaving the car park afterwards.

It is thought some councillors were detained for up to 90 minutes, as protests continued.

Speaking after the incident, the council's chief executive Paul Reid said: "Although I don't want to make specific comments in relation to the incident that took place...I want to reassure my staff that their personal safety is my priority at all times."

"Council staff had already put in a long day yesterday in preparation, and in support of, our monthly council meeting last night. The fact that they were then blocked in the car park , for a period of time, as they left their place of work was completely unacceptable", he added.

Mr Reid says he has written to all councillors over his "disappointment at the way council staff were treated, and I have reassured councillors and staff that I will continue to put the security and well-being of staff to the forefront of our plans."

Some councillors posted about the incident on social media:

Gardai arrived thankfully pic.twitter.com/JebikmGkfH

— David McGuinness (@CllrMcGuinness) February 9, 2015